Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-01-29

held something indicating apprehen
sion.
He stood aside With face all woe-be
gone, worried and amazed. # this
thing-this unthinkabIe, unbelievable
insanity-was seriously planned by
his young friend, If he had actually
passed his word, why then, of course
nothing more was to be said upon the
subject.
Very wen then; I apologize he
said dejectedly.
Not to me" said Jackson grandly,
.to the lady"
Wallace went to her In humility OF
attitude, but in revolt of soul, Mrs.
Gerard" Che never before had found it
dif1cuIt to avoid profanity in a lady's
presence), II offer asthousand apollo
giles"
She was not convinced OF his sim
cerity, which was not in the least sur
prising. after such impertinence /
don't know that I ought to accept your
apology"
But, don't you see? ! thought it
WAS dill a. JOKE
This was a new ofense. But why
should you think such a thing? Is it
at all unusual that people in love
should marry?"
He thought her positively aged as he
looked at her Every wrinkle in her
c~ountenance took on new length, new
depth as he observed her. From her
he looked to Jackson. How very young
he seemed! A mere child, in fact.
sWhy,. no." he granted, knowing that
he lied. OF course not. But III didn't
understand. r.
Broadway, himself with nerves un-
strung almost to hysteria, began to
hum a tune and walk about, endeavor-
ing to look unconscious. Wallace eyed
him with new hope kindling in his
eyes. Was it, after all, a jest?
Nov see here, Jackson; If you're
trying to fool me I want to know! II
Mrs. Gerard, who had been upon the
point of granting him forgiveness,
stiffened in new wrath. There you go
again!" she screamed Historically.
Another INSULT"
Really, Mrs. Gerard, ]. didn't mean
It."
Then what did you meant" The
lady fixed him with baleful glance.
He was entirely undone. "Why, T.
! God knows! I don't!"
"Well,'' said jackson, * think / do.
You're still in doubt as to whether on
not we r really going to be married,
Isn't that ito"
Put thus lucidly and simply, Wallace
could not definitely deny that that ex.
planned his mental state. He had
opened his distressed lips to admit
this when Mrs. Gerard prevented the
oppression of his worries with:
But why should he imagine such a
thing? Il"
Broadway rose to the occasion, near.
ly making Wallace faint with the glib
ease with which he used endearlng
words when talking to the ancient
dame. Just a moment, sweetheart
dearie-please!" Then q etdfned to
Wallace. Come on, nowS tell me the
truth"
We'll. I will admit" said his mis-
erably heartsick friend, that at first
/ did think it was a joke. But
"And you're not quite satisfied yet
that 1t is not?"
why, Of course, if you say-why-'
I'll put you right. It'll all true
We're engaged. We're going to- be
married and we expect to be very hap
by. Do you believe it, now?"
why, certainly, If you say So" His
next question was Of Mrs. Gerard
May / ask how long you've been en-
gaged?"
I'VE became engaged last night al
dinner"
That's right. It was last night al
dinner" her f1ance c~orroborated. "It
was during the ice cream"
cit all happened In moment" said
the bride-elect.
Gust like this" said Jackson. "seet