Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1914-02-05


should marry?"
He thought her positively aged as he
looked at her Every wrinkle in her
countenance took on new length, ne"
depth as he observed her. From her
he looked to Jackson. How very young
he seemed! A mere child, in fact.
Why, no." he granted, knowing that
he lied. OF course not. But II didn't
understand. L"
Broadway. himself with nerves I'M
strung almost to hysteria, began to
hum a tune and walk about, endeayor-
ing to look unconscious. Wallace eyed
him with new hope kindling in his
eyes. Was it. after all, jest?
Now see here, Jackson; If you're
trying to fool me l want to know! /
Mrs. Gerard, who had been upon the
point of granting him forgiveness
stiffened in new wrath. There you so
again." she screamed Historically.
Another insult"
Really, Mrs. Gerard, | didn't mean
! it,"
Then what did you mean" The
lady fixed him with baleful glance.
He was entirely undone. Why, I
God knows! l DON'T"
Well" said Jackson, Il thihk | DO.
You're still in doubt as to whether or
not we are really going to be married.
Isn't that it?"
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
expression of his worries with:
But why should he imagine such a
thing? I"
Broadway rose to the occasion, near
ly making Wallace faint with the glib
ease with which he used endearing
words when talking to the ancient
dame. Just a moment, sweetheart
dearie-please Then he turned to
Wallace. Come on, now; tell me the
truth"
We'll, l 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-"
'Ill put you right It'll all true.
We're engaged. We're going to De
married and we expect to be very hap
py. Do you believe it, now"
why, certainly, if you say So" His
next question was of Mrs. Gerard.
NAV / ask how long you've been en-
gaged?"
I'VE became engaged last night at
dinner.
That's right. 1t was last night at
dinner" her fiance corroborated. 1T
was during the ice cream"
1T all happened in moment, said
the bride-elect
Just like this" said Jackson. See?
Only one question asked: Will you
marry me-? And l said Yes"
"What?" cried his Mortified inamo-
/ rata.
81 mean she said yes Beatrice said
YES" corrected Jackson.
Were going to spend our honey
moon in SPAIN" she gushed, restored
to a good temper by Broadway's expla
nation.
SPAIN" 1t was Wallace who ex
claimed
Yes, SPAIN" said Broadway, toe
eIated at the thought of finding cash
to pay bills to be worried about any
thing. I'm going out this afternoon
TO buy a sombrero and a tambourine
Won't you congratulate us, Wallace"
But Wallace simply could not trust
his ears. Jackson, if you're trying tt
fool me-"
There he goes again." cried the
now thoroughly Infatuated brideelect
jackson, I'm not going to stay here
and be insulted in such a manner!"
There! There!" Jackson soothed
following her as she essayed to leave
the room >s'Don't be worried. Mr.
Wallace only thinks we're fooline
him"
But why should he think such {
thing?"
Wallace, again. contrite approached
and started to apologize. She waved
him back with a wild hand.
Leave MIN 10 me, uedr, JdChsoA
urged her. I'm five minutes I'll con
vince him that 1t all is absolutel!
true"
She was comforted a little by his
tone. Then you won't come for {
drive?"
stop for me in, say. half an hour.
well, I'll run along, then. l mus
get the air. All this has given me {
dreadful headache"
Jackson turned reproachfully t.
Wallace. See what you've done? l.
, Bye bye, dearie!" cried his fiancee.
Bye bye, sweetheart"
"In half an hour?"
About that"
Don't you listen to that mani" This
in a warning tone.
| No; I'm going to make him lister
to me-"
/ ooh, you dear boyi Bye bye, dearie!
She waved plumply wrinkled hand a
: him, and left the two young men alone
together.
Say, are you going crazy?" wer,
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