Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-01-07


decoration in the center of the table
and said gravely, SO that all might
hear, although he was addressing nc
one but the lobster:
you may be big, old chap, but
know bigger lobster than you ever
were"
It happened at that instant that
pause had come in the excited ICY.
BUSINESS about him-one of those brief,
unexpected silences which never fail
at least once in every dinner.party, to
reveal to everyone some saying which
the sayer wished to have unheard by
the majority. Always It is something
awkward, inadvertent, stupid or un
wholesome which is thus made bla.
family the property of everybody's
ears. This night it was our young
hosts confidential statement to the
great, red decorative lobster in the
center of his dinner table.
There was chorus Of inquiry. II
Broadway knew a bigger lobster,
who was he, and where?
hC Soi ioIui, DIOdQNdy DOu l. udIle
any friend of ours! We'd get peevish.
for that is-some-lobster"
who is It, Broadway"
Name, Broadway; name!" demand.
ed the whole tableful
Gloomy and dissatisfied with that
life which he loathed to quit, yet felt
that he could not continue, Broadway
rose and bowed. I'm it," he an
swered. 'T."
Protests chorused.
What hard-hearted girl has turned
you down, Broadway" asked the love
ly rnez.
"Who is it, Broadway? Who could
possibly have the heart or been the
fool to do it?"
Mrs. Gerard, his neighbor, bent op
him a glance SO .languishing that he al
most had to turn his face away.
mo girl has ever turned me down."
he said, endeavoring to be gay. "No
girl has ever had chance TO turn me
down. | mean"
Realizing that this did not sound
gallant, being instinctively, by nature,
a gallant, he WOULD have modified it
IL he could, but the howl Of approba
tion which arose fTcm all the men, the
chorus of mock criticism which arose
from all the women, drowned his voice
From all the women except one. That
one sat on his right, that woman was
widow and was worth million.
mo girl could turn you down." she
murmured.
All, that thought which so repeat.
edly had festered in his brain! Here
were millions which admired him!
Here were millions which would pay
the debts which had piled up. which
would make the bottle with the
crimson label and the weapon with the
blued-steel barrel quite unnecessary! /!
Here We're millions which would solve
the last one of his difficulties and for
which, if he accepted them, he could
offer adequate return. in a devotion
which should be at once that of a son
for an indulgent mother and a near.
drowned man for his rescuer! Why
not! Why not? Why not marry Mrs.
Gerard:
mo girl could turn you down." had
been her words
In the hurly-burl.1 of the questions
and the answers. the frolic and the
nonsense, he scarcely had an opportu.
nifty to speak to her in tender words
but he answered her by scribbling on
her menu card: %.
Couldn't your"
He felt certain that she gasped with
pleasure.
Why do you say such things?" she
scribbled.
Because love you" the unfortu
nate youth answered .
Il love you, too." she scribbled In
reply.
. ! What sort of game are you tive
playing there?" demanded Robert Wal
lace gaily.
, Don't interrupt, Bob,' Broadway or
dered, TITS new kind of game ot
hearts. IT'S played with menu cards
Shut up!"
He turned again to his delighted, Il
ancient partner in the novel pastime
ut can't be true" he scribbled.
TT is true" she wrote
"Will you marry me?" he scrawled
With coy look Mt him which mad,
him feel little faint, but without al
instant's hesitation, EYES," she an
swered.
1t was trem endously to the relief o
the young host that Bob Wallace, a
about this moment, rose and said tina
he must leave.
10 Be Continued
IF YOU DESIRE A PIANO