The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-02-25
~ NV ITN- PlA III I1JRILIIOUNA MN o~~nT@a NewA

- "oo CAY q NSo4 VIVIAN
man and his thoughts refused to form
a word to suit his wild emotions.
She turned to him. won't you join
US, Mr.. Wallace?" Her voice was hon
eyed, though he saw that she was sure
Of his antagonism and reciprocated it.
NO." he snapped. 1t was as an aft
erthought he added: "Thanks!"
you went away early last night
she ventured, still with the honeyed
smile.
YES"
you didn't wait for the announce
ment."
mo"
Were you surprised when you heard
ft?" 3
staggered"
The smile deepened. She was most
offensive in her victory. II thought
you would be. What do you think Of
it all?"
AS he thus apologized, Disguised
worried, even frightened by the mud
die in which his friend had 80 involved
himself, entirely ignorant Of the sorry
cause which had led Broadway to the
fatal step, that young man entered
from the hall, having efaced as many
traces as he could of the wild night
and rightly clothed himself for morn
ing callers. AS he advanced he
hummed a stanza from some cabaret
favorite which ran, monotonously: :"
love you; oh, I love you'll"
She looked at him with natural In
dignation.
You'll pardon me, Mrs. Gerard" he
said apologetically, "but I was think
ing Of something funny"
something that just happenedT'
! she said suspiciously.
mo-" he replied earnestly, some
thing that happened years ago."
For a moment I thought you were
laughing at me-" she admitted.
"Oh, Mrs. Gerard-how could you?"
She was pacifed. Taking herself
with perfect seriousness she did moi
fail to credit others with the same in
tention. ." know I'm horribly touchJ
in some respects" She would gaily
almost babyishly. Mother always
calls me a silly child"
His establishment was genuine
Your mother! Is your mother still
living?"
why, yes; Of course. And E1at
mother!" she cried enthusiastically
What a wonderful mother! Sixty
five!"
AS she had herself at least reached
that age, he felt himself pardonable
for interpreting her meaning as he did
"Sixty-five children? Really" z
mo, MOI" -
mo, of course not" he admitted
What am 1 thinking of"
"Ten children" said the ancient
sweetheart Of his friend. Five boys
five girls. The baby they always cal
me-"
He was literally withered by the
bold effrontery Of this. 1t seemed In
credible even to the bald complacencJ
of this extraordinary dame. But he
was young and rapid Of recovery. "a
suppose" he suggested with mild eye
and an inquiring air, that most Of
the boys are still going to school?"
why, Of course mott" She seemed
to be taking him quite seriously, to be
pleased, in fact. They all married."
Foolish youngsters!" ..
ooh, I don't know. I married my
first husband when I was eighteen. Hell
eyes grew reminiscent When she
spoke 1t was as If she made conces
sion of unwelcome truth to him be
cause he was a friend-a confidential
friend. That's twenty years ago!"
He was losing patience with the
woman. do you mean to tell me thai
you're"
SSH" she cautioned playfully. 81
don't tell my age to everyone!"
81 can readily understand that"
How old are you, Mr.. Wallace?' she
asked sweetly, evidently pleased al
the establishment Of confidential rela
tons with this, Broadway's most init
mate friend.
It'll be twelve in October" he re
piled with a calm smile.
"Twelve!" She paused and Their
burst into her small cackle Of artificial
laughter. "Oh, I see; you want me tc
add about twenty to that"
YES" he exclaimed ungallantly, dis
gustedly, "and add about thirty more
to your own"
What" She was instantly indig
nant, not un~naturally.
ooh, come, now, Mrs. Gerard" he
urged. you don't expect me to be
lieve that YOU"
She was thoroughly indignant. How
dare you, sir! Do you know what
you're saying"
"T know what I'd like to say" he
confessed, looking steadfastly at her.
About WHAT"
"Abou your engagement to young