Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-05-28

"Oh come on" Wallace urged. you
can tell me. Just between US now"
She's old enough to be his mother,
sir" Rankin said with lowered voice.
She's old enough to be his mothers
motherl" Wallace cried explosively
Then, with determination: Go on
and tell him that want to see him.
Hurry up!"
Rankin yielded.
These were the headlines OF the item
Wallace had perused with such dis.
may upon the first page of the news.
paper. There were columns of it.
MRS. JAMES GERARD'S ENGAGE.
MENT.
THE Three Times Widow to Share
Her Millions With Broadway's
Own Jackson Jones.
This Announcement, Which Surprised
New York. Was Made Last Night at
Dinner-Party Given by the Young
Spendthrift In Honor Of the Wealthy
Widow"
Wallace dropped the paper and
looked at It as II lay upon the floor
with discomfort apparent In his coun.
tenance. That's the biggest laugh
New York has had In years." he
groaned. "Fd like to-"
Upon nearby table the telephone
buzzed busily. He went to 1t.
Hello" said he. yes. No;
this is Mr.. Wallace speaking.
No; not Mr.. Jones. I am friend OF
his. No; he can't come to the
phone. He's dressing Il
can't make an appointment for you.
|. What's the name? Yes;
I have It: Peter Pembroke.
You must see him todayf
Very well. I'll tell him. Say
you'll calf All right. I'll tell
him. Good-by.s
He returned from the phone as Ran
kin reappeared. wake him. did your
yes, sir. He'll be dressed in about
ten minutes" He hustled about the
room. gathering up the newspapers. Il
told him had just read Of his engage
mert and congratulated him"
What did he sayr'
Nothing. sir; Just asked for the pa
pers and whisky sour. He says be
sure and wait"
"Oh, I'll wait, all right"
There was something stronger than
mere acQuiescence In the young mans
voice. There was determination In 1t;
the determination of a man who has q
plan in mind. Thus might fond, but
angry father speak, who held a rod In
pickle for the erring son for whom he
waited.
Fiercely he paced the room until his
steps. half way to the outer hall, were
arrested by the buzzing Of the door.
bell. Rankin, who had started with
the whisky sour and newspapers for
his masters door, turned back and put
them on table.
Another early caller!" he COM
planned The situation had begun to
get On his nerves.
IF it's a newspaper reporter tell him
Mr. Jones Is out of town"
yes, sir"
Wallace felt his nerves rasp as he
heard the voice which greeted Rankin
in the hall 1t was not that OF a jour
nalist, but that of the fair and ancient
widow to whom Jackson was alleged
to be afianced. For moment he con-
sidered flight, but he was made OF
sterner stuff and held himself in check.
The lady swept into the room.
II was evident that she was Just a
bit nonplussed at seeing him, but she
recovered quickly; she had had much
experience with the emergencies OF
life.
Good morning. Mr.. Wallace" she
said sweetly.
Her age, he noted. showed more
plainly in the daytime, despite the arts
which she invoked to hide II. He had
not seen her previously, save by arti.
fetal light
He was shocked. She made him
think of the unpleasant mother OF an
unpleasant boyhood schooImate. He
had hated all of them. Exactly as this
old woman now was smiling that old
woman Of his early youth had smiled
when she with diabolical ingenuity had
been devising comprehensive plans for
spelling days fishing.
His greeting Of Mrs. Gerard was
very formal, but she did not seem to
mind.
Where is Mr.. Jones7" she asked
Rankin.
He's dressing, ma'am."
We'll, tell him am here and wait,
ing to take him for spin through the
park. Say to him that it's glorious
morning"
There was an JUNCTION in her tones,
a hint OF triumph and proprietorship
which maddened Wallace. Could II be
possible that his good friend was to be
linked in wedlock with this--er-this--