The Arvada enterprise., 1914-01-01
CHAPTER x.-ContInued.

Well" answered Tom, trying not
TO show his irritation at Blakes tone.
"I-tb fact isl want to get mar
ried.'
THE blazes you do. Is that boast
or Il confession?"
81 don't quite understand you," said
Tom stihly
Il mean" began his father, 81 mean
oh, never mind all that. Who's the
girl?"
Before tell you.' evaded Tom. I'D
like to get your views on the PROPOSE
ton in general"
In general?" repeated Blake. Son,
marriage is never proposition in
general! Because every woman is an
exception that proves no rule. You
can't classify 'em any more than you
can classify a nest of hornets that
you happen to step into. Hells full of
women. Sos Heaven, l guess. But
neither class got to either place by
following any proposition in general
Tell me-" he demanded, his philosoph
ical mood changing in flash to one
of almost savage intentness. "is this
girl the sort who can help you in get
ting where want to put you?"
How can l tell? You've never told
me just where you intended to put
me"
Then I'll tell you now. There's no
real need in your sailing any farther
under sealed orders. I've made you
pretty fair lawyer. You'll have one
more term as assistant district attor
ney. Then one as district attorney.
Then as attorney-general After that
a term or two in the cabinet-just to
get the run Of things
There's only one thing left" said
Tom, almost In awe, as his father hes
itated.
''Yes?" replied Blake grimly. We'll,
maybe that won't be left when we get
through. Now you can see why the
girl must be Of good family and have
social position and breeding and all
that kind of thing. Those are the
things I'm shy on. And my children
must make 1t up for me. This girl
you want to marry-can she help you?
Can you take her with you-right up
to the White House?"
Il don't know" returned Tom.
you see, I've never thought of her as
a political asset Happiness means
good deal more to me than position.
I've already told her so. L"
Told her so? Then-then, you've
asked her to marry you?"
She's refused me-so far"
'Well!" grinned Blake, vastly re-
lieved. That's far enough. | guess.
Don't go overplaying your luck"
I'm going to stick at 1t till | win
OUT" declared Tom. And I'm"
No, no! Don't do crazy thing like
that son." pleaded Blake. Take your
medicine like man. Don't keep on
pestering the poor girl By the way.
you haven't told me who she is"
she's" faltered Tom; then, TAX
ing the plunge, he blurted out: she's
Miss Kelly"
"Kelly?" repeated Blake. mystified.
Yes. Wanda Kelly, the phone op-
orator downstairs"
What?" exploded Blake.
Then he collapsed in the nearest
chair and stared In blank helplessness
at his son.
Well" demanded Tom, instantly on
the defensive.
lts-it's bum Joke" growled
Blake. Maybe it'd go better with the
banjo. Stop guying me, boy, and tell
me who the girl really Is"
y told you" repeated Tim. She
Is Wanda Kelly"
There was dead pause. Blake at
last broke It.
There's about forty.fiye million
women In the United States" he NUT
tered dazedly. "and out of that whole
lot. you had to go and-and fall in love
with"
What's your objection" bristled
Tom, you don't even know her, yet"
I don't hey?" retorted Blake.
Then, checking the impulse to tell
his son the story OF his verbal tilt
with Wanda, he added
-, Maybe | don't. But know her
dnd. She's after a rich mans son.