Pocahontas star herald., 1914-02-13


eyed. though he saw that she Was sure
Of his antagonism and reciprocsted II. e
No" he snapped. IL was as an aft
erthought he added: 'Thanksi"
You went away early last night"
she ventured. still with the honoyed
smile.
Yea"
You didn't wait for the announce
ment"
No"
Were you surprised when you heard
it-
staggered"
The smile deepened. She was most
offensive In her victory. Il thought
You would be. What do you think OF
Il all?"
He made no reply. merely casting at
her a malevolent, sidelong glance
Il say what do you think OF It all7"
What do you think OF II. yourself?"
4 am as happy As n little birdy In n
treetop." she replied. assuming airs
reserved for maidens OF sixteen.
Against his will. indeed. TO his as
tonishment. he burst into a roar OF
laughter.
She looked at him with natural In
dignation
You'll pardon me. Mrs. Gerard" he
said apologetically. but was think
ing OF something funny"
Something that just happened?"
she said suspiciously.
NO" he replied earnestly, some
thing that happened years ago"
For a moment thought you were
laughing at me-" she admitted.
"Oh, Mrs. Gerard-how could your"
She was pacihed. Taking herself
with perfect seriousness she did not
fail TO credit others with the same in
tention. Il know I'm horribly touchy
In some respects" She would gaily.
almost babyishly Mother always
calls me a silly child"
His astonishment was genuine.
Your motherl Is your mother still
living?"
why, yes; OF course. And what
motherl" she cried enthusiastically.
What a wonderful motherl Sixty
fivel"
AS she had herself at least reached
that age. he felt himself pardonable
for interpreting her meaning as he did.
"sixty-five children? Reallyl"
No. nor
No, OF course not" he admitted.
What anvil thinking Off"
"Ten children" said the ancient
sweetheart OF his friend. Five boys,
five girls. The baby they always call
me-
He was literally withered by the
bold effrontery OF this. II seemed in
credible even to the bald complac ency
OF this extraordinary dame. But he
was young and rapid of recovery. 81
suppose he suggested with mild eye
and an inquiring air, that most Of
the boys are still going to SCHOOL,"
why, Of course rct!" She seemed
TO h. taAins him quite seriously. to be
pleased, in fact. "They all marriedg
Foolish youngstersl"
oh, don't know. married my
first husband when was eighteen. Her
eyes grew reminiscent. When she
spoke II was as II she made oonces.
sion OF unwelcome truth to him be-
cause he was a friend--a confidential
friend. That's twonty years ago!"
He was losing patience with the
woman. DO you mean to tell me that
you're
'Shl" she cautioned playfully. Il
don't tell my age to everyonel'
i can readily understand thatH
How old are you, Mr. Wallace?" sho
asked sweetly. evidently pleased at
the establishment Of confidential rels-
tons with this, Broadway's most Inti-
mate friend.
I'll be twelve in October" he re-
piled with calm smile.
'rwelve!" She paused and then
burst into her small caclSle of artificial
laughter. "Oh, see; you want me to
add about twenty to thatl"
Yes" he exclaimed ungallantly, dis
gustedly, "and add about thirty more
to your own"
What" She was instantly indig-
nant. not uanaturally.
"oh. consa now. Mrs. Gerard" ne