The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-03-07
CHAPTER v.


He came in briskly, tnquiring OF the
very much puzzled butler for the very
elegant apartments master.
Hes not yet up, sir"
This apparently had not the least de-
terrent effect on the young caller. He
urged his firm athletic frame through
the short hall into the dim illumina-
ton Of the flats reception room. 1t
was evident enough that he had no in
tention of departing, simply because
the master of the house had not yet
risen. Rankin understood that and did
not gainsay him. Wallace had his
privileges as the best friend of the ten
ant of the fat.
Shall tell him you are here?"
Yes said Wallace firmly, and tell
him that want to see him right away.
It's very important. Do you under
stand %
Rankin had already read the morn
ing's papers which were lying in a
neat pile on the table He longed for
fuller news than theirs
Yes, sir" But he hesitated slight
ly. Broadway was an indulgent mas
ter@stiIl, strange things were happen
ing; he was doubtful He said he
didn't wish to be disturbed till Satur-
day, sir
Wallace was not impressed. THAT
doesn't make any difference. You tell
him want to see him.
Yes, sir" But the perfect servant
still hesitated, filled with curiosity
about the previous night Wallace
might enlighten him. He didn't get
home until five o'clock this morning.
He attended some big dfnner-party, 1
believe
Yes: I was there was there! Go
on and call him! Tell him I am wait
ing, I'm going to have a heart, to heart
! talk with that young man"
Yes, sir" said the butler without
Fastening for, he saw that Wallace
had picked up paper from the neat
pile he had made Of all of them upon
| the table.
Great Scott,'' Wallace cried, dis
mayed. a'Here it is on the front page ?'
II beg pardon. Mr.. Wallace, but is it
all true, sir?" o.
/ stWhat?'' ~ -
The story in the morning papers,
sir. about-er-his engagements"
| Il don't know. Someone rang me up
and told me of it. It's what brought
me here. I want to find out if it's
true. left the dinner at 1890. The
engagement, I am told. was announced
shortly after had left. Were you up
when he got home this morning."
Yes, SIR
did he talk of it at all?''
/ eHe-couldn't talk SO very much
SIR
.'Tfpsy?"
Rankin nodded very solemnly.
"Stewed, SIR
Did he come home alone?"
| He came in here. alone. but a crowd
was serenading him upon the sidewalk
for ten minutes after he arrived. 1t
was the wedding march they tried to
sing. l couldn't understand why they
chose that until I read the mornings
papers, SIR
We'll. what do you think of it. Ran
kim"
Rankin shrugged his shoulders, but
did not reply. His instructive loyalty
to his employer, his perfect knowledge
Of his own proprieties prevented that.
'Oh, come o. Wallace urged. You
can tell me. Just between us now"
She's old enough to be his mother
s;r," Rankin said with lowered voice.
she's old enough to be his mothers
motheri" Wallace cried explosively
, Then, with determination: Go OF
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 1t.
MRS. JAMES GERARD's ENGAGE
MENT- -.s..
The Three Times Widow to Shar,
Her. Millions With Broadway's
Efe0 Own jackson Jones.
This Announcement. Which Surprises
New York. was, Made Last Night a
II Dinner-Party Given by the Youn.
Spendthrift in Honor of the Wealth.
i WIDOW"
Wallace dropped the paper an,
looked at It as it lay upon the foo
with discomfort apparent in his coun
tenance. That's the biggest laugl
). New York; Aass had in years" b
) groaned. "Td Ike to
Upon a nearby table the telephon
}, buzzed bnsily.. He went to It.
II Hello, said he. Eyes No