The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-04-10

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very much puzzled butler for the very
elegant apartments master.
He's 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 fats 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 fiat.
Shall l 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
VI hO"o a. SSlCllS.
Eyes, sir" But he hesitated slight
ly. Broadway vas an indulgent mas.
ter-still, 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 I want to see him"
Yes. sir" But the perfect servant
still h~esitated, filled with curiosity
about the previous night. Wallace
might enlighten him. He didn't get
home until i've o'clock this morning.
He attended some big dinner-party, /
| believe"
Eyes; I was there-T was there! Go
on and call him! Tell him | 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 a paper from the neat
pile he had made of all of them upon
the table.
Great Scott" Wallace cried, dis
mayed. Here 1t Is on the front page?"
Il beg pardon, Mr.. Wallace, but is it
all true, sir?"
WHAT"
THE story in the morning papers,
sir, about-er-his engagement"
II don't know. Someone rang me I'D
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, am told, was announced
shortly after | had left. Were you up
when he got home this morning?"
Eyes, sir"
did he talk Of 1t at all?'
"He-couldn't talk so very much,
SIR"
"Tipsy?"
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. couldn't understand why they
chose that until I read the mornings
papers, sir"
Well, 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.
ooh, 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.
shes old enough to be his mothers
mother!" Wallace cried ~explosively.
Then, with determination: go on
and tell him that I 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.
1.-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
a Dinner.P Party Given by the Young
Spendthrift in Honor OF the Wealthy
Widow"
Wallace dropped the paper and
looked at it as 1t lay upon the floor
with discomfort apparent in his coun-
tenance. That's the biggest laugh
New York has had in years" he
groaned. "I'd like to-"
Upon q nearby table the telephone
buzzed busily. He went to II.
Hello" said hal Eyes. No: