Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-02-19

yes; and I think I know what Il
is"
Something the young fellow did?'
I'm afraid So"
Nothing wrong!"
. 81 hope not"
The judge spoke with emphasis, and
he thought himself a really good Judge
of human nature. 'Oh, I'm sure it
can't be. If I can estimate character,
that young man is incapable of any
thing but good" He looked at BROAD
way almost with a fatherly affection.
Hes a great friend of yours. my
boy"
II should say he isl"
Broadway gazed after them, wonder
ing what all Of this would end in. But
he was lot greatly worried. Indeed,
he felt singularly lignt-hearted, and
found it hard to choke back laughter
when he heard the judge expostuht.
ing with his wife, referring to the
early evening hour as II it had been
midnight. Come on, ma" the old man
was arguing, almost pettishly, we've
got to get toward home. It's after
seven o'clock already!"
She sighed. She did not wish to go.
She had eve before had an oppor-
tunity to poke around in the great
Jones house, filed with treasures from
far countries, books in foreign Ian
guages, family portraits by extraor-
binary painters who could make a hui
man face look like a granite mask,
Rogers statuettes and other objects Of
high art, to say nothing of ornate and
mastodonic articles of mahogany fur
niture-solid, not veneered, and up
holstered in the very slipperiest hair
. cloth.
TITS after seven o'clock" the judge
repeated.
Yes, l suppose we must be going"
said his wife reluctantly.
Mons generally abed by eight
the judge said proudly.
Except Saturday nights" she
granted. II sometimes sit up till ten
On Saturdays" This was evidently dis
sipation SO extraordinary that she told
Of it only in the strictest confidence.
But then" she added, I'VE sleep till
all hours Sunday. Sometimes I don't
get up till after ski"
She smiled at Broadway: he smiled
gafly. back at her and choked a word of
comment which had risen to his lips.
That gave him, in his heart, a queer
feeling Of elation-almost as great as
that which he had felt after he had lee
tured Pembroke. Broadway felt, and
glori1ed in the feeling, that he was
growing up with great rapidity.
Come on, Clara" Mrs. Spotswood
called. The two girls were in a porch
swing, giggIing.
You're not all going to leave me,
are you?" Broadway said protestingly.
Clara, who had risen obedientIy,
looked about the group. Where's Mr..
Wallace?" she demanded. Her inter
est in him was constant. She had
heard nothing of the elder Wallace's
arrival.
He's gone to take a stroll with his
father"
ooh, is his father here?" This aston
ished and excited her. ooh, I'm just
crazy to see him! Aren't you, Josie?"
IT should like to, yes"
Jackson pleaded with the Judge and
Mrs. Spotswood. you don't mind if
Clara stays a little while dc your"
Then he turned to Josie. you're not
in a hurry, are you, Miss R~ichards?"
why no; but"
please don't go" he urged. 81 can't
bear to be left alone"
WELL" said Mrs. Spotawood, with
the best of humor, you girls remain
here and keep Broadway company till
Mr.. Wallace gets back" She turned
to her husband. Its all right, isn't
it, judge?"
Eyes, 1 guess so, 'he agreed, with
out too much enthusiasm. "But don't
be late, Clara"
II won't, pa"
With much Strengthening Of her best
silk skirts, with many smiles from and
for Broadway, with a futtering in her
heart when she thought about young
Wallace and her daughter. Mrs. Spots,
wood took the judges arm majestical-
ly Good night, ~Broaeray; had a
lovely time"
ly hoped she had.
She nodded. Sorry sanrny acted
so mean"
now, all r1ghS," Ea1d Jack
son ~reassuripgly.
That's what I keep telling her" the
Judge complained.
She shook her head in depreciation
of sucH-praises for a member of her
family. PA, you've spoiled that boy"
The judge protested in his usual
way. MON, pleased" he pleaded. He
did not want a long discussion about
this just then. He grinned at Broad
way reassuringly. Good night, my
boy. See you in the morning"