The Glenwood post., 1914-02-14

thing that happened years ago.
For q moment I thought yoa we're
laughing at me-" she admitted.
oh, Mrs. Gerard-how could YOU"
She vas paciAed. Taking herself
With perfect seriousness she did not
fail to credit others with the aane in
tentioa. 4 know In horribly touchy
in sons respscts." She would gaily,
almost habyishly. Mother always
calls ne . silly child"
His astonishneat was genuine.
"Yosr mother! L. your mother still
hving!
Why. yes: Of course. And What q
nother!" sAs cried enthusiastically.
What . voAderful mother! Sixty
Avs!"
A she had herself at least reached
that age, he felt himself pardonable
for interpreting her meaning a. he did.
"Sixty-dve children! Really"
No, no."
No. Of course not" he admitted
What am thinking of"
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 e6rontery Of this. 1t seemed in
credible even to the bald complacency
of this extraordinary dame But he
was young and rapid of recovery. Il
suppose" he suggested with mild eye
and an inquiring air, that most OF
the boys are still going to school?"
why. Of course mott" She seemed
to be taking him quite seriously, to be
pleased, in fact. They all married."
Foolish youngsters"
oh. don't know. married my
nrst husband when was eighteen. Her
eyes grew reminiscent When she
spoke It vas - IL she made conces-
sion Of uawelcome truth to him BE-
cause - vas . friend-a confidential
friend. That's twenty years aeo!"
He vas losing patience with the
woman. DO you mean to tell me that
you'ro-"
"sh!" she cautioned playfully. Il
doat tell my age to everyons!"
Il can readily understand that"
How Old are you. Mr.. Wallacs!" she
asked sweetly. evidently pleased at
the establishment of conhdential rela.
tions with this. Broadvay's most init.
mate friend.
I'll b twelve in October" hs 70
piled with calm smile.
Twelve!" She paused and then
burst into her small cackls oe ARTIFICIAL
laughter. "Oh. see; You want ne to
~ about twsnty to that"
'Yss." he exclaimed ungallantly, dis
gustedly. and add about thirty more
70 your own"
What" She was instantly indig.
nant, not unnaturally.
~Oh. come. now. Mrs. Gerard" he
urged. You don't expect me to b.
lieve that YOU"
She was thoroughly indignant How
dare you. sir! Do you know what
you're sayins!"
Il know what I'd like to say" -
ooafssssd. looking stsadfastly at her.
.Abeat what?"
About your sngaSsnent to young
Mr.. Jonss. Why. you're not taking the
chap seriously. are your"
Her anger grew. What do yos
nean-
"Just what say" he answered Arm
ly. That its all wrong. It's impos-
sible. The idea Of . woman Of your
age imagining for 4 moment that this
boy h fool enough to think Of such =
thing! Do you stop to think what peo-
pie will say? Don't you realize that 1t
can't be? That it's simply preposter-
ous! Why"
"Are you trying to insult me, sir!"
NO" he answered earnestly, I'm
trying to save you from being humili-
ated and laughed at. Deny the story
at once. Say it was all \ joke. Say
anything, but for heavens sake don't
let 1t 60 any further!"
She gaxed at him in speechless
wrath while he nervously paced the
room.
'tSsrsly." he said whirling, you
don't think hs seriously considers mar
rying your
"And Why not." Her icy tone was
full Of outraged dignity.
because It would be . ridiculous
match. Give It serious thought You're
. sensible woman. figure 1t out for
yourself. Why, you're more than twice
his aGs!"
"0ir!"
Why. he's only twsnty.nvs-not
that, yst"
She GaSsd a& him In spoocAlsos rage
for twsaty seconds. thea said, s1pIo-
sively: "You-bsute!"
Tn your friend" he urged. I'm
trying to help you. I'm trying to save
you from being made tie laughing
stock Of the town"
DO yoa nssA 70 insinuats that
Jacksoa dossa't love net"
"Jacksoa dossnt love aayoas sxcsp<
. good tine. Why, he 1ossar take
anything sseioasly. especially women.
To my knsvls1gs he's bosa sagaeed