The Huttig news., 1914-02-14

SaiHS HeIe ht slpy dS a 1aFk, she said complainingly, "but now I'm ter 1 ribly upset"
 Why, what has happened to my lit tie round of pleasure?" He smiled serenely, worshipfully into her scarce ly hidden wrinkles.
 This man mas been saying terrible things to me"
 Jackson whirled reproachfully upon his friend. Why, Bob! What have you been saving tc my little Beatrice ?'
 "Qh, don't" implored the utterly disgusted Wallace.
 Tell me- Jackson begged in com | forting tones of the excited widow: i what has he been saying to you?''
 Calling fl ridiculous match, say l ing that I shouldn't take you serious ly, intimating that you didn't really i love me, and" l She was very close to tears. but fought them back for the sake of a complexion which she feared might not be waterproof
 Broadway went with an accusing mien to Wallace. You said these things"
 Yes, said that young person. un- ashanied those and a great many nlere..'
 Bob Wallace, I'm surprised, Shame on youi"
 Wallace scarcely was prepared for this. Now see here, Jackson. I--"
 He did not complete the sentence. but seized his old friend by the lapels ef his coat as if to bear him from the room to some spot where unworried by the lady's presence, he could talk or hammer sense into his head.
 But Broadway would not have this. He pulled away with emphasis Don't do that. Don't do that.s he cried. ''You'ye-you've insulted my future wife and l demand apologies,''
 Were all his plans for paying up bis debts to be thus put at naught? Was i his first venture as a financier to be thus nullified? He thought not,
 You mean to say you're going to be married 2" "Of course we're going to be mar. riod,' Mrs. Gerard said very snappily "Of course we're going to be mar. sied' Broadway echoed with qus,k lance al her which Wallace thought held something indicating apprehen- sion
 He stood aside with face all woe-be- gone, worried and amazed. If this 1 thing-this unthinkable, unbelievable insanity-was seriously planned by | his young friend. if he had actually passed his word, why then, of course, nothing more was to be said upon the subject
 Very well then; I apologize" he said deiectedly.
 Not to me-" said Jackson grandly, ''to the lady"
 Wallace went to her in humility of attitude, but in revolt of soul. Mrs Gerard" Che never before had found il difficult to avoid profanity in a lady's presenee), T offer a thousand apolo gies."
 She was not convinced of his sin cerity, which was not ill the leest sur prising. After such impertinence don't know that l ought to acee pt youl apology"
 But, don't you see? I the Ight il was all joke
 This was a new offense. "Bt why should you think such thing? Ks 1t at all unusual that people in love should marry?"
 He thought her positively ages, aE he l looked at her. Every wrinkle In her countenance took on new length. ltew depth as he observed her. From ter he looked to Jackson How very young he seemed. A mere child. in fact
 Why. mo- he granted, knowing that he lied. Of course not But Tx didn t understand T."
 Broadway, himself with nerves un- 1 strung almost to hysteria, began to i hum tune and walk about, endeaV TOT ing to look unconscious. Wallace, eyed him with new hope kindling in his eyes. Was it, after all, jest?
 Now see here. Jackson: if you're trying to fool me want to know, I-'
 Mrs. Gerard, who had been upon the l point of granting him forgive ness l stiffened in new wrath. There you go again." she screamed hysteric ally Another insult,'
 Really, Mrs. Gerard, didn't mean l it."
 Then what did you mean?" The lady fixed him with baleful glance
 He was entirely undone 'sW by, l. God knows! l don't!'
 We'll said Jackson, T think I do You're still in doubt as to whetiser ol not we are really going to be married 1 isn't that it?'
 Put thus lucidly and simply, Wallace ,ould not definitely deny that that ex plained his mental state. He hac opened his distressed lips to admit this w''en Mrs. Gerard prevented the expression of his worries with:
 But why should he imagine such a thing? I-"
 Broadway rose to the occasion near ly making Wallace faint with the giit ease with which he used endearing words when talking to the ancient dame. Just moment, sweetheart