The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-05-07
her hands deep in her pockets. THIS
was Nan Willard, and Jerry did some


was Nan Willard. and Jerry did some
hard thinking on her account. Before
the coming Of Mrs. Hamilton she had
been Marbury's principal concern in
life.
Did Miss Millard." Jerry began,
and stopped short, lingering the pearl
studs on the bed. He had almost
thought ont loud. 81 mean. Uncle Ger
aid, which are you going to marry?"
Marbury's fingers fumbled over his
ties In the drawer. He missed Kato's
ministrations.
Il like Nan the best" Jerry added
In what he tried to make an Offhand
manner.
so do |, old man, come to think
Of it," Marbury answered between his
teeth. Trouble Is the ladies have the
preference. You can't club them and
race for the nearest honeymoon cave.
you know. Miss Willard is not ac-
cepting a man with only ten thousand
year. She lacks the essential femi-
nine quality of sympathy, which is a
bit beyond you. isn't it, Jerry?'
HAS the widow got it?" asked
Jerry earnestly. Marbury stared at
him fixedly.
'HOw do you know she's widow ?"
''If she's Mrs Somebody. you
couldn't marry her unless she was,
could your"
Marbury was silent Oddly enough,
the boys words stirred up dormant
sense of honor. He wondered where
old Hamilton was, anyhow? Left in
some convenient post abroad, prob
ably. There had been a French d.
vorce. he knew, and the rumor that
Frances would marry somebody he
had been jealous Of over there. All
at once he looked at the photograph
ON the mantel, at Mans clear, wide
eyes and sunny smile, at the sweet
ness and wholesomeness of her girl
hood, and he sighed.
81 like her best, too old man." he
said. "only she won't have me-"
The next day Jerry called up Miss
Willard and invited her to call for
him and take him to lunch so they
could get acquainted. She was ever
so much better than her pictures, he
decided at first sight. Brown eyes
freckles over her nose like gold dust.
And he loved to answer her questions
about Marbury. She was so delicate
and naive about II. Jerry understood
perfectly. SO he helped her out. First
he gave his uncle character for good
splendid fellowship. Then he told how
worried he was about him. They were
In a well-knOwn restaurant, at a table
near the window. and Jerry felt safe.
81 can get him here in about two
minutes" Jerry said eagerly. Hes
just over at the club, and he'd come
in one hop If you said so. He's ter
ribly worried about YOU"
HE seems to be-" smiled Nan. "You
don't understand. Jerry"
"Sure / do" insisted Jerry. "But
he just sees the widow because he
needs sympathy. He says you haven't
any. and you want somebody with
more money. don't believe word
he says" he added, hastily, at the fire
in her eyes. But why did you throw
him down."
"IIe never asked me-" laughed Nan.
scornfully. "Jerry, think you're four.
flushing"
But she spoke to an empty chair
Jerry reached telephone booth and
called the club in triumph.
"Say, that you. Uncle Gerald? This
is Jerry. Well, it's o. X. Come on
over and see for yourself. At the Re
gina, Nan and me. Yep. She said so.
She said you'd never asked her, so ]
did for you. What? Oh. all right. j
know. We've got a party line out
home, too, where everybody hears
what you say. Come soon."
He hung up and wiped his face of
happily.
81 guess that hangs the widow" he
said. "If he doesn't ask me to be best
man, he's a gutter"