Jane Lends A Hand Part 35

"I can easily imagine that in many cases regard for their personal safety would force them to it," observed Mr. Lambert, drily.

"Precisely. And sir-I confess that heretofore you have known me under a name that-that is not my own."

"Not your own!" roared Mr. Lambert. "What the deuce do you mean sir? Not your own! Then whose is it?"

"No one's sir, believe me!" cried Hyacinth, backing away from the indignant old man. "I invented it, sir-"

"And you mean to tell me that you have had the audacity to enjoy my hospitality under false pretences!-to say nothing of paying court to my daughter-"

"Pray, sir-one moment!" implored Hyacinth, wringing his hands. "Oh, don't misunderstand me-"

"And will you have the goodness to tell me, sir, at once, _what_ and _who_ you are?" bellowed Mr. Lambert. "Come, I won't tolerate your insolence."

"Oh, my _dear_ Mr. Lambert, don't, _don't_ be hasty. I-I don't know what I am. But I-"

"What is your name, sir?" shouted Mr. Lambert.

"My name, sir, is-Winkler. P. Hyacinth Winkler. The P. stands for Pol-"

"Winkler!" gasped Mr. Lambert, "_Winkler_!"

"Winkler!" murmured Elise, faintly.

"For Polybius," continued Hyacinth, not heeding their e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.ns. "I will conceal nothing from you sir. The P. stands for Polybius. My sponsors, not I, are to be blamed-"

"Winkler!" repeated Mr. Lambert.

"If you are afflicted with the same sensitiveness of the auditory nerve that nature bestowed on me," went on Hyacinth, "you cannot doubt that there is something in the combination of the word Winkler with the two polysyllabic names preceding it, which is grating, imperfect-"

"Winkler," Mr. Lambert was still repeating monotonously.

"Yes, sir. I now perceive the cause of your astonishment. It is a name with which you have some connection-"

"Will you be good enough to tell me what part of the world you are from?" demanded Mr. Lambert.

"I was born in the state of Missouri, in the year 1895. My parents were people of consequence in a humble way. My father had for many years been the proprietor of a solid business in dyes and textiles-"

"My dear sir, I don't want your biography," interrupted Mr. Lambert, but in a remarkably softened voice. "Your father's name was-?"

"Samuel Winkler."

"Samuel? And his father's?"

"John."

"John-Johann! By Jove!" cried Mr. Lambert. And he began to rummage in the drawer of his desk, bringing to light the large scroll on which was traced the family tree of the Winklers. Just as he had unrolled it under Paul's eyes, he now unrolled it again, and eagerly began to trace the lines of twigs and branches.

"Here!" he exclaimed, "Samuel Winkler-son of the first Johann-moves to Missouri in 1817-two sons, Ferdinand and Johann. Ferdinand died 1824.

Johann married, 1850-Samuel, your father, born 1857. Is that right, sir?"

"Yes."

"Do you realize," inquired Mr. Lambert, throwing himself back in his chair, "that you are the fourth or fifth cousin of my wife? That you are, in fact, the legal heir-or can be made so by her consent and yours-to this famous establishment. That, in a word sir," cried Mr.

Lambert, growing almost too excited to speak distinctly, "if you show apt.i.tude, and willingness to fit yourself to carry on this business, I shall withdraw all my objections to you-I will accept you as a son-in-law-Embrace one another, my children! Bless you a thousand times!

Ah, Heavens! Gertrude!" And almost apoplectic with excitement, Mr.

Lambert sprang up, and actually cutting a caper, flew to the door to call his wife.

As a matter of fact, he had not far to look; for his roars and bellows had brought his entire family down to the hall outside the dining-room door, Jane having informed her mother of the probable nature of the scene going on within, and a natural concern for the well-being of the two victims having stirred their sympathy and anxiety.

"Come in! Come in!" cried Mr. Lambert, throwing the door wide.

"Gertrude, my dear, embrace me!" and he promptly hugged his startled wife. "Jane, kiss your dear sister. Gertrude, salute your son-"

"But w-what-"

"What? What? You ask what? He has been found!" Then suddenly, Mr.

Lambert remembering that actually Hyacinth had not consented to the conditions of his acceptance at all, turned upon him abruptly.

"I presume, sir, that I am right in believing that you are willing to lay aside all other interests, and-"

Then seeing Hyacinth and Elise standing by the window, evidently quite oblivious to his oration, he smiled with positive benevolence.

"I have found a _Winkler_, my dear wife," he said. "And this time, I believe," with a playful glance in the direction of the two at the window, "a Winkler who-"

"Who will stay put," finished Jane.

There was no need for much explanation, Mr. Lambert's tones during the interview having been of such a quality that not only the entire household might have heard him, but the neighbors into the bargain.

And thus, as Jane had once prophesied to Paul, the incredible had happened-the Other Winkler was found.

CHAPTER XVII-AN HONOR TO THE FAMILY

"And of course _I_ shall lend you my pearl pin," cried Lily, embracing Elise for the sixth time. "Oh, I _am_ so delighted! And to think, you sly girl, that you're going to be married four whole months before I am!"

"And I," announced Dolly Webster, taking her turn at embracing the blus.h.i.+ng and dimpling Elise, "_I've_ brought you a pair of blue garters.

Annie Lee made 'em, but I sewed on the little pink roses, so they're from both of us. And mamma is going to give you the dearest set of tea cups-though that's a secret. I _never_ was so surprised at anything in my life!"

"And your fiance is charming," added Amelia, "_so_ interesting. Now, do let me look at all these pretty things you are making."

"Well, I want to hear more about all this," said Annie Lee, sitting down, and taking off her rain-soaked hat. "Here, my dear, give me some of your sewing to do. You must be rushed to death."

"I _am_ rushed-but everyone has been helping. The house is simply upside down," said Elise. "Just look at this room! I don't know how we're going to get everything straightened out for the wedding. Papa insists that we must have a big party here afterwards, but where in the world we'll find room to move I don't know."

Indeed, since the events recorded in the last chapter, the gentle routine of the Lambert's family life had been unhinged at its very foundations. Everyone knows that the prospect of a wedding has a thoroughly disturbing influence, and during the weeks of trousseau making, and festivity-planning, Mr. Lambert's rules of law and order were freely and boldly disregarded.