The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-12-29
A Straight.Flush.

side, and III tell you little true story.
SO we walked outside, and he began
without ceremony.
ut was good number of years ago
that John Wrayburn and took Il moon
light walk through the sleepy, foliage
choked streets of little town in Maine.
It was about nine o'clock; we were on
our way home from college. and had an
hour before the arrival of our train.
"'Hold on!' said John, suddenly pull
ing me within the shadow of great tree;
Het's see what they'll do He pointed
p to two figures that had just appeared on
the vine covered porch of a house we
were about to pass.
"'Want to see what they'll do 2 said 1,
under my breath.
eyes; they re lovers said John, in
whisper.
CHOW do you know?
'Instinct-O we gods! look at that!
exclaimed John.
"Well, it was picture. 1t was Romeo
and Juliet, you know, in the powerfully
iclear, white moonshine. 1t was pretty
Iembrace, some indistinct talking, little
laughter, and half a dozen kisses, per-
yhaps. And 'Jove! Jove! 1 could hear
John say.
"'Sayv said at length, come on!"
my friend stared at the porch and did
not hear me.
"'Come on whispered guiltily.
"'Wait wait minute! begged John.
$50 we waited. We waited till Romeo
actually sprang down the steps and
pushed the gate open, before we pre-
pared to be off. Then Romeo gave a
peculiar little whistle, the lady shook n
kiss from her fingers, and John uttered
fond kind of groan. Next we knew,
we had fingered too long. Romeo bore
down upon MS with such velocity, we
we're forced to stay under our tree. A
trying moment was passed in safety, the
mons footsteps soon died away, the
maiden went in out of sight, and We
tarried under the tree.
"'Sayr said John. desperately. that
fellow looks like me-. John was wicked.
THAT fellow has on dark suit and a
straw hat, continued John. His face is
smooth, tool saw it under the moon.
II waited obviously.
"'Hes my height, too declared
John. Strengthening my build
"And still listened.
"'Why don't you say something ?
asked John.
OH say SOmetnluK, hUlu i.
"Well, l WILL in less than ten min
utes I'm going to kiss the lady in that
house.
".You dare notv declared I.
"'Will you accompany me to her
door,
Ono, answered I.
eyes swapping.
~ bat <I,a 10 M
only way can explain it. The very next
porch. What Johns plans were ] had
not the slightest idea. l did not know
as he had any plans. 1 only knew we
had Il confused sort of desire to see John,
somehow, put through. We found it an
enclosed and decidedly roomy porch,
with corner as dark as Egypt.
"'rm at your service, I mumbled,
cropping after John in this corner.
Every we'll, he whispered solemnly,
fumbling over an old settee. Will you
hide yourself here, please?'
without even word of inquiry
orouched down behind it, John stepped
to the door, and boldly gave a perfect
imitation of the whistle we had heard
from Romeo. Quickly and fondly came
the fairy footsteps, and saw John step
further into the dark. The door flew
open, lamp light mixed with the moon,
and-I see you! cried melting roguish
voice, and her waist was encircled by
Johns arm.
"For the first time in my life was as
sailed with chills and fever. My heart
was trying to jump out of my mouth. l
looked at my surroundings, took in my
position, and humbly prayed to die.
"'What are you back for?' chirped a
melting voice.
II could see Johns outline as stiff as
statue; perhaps. like me, he was slowly
turning to stone.
"'What do You want?' she asked.
John bent his head, and l heard his
two words in IA whisper: "A kiss.
1.-The melting voice rang right ont in
laughter. 20, you old sentimental, out
here in the dark! Married the whole of
year, and whistling out here for kiss
Ha, ha, hal and she reached her arms up
around John and gave him a distinctly
square kiss. The moment she did it
mind, the instant she did it, i say, a
child in the house broke ont screaming.
80, babyr cried the melting voice, as
she futtered away from John. In the
twinkling of an eye she was gone.
i.