The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-07-24


THAT is at least Strong language.
Like yourself, l adapt my conver-
sation to my company"
A moments pause follows this vol
canic outburst. Then once more Ethel
brings the talk back TO the parlor
match by remarking in Il less acrimo-
NOUS voice:
.'Must ask you again to light the
gas?"
: .tJust as you please.
81 can light it myself.
s'Oh, don't trouble. I'll light it if
you really want it lighted.
''How many times is it necessary to
tell you n thing before you are con-
vinced of it?''
'.There are some things one never
can become convinced of. However,
I'll light the match if | can find any
thing to strike it on"
s.Strike it on the carpet"
sI've tried the carpet; I've tried the
mantel-piece, and Eve tried my boot
"There are people who don't know
enough to go in when it rains" Ethel
remarks with. q sigh of long-sufrering
but well-nigh exhausted patience, "but
| supposed every ybody knew how to,
light 81 match" !"
eff it's SO easy you might come and
do it."
s'Oh, if you are ready to give it up.
She rises from whatever point of
vantage she has occupied in the dark
ness and comes once more to the sofa,
to be once more seized and seated at
his side.
Bob Tracy" she exclaims. although
without leaving him. .'What are you
thinking OFF / never knew you to be-
have SO. It's horribly rude and horri-
bly, improper. Nobody ever treated
me so before. ?"
''Well, should hope not"
.Oh, you shouldP Well, sir, since
when had you the right to take more
liberties than anybody else?'
ethan Tom Shaw. for instaneep
tYes, than Tom Shaw, if you like.
Pm going to ride in his dog-cart to-
morrow.
II bet YOU are notr'
''Bet all you please, but shall go
just the samc.''
The effect of this announcement is
to demoraliZe Lieutenant Bob alto
gether. He drops his hold of his COM
panien's hand and begins fruitiessly to
scratch the match he holds upon any
thing and everything within reach,
while she breaks into q little ripple of
laughter.
''Why, if you please" she demands,
''shouldn't go to ride with Tom
Shaw?'
Great fat thingr' calculates Tracy,
tiinrinr the match in the direction of
the fireplace. 81 must say | admire
your taste.
.'Oh, he isn't rs yellow as an orange
from living in China, it's true; but
then it isn't every body that admires
mandarins."
There is nothing but sputter to q
parlor match, anyway" remarked
Bob, spitefully. GAS that pretty Annie
june said last night when was sitting
in the dark with her. ssA match is SO
disagreeable where the. light won t
come till after there's been a grand ex-
piosion. :"
''Oh there's where you were last
night, is it. Annie June is pretty for y
girl that over thirty
Il never was fond of bread and but
ter misses; | leave them for Tom
Shaw"
tom Shaw's engaged to one."
s'That's q matter of Indifference to
me.''
.'It wouldn't be if you knew the
girl"
''Oh, l know it isn'tAnnie june, and
beyond that | don't care"
'sIt's that absurd little Baby Nor
wood that you and l had our first
quarrel about when we were five years
old"
As u reply to this information, the
gallant lieutenant lawlessly and reck-
lessly filings his arms about Ethel and
kisse.; her with great fervor.
'.Why, Bob Tracy, you let mo go
this minute! | know Aunt james COM
ing"
s.Nonscnse! She isn't either. ]
want to tell you of another new en-
| gagement
II don't think Pm Interested.
"You would be if you knew who ii
is"
al can guess. -
swell, guess then.'
81 guess you.
Correct he replies, ''here's a re-
| ward fOf your cicVerneSS.
And he kisses her again.
bob, you're behaving abominably,
and YOU must stop this minute.
t'Who do you think Pm engaged
! to?''
.sMiss June, and I don't think she'd d
like your acting this way at all. -
Wrong; and here's punishment
for your duliness."
81 give it up, them"
'It's girl who's carried my picture
on her chatelaine ever since | went tC
China
.She must be sentimental piece. p"
She is, awfhlly."
'.She's probably making believe.
don't believe she really cares fig fol
YOU.
''Oh, she adores me. She can't hell
it,"
''If she cares for Won The least little
bit in the world, it's all for your moth
cr's sake"
"There, / knew"
The sound of approaching wheels
interrupted him.
..Heavcns!' cries Ethel, springin9
IN in great dismav. ''There come th'
family. Ll1hL the gas, quick!
He rushes to the mantcl and pro
cures Il match. just rs he strikes il
she SAYS breathlesslv:
Its safety matchi it'll only ligh
on the boxr'
Then with the same breath. sccint
that he has anticipated her. she adds
"Why, you knew all the limr!'
The gleam of the burning matc
shows broad grin upoA Bob's ilushc'
face as he retorts:
'.And so did your
He lights the gas while Ethel, wit
true feminine instinct, smooths he
hair and dress upon the possibility tina
they may have become rutlled. A
that instant the ample form of Mrs
Mott appears in the doorway.
"Were you here in the darkP'' sh
asks. 81 didn't see any light as W
drove up.
. We were on the piazza long time,
Ethel murmurs confusedly.
. But Lieutenant Tracy takes her han
in his and leads her towards his futuI
mother-in-law.
, 1--WE couldn't light tho gas" h
, says, ''until we had made parle
, match.