The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-10-24
utter disregard for the conventional.

oSeSA NAcASSosu " IHC 1Ao
tiles?
And it is leap year, too!
"Were I a conceiteG man." he said
Sinking at himself in his mirror, Il
would fancy her in love with me-"
So he thought the matter over in every
light. Putting together the otherwise
u~nacountable blushings, leap year, her
undisguised liking for him he made
up his mind he would as soon marry
her as not-in fact, rather. On no ac-
count could he wound her susceptible
little tender heart. Guileless little
creature! In fact, he owed her a great
deal for frightening his story-a serial,
too-beyond all belief. And how might
she not brighten his life!
So with beating heart he entered the
parlor, ready for any emergency.
Daisy was there.
Il have been waiting" she cried. 81
have braced up my courage tc make the
avowal."
Her hands were behind her and her
lovely face all aglow. 81 wish you
would help me out. Yoa must suspect
what the secret is. Come, now; don't
you? Don't make it. so hard for me
to say the words, Mr.. Dexter"
Dexter dropped upon a sofa, utterly
overcome with blissful anticipation, in
a kind of tranced calm.
you are so clever, Mr.. Dexter, you
may have guessed"
daisy. darling" he murmured. draw
ing her gently to his side. 81 have
guessed-I thought so from the very
first"
"Ah, you clever dear!" she cried, joy
fully; land you have given me every
encouragement, haven't you? And in
so many delicate ways"
THAT l have, dearest; but don't be so
shy. Come out and say the words. I
long to hear them from those innocent
lips"
Daisy looked up and she locked down.
Come. darling" murmured Dexter;
don't keep me in suspense. You have
every right to speak out. Consider the
year-leap, you know; and the new
woman and all that. I'll be sure to
say yes 10 everything"
What on earth do you mean?" cried
Daisy, drawing herself a little aloof.
She kept her two hands ~clasping some
thing tightly behind her back.
"You shy little mouse!" whispered
Dexter, reaching for them.
There. younave it," and she dropped
into his hands a thick manuscript. Il
have written 4 love story, Mr.. Dexter,
and have worked you in as my hero"
Dexter fell back limp and speeches.
and she ratified on:
81 worked you in from the point of
your shoe to the crowno of your dear old
head. Though. of course. I covered that
bald place with nice brown hair and
smoothed out your wrinkles and made
you look as you must nave done 20 years
ago"
"Oh. you dido" murmured Dexter,
fcebly.
WAS it wrong?" she cried, in con-
sternation. Il thought it would make
you feel young again. 1 thought you
would be pleased"
Daisy" uttered Dexter, hoarseIy.
"why did you blush every time 1 came
rear you?"
ITO make you notice me. Is it wrong
to like to be noticed?"
"Why did you draw me on to tell you
of love, love. love?"
Il wanted to know; and Sister Hetty
said l might talk to you like a dear,
sweet old grandfather. Oh-oh, have I
hurt your precious feelings?" and Daisy
fairly blubbered.
Some months later Dexter met his
friend, who greeted him warmly and
congratulated him on the success of his
serial story.
at is a bowling success" he said, par
ticularly the rosebud of a girl"
Dexter was looking away at a swallow
in the air.
did YOU get up a case? Has love
taken You in yet?
Dexter looked very glum. He an.
swered, slowly:
There is a weapon called boomerang,
which, unskillfully thrown, recoils and
cuts your throat"
well. what about the boomerang?"
81 fooled with the thing" said Dexter,
with Il bitter smile, land it struck me
just under the fifth rib"
The friend went off laughing to him.
self.-N. o. Times-Democrat.