Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-06-12

'On, Dut tNaI QOeSu count, Sillu l..
you told me so yourself. These are
only sort of trial heats, to keep you in
form, you know"
"Ohr' shifted Phyllis.
"Besides," 1 added, II need material
for my stories"
"What a risk you are willing to run
for the sake of material" said Phyl-
lis.
"Yes," I replied suavely, "but it is
necessary that one make some sacri-
fees for the sake Of art"
Suppose, though 1 were to accept
you some time" queried Phyllis In an
awful tone.
II would have a new climax for the
next one" said 1. indifferently.
had expected Phyllis to be affected;
instead, she burst out laughing. That's
the trouble with Phyllis; she never will
take me seriously.
you're a goose" she complimented
me.
Jaw, thanks" I murmured. $50
good of your
Phyllis regarded me gravely. Now,
it's an odd thing, but whenever Phyl,
lis looks at a fellow just like that he
feels sort Of funny all over, you know.
think 1t must be what they call
personal magnetism.
"Jack," she said, "do you know that
you have some gray hairs"
"It's not polite Of you to remind me
of It," said 1.
"And your complexion isn't rs good
as it used to be-" she continued. "Be.
sides, there are a lot Of little things
particularly about your clothes"
Nothing serious, 1 trust? 1 asked,
in alarm.
mo-" said Phyllis, nothing serious.
But lot of little things. l think you
need some one to take care of you"
Parks is an unexceptionable valet"
said l In his defense.
"But he draws his salary every
month";" put in Phyllis.
"And why shouldn't he?" interro.
gated.
"Now. Wife" began Phyllis,
musingly.
"Would draw hers at the end Of the
month. and every other day as well, "
I concluded.
"Yes," said Phyllis, taking no notice,
"I think you need wife. Now, why
don't you propose to some nice girl,
Jack?"
81 have" said I, stoutly.
"Huh" snorted Phyllis, in disbelief.
"How many proposals have you ever
madc?"
Seventeen" said I.
I think Phyllis was pleased. Any
how, she smiled little.
'There was the Rawshaw girl" said
she warningly.
"Nice GIRL" I assented warmly.
Nothing particularly queenlike about
n girls carriage when she's only five
foot three"
"And Bessie Flemingw
Phyllis was getting back at me.
"a sweet creature" l agreed, "but
really prefer blondes"
"And then there's a whole host of
others that you might have If you
wanted them. You're a catch, you
know"
II know" said I, wearily. "I sup
pose that accounts for my popularity"
"Oh, no." said Phyllis, sweetly;
you're rather nice as we'll"
"Thanks," l replied, "but with a
score of seventeen, it doesn't seem to
have benefited me greatly. VIII it do
me any good to make 1t eighteen"
Phyllis toyed with the corner OF the
sofa cushion.
"You might do q great deal better"
said she, deprecatingly.
"Then 1 don't have to make it
eighteen?" cried 1, for once in my life
comprehending.
81 did not say that, sir" said Phyl
lis, saucily.
don't think ever saw Phyllis look
so beautiful. and the odd part of II
was, l couldn't see her eyes, either
She was staring full into the fire all
the time. If it makes her look that
way, l wish she would look into the
fire always.
But l do make it eighteen, Phyl
lis" said I, soberly.
I took hold of her arm and turned
her round so that she was facing me
but she still held her head down anG
I could see only her eyelashes. Phyllis
has long eyelashes.
"And you'll marry me, Phyllis?" ]
whispered. l don't know whether
raised my tone interrocatively or not
| hadn't the same control over my voice
that l had the other seventeen times.
Phyllis looked at me with Il funny
little smile. She never will take me
seriously.
81 suppose this will make a new
climax" said she.
But her lOoGs belied her words, ant
for once | was bright enough to see
mo" I replied, as distinctly as my
throat would let me, this is not Il eli
max. This is beginning g."-Torontt
Saturday Night.
Biggest Elephant on Record,