The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-06-12
WhER PHYLLIS TOOK NE
SERIOUSLY.
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by Herbert Mclean johnson.


"Seyenteen3" 1 questioned. "seyen-
teen what:"
why the score, you silly" she re-
sponded demurely. Some one has to
keep track OF It,"
That's the trouble with Phyllis. II
her sense Of humor were not so highly
developed, I'm sure would have had
her ages ago. She never viii take me
seriously.
Bother the score,' cried desperate
~. Anyhow, we'll not count the other
sixteen times"
But l would very much rather"
Phyllis was staring into the fire.
didn't know just what she meant. l
never was much good ut guessing.
We'll" 1 answered indifferently
"just as you please. Count them if you
like. All l meant was that none Of
them mattered so much as at this
time"
Positively your last chance, ladies
and gentlemen" she cried eaily.
l assented in my most dignified man.
ner. Phyllis laughed. 1 do wish she
would take me seriously once in a
while.
why Go you keep on proposing to
me like this?" she asked me.
/ shrugged my shoulders.
Some men there are love not a
gaping pig; others are troubled il they
behold a cat" I quoted. Are you
answered."
THAT is 10 answer, thou uEfeeling
man"
IF you must have it" I replied flip
PANTY, Il suppose it's my form OF di-
version. Ny hobby, if you will We
all have our hobbies, more or less, you
know"
Phyllis frowned. I liked that frown
immensely. Then she looked at me
quickly when I was not expecting it.
"You appear to be enjoying your
self" she complained
Me-? 1 queried in mock innocence.
ooh, protest; really, I'm not"
Phyllis frowned again.
II know it." l agreed. 81 ought to
be. Seventeen times ought to be pro-
ductive Of more than it. has shown so
far. I wonder" l concluded dreamily
to myself, 81 wonder if eighteen will
do it?"
You haven't been answered for sew
enteen yet" SAND Phyllis.
NO" said I, NOR for any Of the
other sixteen, either"
"Now there was Darcy Graham, -
said Phyllis, inconsequently. "He
asked me to marry him nineteen times
and swore eternal devotion each time
whether I would have him or no
There's a man for you"
And then went and married Kitty
Mcpherson" said I, almost to myself
NO" corrected Phyllis; kitty mar
ried him.
willie Atkinson came next" I ven
tured.
HE only ran up thirteen" said Phyl
lis.
(Which accounts for his failure"
suggested.
Phyllis paid no attention to my re
mark.
Il think the little fellow from tn
bank whom [ met in the summer cam
after that?" she murmured interroga
lively.
Surely you don't count him?'
questioned in surprise. "Why, you toll
me yourself that he only lasted till til
second round"
He would probably have stage
longer If you hadn't come down tina
Sunday" said Phyllis, in a veXed way
"You always do turn up at the mos
inopportune moment"
HAD I only known you didn't wan
me" I began.
Il can't remember who was next,
interrupted Phyllis, quickly; do 20
know"
Il think" said rehectively, Il adde
about two to my own score that day.
always liked you in white, you know
Three" corrected Phyllis, consultin
her tablets.
Hold your head that way again
said. what long eyelashes yc
havep' Phyllis deliberately turned II
other way Hold it round" l cor
manded. II want to look at It," Ply
lis held it round Phyllis likes to
commanded ut times. "A rather pref
mouth. too" said 1. gravely; "ar
your color IS also very fair yet. u