The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-06-12


lantly. "Were 1 asked to make
guess. / should say sweet sixteen
and"
quite So said Phyllis dryiy
"IIow awful II must be 10 be laid on
the shelf" remarked alphabetically.
I'm notr' asserted Phyllis, indlg-
nantly.
THE very ideog / murmured in
surprised way. II never even insin-
uated such a thing. But you know"
l concluded dismally, you haven't mad
n proposal IN three weeks
81 have" insisted Phyllis; IL had one
just tonight"
"Oh, but that doesn't count" said /.
"You told me so yourself. These are
only sort Of trial heats, to keep you IN
form, you know
"Ohw shifted Phyllis.
Besides" I added, Il 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 1t IS
necessary that one make some sacri-
fees for the sake OF art"
Suppose though, / were to accept
you some time?" Queried Phyllis in an
awful tone.
Il would have n 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 murmurod. $50
good of you"
Phyllis regarded me gravely. Now,
it's an odd thing. but whenever Phyl-
lis looks at a fellow just like that ne
feels sort of funny all over, you know.
l think 1t must be what they call
personal magnetism.
Jack" she said, "do You know that
you have some gray hairs?"
ITS not polite Of you TO remind me
OF It" said L
"And your complexion isn't as good
as it used to be" she continued. BE
sides, there are a lot of little things
particularly about your clothes
Nothing serious, l trust" l asked,
in alarm.
no" said Phyllis, nothing serious.
But a lot Of little things. / think you
need some one to take care Of you"
Parks is an unexceptiopable valet"
said in his defense.
"But he draws his salary every
month" put in Phyllis.
"And why shouldn't he?" I interro-
gated.
"Now, a wife" began Phyllis,
musingly.
Would draw hers at the end OF the
month, and every other day as well,
1 concluded.
yes" said Phyllis. taking no notice
81 think you need n wife. Now, why
don't you propose to some nice girl
Jack?"
81 have" said I, stoutly.
"Huhw snorted Phyllis, in disbelief
How many proposals have you ever
made?" 81.
Seventeen said I.
I think Phyllis was pleased. Any
how. she smiled a little.
"There was the Rawshaw girl" sale
she warningly.
"Nice girl" I assented warmly
Nothing particularly Queenlike abou
a girls carriage when she's OIL OFT
foot three" Olei ,
"And Bessie Fleming" W on
Phyllis was getting back at 49, .D I
"a sweet creature" 1 agrtt,o, ouI
really prefer blondes" sass1N
"And then there's whole host O
others that you might have il yo
wanted them. You're a CATCH yo
know"
Il know" said I. YEARLY. 81 sur
pose that accounts for my popularity.
"Oh, no." said Phyllis, sweedy
= you're rather nice as we'll"
Thanks" 1 replied, but with
| score Of seventeen, it doesn't seem {
have benefited me greatly VIII it
: me any good to make it eighteen"
Phyllis toyed with the corner Of til
G sofa cushion.
c "You might do n great deal better
= said she, deprecatingly.
"Then 1 don't have to make
I elghteen? cried I, for once in my III
d compromising.
e Il did not say that, sir" said Ply
lis, saUcily.
d I don't think ever saw Phyllis loo
It so beautiful. ard the odd part Of
r. was, l couldn't see her eyes, eithe