Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-10-06
Copyright, 1901,
BIZ Hubert Mclean Johnston

me like this?" she asked me.
1 shrugged my shoulders.
'If you must have it," l replied
flippantly, 81 suppose it's my little
form of diversion-my hobby, if You
will. We all have our hobbies more or
less, you know"
Phyllis frowned. 1 like that frown
immensely. Then she looked at me
quickly when 1 was not expecting it
You appear to be enjoying your
SELF" she complained.
"Me?" l queried in mock innocence.
"Oh, / protest! Really I'm not!'
Phyllis frowned again.
"Well, then, you ought to be-
ST know" L agreed; Il ought to be.
Seven times ought to be productive OF
more than it has shown so far.
wonder" | concluded dreamily to nay
self--"I wonder if eight will do it"
"You haven't been answered for
seven yet" said Phyllis.
NO" said /, nor for any of Ile
other six either"
"Now, there was Darcy Graham,
said Phyllis inconsequentially lie
asked me to marry him nineteen times
and swore eternal devotion each time
whether | would have him or no.
There's man for youl"
"And then went and married Kitty
Macpherson" said / almost to myself.
NO" corrected Phyllis. kitty mar
ried-him."
willie Atkinson came next" ven
tured
HE only ran up to thirteen said
Phyllis.
(which accounts for his failure"
suggested.
Il think the little fellow from the
bank whom met in the summer came
after that?" she murmured interroga-
lively.
"Surely you don't count him?"
questioned in surprise. "Why, you
told me yourself that he only lasted till
the second round"
"He would probably have stayed lon
ger if YOU hadn't come down that Sun
day." said Phyllis in a vexcd way.
"You always do turn up at the most
inopportune moments"
Had / only known you didn't want
me- began.
81 can't remember who was next
said Phyllis quickly. "Do you known
81 think" said refectively, Il add
ed about two to my own score that
day. always liked you in white, you
know"
"One," said Phyllis, consulting her
tablets.
Hold your head that way again" |
said. 'What long eyelashes you have.
Phyllis deliberately turned the other
way.
"Hold it round" I commanded. 81
want to look at it,"
Phyllis held it round. Phyllis likes to
be commanded at times, only fellow
got to know when to do it.
"a rather pretty mouth, too said l
gravely, 'and your color is also very
fair yet. One would never guess you
were getting up in years"
'Pm not" denied Phyllis, with GER
| tain assumption of dignity. I'm only
| twenty three"
"You don't show it," responded gal
| lantly. s'Were asked to make guess
should say sweet sixteen and >
"Quite sou said Phyllis dryly.
"How awful it must he TO be laid Oh
the shelfr' / remarked sympathetically.
'I'm notr' asserted Phyllis indig-
| nantly.
| "The very idear' 1 murmure1 in
| surprised sort of way. Il never even
| insinuated such a thing. But you
| know" l concluded dismally, 'you
| haven't had proposal in three weeks"
| 81 have" insisted Phyllis. 81 had
| one just tonight"
| "Oh, but that doesn't countw said l..
"You told me so yourself. These are
only sort of trial heats to keep you in
form, you know"
"Ohr shifted Phyllis.
Besides" l added, II need material
for my stories"
1 "What risk you are willing to run
| for the sake of material" said Phyllis.
"It is necessary that one make some
sacrifices for the sake of art" I ex-
planned.
Suppose. though. were to accept
vou some time:" queried Phyllis in an
awful tone.
'T would have new climax for rte
| next one" said l. I fatter myself |
said it indilfersn.ly.
l had expected Phyllis to be affect
ed. Instead she burst out laughing.
That's the trouble with Phyllis. SIZE
| never will take me seriously.
you're goose" size complimented
me.
"Aw, thanks" / murmured $50
good of you"
Phyllis regarded me gravely. Now,
It's an odd thing, but whenever Phyllis
looks at fellow just like that he feels
sort of funny all over you know. |
don't just know what ii is. | think it
must be what they call personal mag
netism.
Jack" she said, "you have some
gray hairs"
"Its not polite of you to remind me
of it," said.
"And your complexion isn't rs good
as it used TO be-" she continued. BE
Sides there are lot of little things,
particularly about your clothes
Nothing serious, trust?" l asked
In alarm.
"No; nothing serious" said Phyllis.
"But an awful lot of little things.
think you need some one to take care
of you"
"Parks is an exceptional valet" said
in his defense.
snow, a wife, began Phyllis mus
ingly.
laughed.
Eyes, said Phyllis, taking no no
/ tice, Il think you need a wife. Why
don't you propose to some nice girl,
Jack?"
81 have" said stoutly.
"Huhr' snorted Phyllis in disbelief
"How many proposals have you ever
made?"
Seven" said /.
l think Phyllis was pleased. Any
] way she smiled little.
w.