The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-02
THE WAY FI1ZMORRIS DID
 IT.
BY GEORGE sHEDD.


 tcopyright. 1905. by Daily Story Pub Col
 The boy was showing the giri an old revolver he had acquired in swaS and had repaired so 1t would shoot and he was telling her Of his plans to 10 out west and be cowboy or q des- perado-he had not decided which He spoke with all the insufferable conde- scension and bravado of the masculine early teens and she listened with the reverence which became her sex and three years juniority. It pleased his self-esteem to have so worshipful listener as the sunny-haired ltttle fairy. and it swelled her budding rem mine heart to be tho confidant of so sturdy and valiant hero. They were behind the old arnor' whither Ted had summoned Bessie with great mystery, to announce ms great design. Presently they were m terrupted by two young people who strolled into the arbor.
 "S'h," whispered the boy, placing his fingers on his lips. Its your SIS ter Emma and that Wilkins fellow.
 The two sat quietly awaiting an opportunity to slip away unnoticed- It pleased the spirit of the boy to surround his actions with deep se- crecy, and the girl was satisfied to QDfy AupitItNigs
 Inside the arbor the old, old story was being enacted.
 Miss Roberts" said the young man in a strained voice, clearing his throat q have been wanting to speak to you
 that is, have been iutending--that is, have been trying to get an oppor- tunity to be alone with you for long time"
 There was a pause. and the voice went on: q mean to have an oppor- tunity to speak to you. to tell you to---to--that Is. you must have known. you know--that is. you certainly have seen that I---that I-'
 There was another awkward pause. and the young woman said softly:
 That you what. Mir Wilkins?'
 There was a note of desperation In and the words were broken by his nervous breathing.
 "That I-you see that, that---that is, that--oh. heavens, I-dont you know?" l5
 Apparently she did know. because the voice ceased and there were sounds inside of much pleasanter nature.
 After awhile the lover said in per- fectlv normal tones:
 May I put the ring on your fingerT'
 After which there were more oscu- latory sounds. and presently they went away.
 The two children had sat staring at each other with open eyes and mouths during the proceedings inside.
 "Oh. wasn't 1t spIendid?' exclaimed the little girl when the lovers were out of hearing
 "Splendid! snorted the boy in ac- cents of disgust. T call it funk. Why. the lobster never said it at all. Anybody'd athought he sas' bear, he was so frightened How'd she know what he was a-tryin' to say?'
 ''Oh, she knew all right" replied the girl with intuitive feminine wis dom She's probably known it long time and was 'spectin' it.
 "why'n thunder didn't he say ity persisted the young Comanehe.
 Probably he was frightened" re- piled the girr "whatn thundcr's he frightened at?" asked the boy. Moulin but frightened at"
 T 'spect he loves her so much that he's sort. of frightened at that. and maybe he was afraid she'd say no, ventured the girl.
 Say no when he ast her?' ex- claimed the boy scornfully. Catch a girl doin' that. Anyway. what if she Alu All [ NAFtP RANhNS DN'fN' girls?'
 The girl was silent. and the boy went on;
 And he's a lawyer and makes speeches in court nearly every day. | heard pa say so And I saw his name in the paper about nlaking q political speech at the opery house--an elo- auent and convincing address-that's what the paper said. don't believe he can talk for sour beans. When I get ready to be married, you bet I'll do it different than that Here's the way I'll do it.:
 The boy pulled a thumbed and fold ed paper novel from a mysterious pocket somewhere In the recesses of his clothes and. turning the pages rap idly over, exclaimed
 Here it ts ait a minute
 He rSad rapidly for moment. then dropped the book and, jumping to his