, 1905-02-15

| mean is that | am never again going
to ask you"
"Never?' asked Phyllis in mock ter
ror.
"Never!." said | firmly. This is the
very last time. Will you marry meY'
"That's once over, right there" she
laughed.
Remember | warned her, lit was
the last time"
"yyill you make me a pyamise?" ques-
toned Phyllis.
ITO
Not ask any other girl either" fin
ished Phyllis.
81 don't see what difference it would
make" | commented.
Because if you WILL" said Phyllis,
"IIl walt until I'm ready or on the
shelf and then come around and ask
YOU: only I'd like to be sure you were
~disengaged."
l guess must have looked a bit
blank, because Phyllis burst out laugh
ing.
How long will it be?' l asked.
II really can't say" laughed Phyllis.
IF decide to wait until I'm ready
for the shelf l flatter myself it will be
some time yet"
$50 do t. l said sadly.
"Well," asked Phyllis, with some as
perity, you don't hope for anything
else, do your
But the thought of it seemed a long
way ahead.
"if | were sure began.
"If l give you my word said Phyl-
lis.
"Phyllis,'' l said soberly, eff you said
the word I'd wait till the day of doom
for you, dear. But, you know, little
girl, | don't want to. l want you now
Phyllis eyes had lost that hard glow.
There was only the dull, soft fire of
FURNISHED copper now. l ought to nave
taken her in my arms and kissed her
right there, but l didn't know enough.
I always was noted for doing such
stupid things. Phyllis has told me so
since.
do you really, Jack" said she soft
ly.
Icdll1 dO3 lifiilc' 'iiiOut SO'
I'm like that soul which the poet tells
about, that went into the storm and
blackness and lost itself between the
earth and heaven"
Phyllis sat a little closer to me. It's
a good dodge, is that poetry business.
I've always felt that I owed a good
deal to some of those poet Johnnies.
THAT was awfully dear of you,
Jack" she whispered.
l felt a goodish bit like Il cad then.
1t seemed so like taking an unfair ad-
vantage. Yet it wasn't that | didn't
mean it, for l did, every word of it.
"Phyllis," I half whispered, shall I
break my word?"
Phyllis never said a word, but just
crept IA little closer. | dared to put
my arm around her.
Now, it's always been my contention
that when a girl says stop in a whisper
that she means the exact opposite.
''Stopn whispered Phyllis.
That was when l did it. Her head
how got twisted up, and 1 kissed her
full on the lips. Phyllis lips are warm
and soft.
'Oh, jack" she whispered.
Then l kissed her again. But 1 only
kissed her twice. An event is but mo-
mentary; let it last longer, and it sinks
to the level of a mere incident.
And it's my family you like, is it,
Phyllis" l asked her.
Phyllis nodded her head. She was
too close for Inc to see her do it, but l
could feel it IN my shoulder.
Fired or Charlie?" l asked again.
Il guess-I think-er-their brother"
After that l forgot all that rot about
an event being but momentary. Any
how, what's the odds if it is? People
don't go through life looking for events
all the time. Commonplace things are
much nicer.
And you're going to be engaged to
me now for all the time?' | questioned
when | got my breath.
NO" said Phyllis, shaking her head.
please, dearest" l said. 81 want
you $3.50 much. Please say you will"
But Phyllis shook her head.
NO" said she, with a happy little
laugh; it'll have to stop when you
marry me-