Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-03-13

body" - 'o
Won't that be romantic? just
love those stories about automobiles,
and girl and man-you know. j
wish it was moonlight
'We ought to have Doggy along for
best man."
"Oh Will! / believe I'll tell Nav.
She and Pete might come. She'd be
crazy to elope. She and could sit in
the back seat and you and Pete in the
front seat.
Nav, they might give us away.
We won't let anybody in on it"
How long will we stay?"
"a couple of days or so.''
AND we won't let people know
where we are, or anything, and first
thing they will find out we'll come sail
ing back, cool as cucumbers. I'll tell
mama IN going over to Mays to stay
all night.
- won't tell my folks anything.
I'll take the machine and skiddoo.
They'll think I'm in bed till they 90 to
pull me out and there aren't any feet
for them to catch hold Off
''Will Adamsl How ridiculous
And what do you suppose they'll think
when they miss the auto too?"
"Oh, they'll fuss some. Dad'n ring
up the police and call out the reserves
to look for Charlie Ross, and the ma
ter want the creek dragged. -
MY folks will think m at school. I
expect, until l don't come home at
noon." Doretta's tone was disap-
pointed. She. appeared to brighten.
Then they'll begin to worry, thought"
You might leave a note saving:
Dear mama and papa, l have went.
with Willie.'''
cor Gone but not forgo item,
pinned on the pincushion. But / would
like to leave something Just for fun.
Won't they be excited, at school. when
they hear we've gone off together?"
''You know it."
What will we do after we get back?"
"Oh, dad'll give me job down at the
once. We can stay with your folks or
mine until we go to housekeeping.
81 know the dearest little AatI ONLY
four roomsl Wouldn't that be cute?
Maybe we can get it,
You bet: Is there a garage?"
Il don't know. But l should think
there would be. It's an awfully swell
location-on Forth-ninth and Ash. Sue
Mumms and her husband live there.
bha1 uOW hIlOW T..
Wonder how much it would cost us
the two of u.s."
''The fat?"
mo. everything"
mot very much. Mr.. Mumms only
gets hundred dollars"
"a month";
"A month-or a week. | don't know
which. But, anyway, it's a hundred
dollars, because Sue told me-" And
they go to the theatre, and do every
$50 will we. Dad'll hand me a good
job. He'll have to-"
''Oh, Will Maybe he'll give YOU the
auto! Wouldn't that be fine?''
NAV, I'd rather have a new one. A
slX-cylinder touring-car is what we'll
strike for. That's the newest thing.
About sixty horsepower. See?"
"All right. Do you like lobster pat
ties, WHIP
"Yumi"
81 can make them. And some night
We'll have all the frat. boys in. And
Wen have the girls, too
Sure. Say, what time will you be
ready about?p
Tomorrow night? Oh-after dinner.
You can come around here, and pretend
you're taking me over to Nays"
"Great brain-work, eh?"
Wont it be grand to be done with
old school? But your father be mad at
you for not finishing. Ny mother'I be
mad, too"
''Fudgel We're nearly through. anv-
way. What's the diff? I'm liable to be
plucked., I'd been plucked before if
hadn't played football"
Perhaps they'll give us our diplomas,
we're-so near through now" Doretta
hazarded hopefully. "After they find
out we're married, mean.'
They can keep mine. / don't want
it." William asserted with lofty gruff-
ness.
"Doretta!''
The door leading upon the side porch
had opened, and Mrs. East, Doretta's
mother, was sternly speaking.
"Dorettai Have you been here all
the time? I've been calling you. Good
evening. William"
William scrambled to his feet, and
slipped his cigarette away into the
darkness.
''Mr. and Mrs. Matthewson are here,
Doretta. I've called you two or three
times. Why didn't you answer"
Nov, mama" pouted Doretta in
protest. She shook her head, signify
ing her unwilling attitude.
''Will you excuse DOretta, William?
We have other company, on the front
porch. Or will you come, too?"
William stammered, declining; alleg-
ing an engagement down the street,
promise to be home early, and that his
call was informal and finished, anyway.
VERY well, said Mrs. East. ''Don' t
delay, now, Doretta, and she retired
however, leaving the door open behind
her.
"Where's my lid?" mumbled William.
He found it. "Well, s'long. See you
later
''Of course. I'm sorry"
''No matter. Don't mind a lemon
once in while myself"
Doretta followed her mother. Will
liam cut across the lawn. upon the front
walk dexterously lighted a cigarette,
and indifferently loitered on.
The telephone in the East hallway
rang peremptorily.
''It's for you, Miss Doretta," called
the maid.
Doretta descended the stairs and took
the receiver.
'Hello?'
''This you, Ret?'
Rather think so.
''Say-you know that deal we have
on for this eve?
'Why-yes.
"Well, it's off, at this end"
"Why?"
Dads hooked onto the auto, for his
own push. And, say"
"What?"
"He fused at me good and proper
after / got in last night. Was sitting
up for me. What do you think Of that
I've got to do the graduating act al
high school, and then I've got to go tt
college-Yale or Harvard or some bally
place. Want a photo of NV fnish2n