Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1908-05-14
Narrow Squeak
for George

"George!" she cried. How glad l
am to see you! Sit down, George"
He sat down on his favorite chair
in the corner and regarded her close
ly, for there was something in her man
ner and in her tone that vaguely dis
turbed him and warned him, and
would not let him rest.
Dear George!" she murmured.
What nice boy you are!"
And saying so she drew her chair
near to him and gently took his hand.
You'd better not" he cautioned her,
fidgeting on his chair. Your mother
may come in
For reply she tenderly squeezed his
hand and looking at the clock. ex-
claimed: TITS quarter to eight"
$50 1t is" said George. "a quarter
to eight"
They're just beginning to start for
the theaters!" she cried.
"Yeh," said George. 'Lemme see,
haven't seen you since the week be-
fore Christmas, have II Did you get
my picture postal wishing you merry
Christmas?"
And 1t Is only due to his sex to say
that he looked shamefacedly down his
nose and coughed.
George" she said. Listen, dear"
-(he started as though stung by a
you've been coming to see me
now for over a year, and your fnan-
clal outlay to date has been picture
postal card and 1 cent stamp, and
George she continued, with gesture
that stayed his answer: Il love you
for it,"
She squeezed his hand again.
You are not spendthrift, dear!"
she exclaimed in low, vibrating tones
You are wise, sensible boy; you
know the value of money and, oh,
love you for it,"
'You-you mustn't" he stammered,
trying to withdraw his hand
81 can't help It'll" she moaned "My
heart is crying out to me, Your love
for George will never die! Your love
for George will never die!' And, oh,
what can | do?"
''You-you must forgive me-" he
groaned, you must think to yourself
that we never have metz
Dear boy!' she whispered. so
careful. So saving! Oh, who could
help loving him!"
And If ever one looked as though he
We're cursing his fatal gift of beauty,
that one was George as Fanny sat
there a-keeping him in his corner and
a-squeezing of his hand.
George" she breathed, this is
leap year"
He almost got out of his corner
then
yes, dear. Leap year And in leap
year, you know, girl has certain
privilege which is denied her in other
years. Dear George!'
"You-you MUSTN'T" he gasped.
Sweet George!"
Miss Mardy! Fanny! You must
stop!'
My darling boy! If the girl uses
her privilege and meets with a re
fusal the gentleman must buy her a
silk dress, but oh, my heart would
break-my heart would breNS"
Do | hear some one com"
George. Listen. couldn't take a
refusal; | should die, and yet there is
something in your manner which leads
me to believe that l should have to
be satisfied with the dress. If could
only take my mind off the subject and
think of something else wouldn't
ask'-(she looked at the clock AGAIN.
ten minutes to eight. Ten minutes
to eight. What do you think of my
new theater gown, George? Oh, George
can not forget it! Tell me, dear,
will you"
Lets go to a show, them" he dis
| mally cried.
She ran for her hat and coat and
was back in no time. He helped her
with her coat, and it may have been
an accident, for his finger touched
her under her chin.
How dare you, Mr. Perks!" she
cried, turning on him like a lioness
brought to bay.
And cutting short the incoherent
cries of the flabbergasted MI. Perks,
she cried:
Shall l. after all, ask you to mar
No, no, no." he cried. mo, no.
no."
Very well, then" she laughed
Come along!"
And as for Mr.. Perks, Mr.. Perks
went along.
Her Request Granted.
The only child had been playing
with nice little boy and found it
much better fun than playing with her
dolls. So she appealed to her mother