Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-23
Marrow Squeak
for George

am to see you! Sit down. George"
He sat down on his fayorite 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 a nice hoy you are!"
And saying SO she drew her CHAIR
near to him and gently took his hand.
You'd better not" he cautioned her.
hdgeting on his chair. Your mother
may come In"
For reply she tonderly squeezed his
hand and looking at the clock, ex-
claimed: ITS quarter TO eight"
SO 1t is" said George. "A quarter
10 eight"
S'Theyre Just beginning to start for
the theaters!" she cried.
'Yeh," said George. I.emme see.
| haven't seen you since the week be-
fore Christmas, have |? Did you get
my picture postal wishing you merry
Chrlstmas?"
And 1t is only due to his sex 10 say
that ne looked shamefacedly down his
nose and coughed.
George" she said. Listen, dear"
Che started as though stung by n
bee)-'you've been coming to see lie
now for over year. and your finan-
cial outlay to date has been picture
postal card and n l 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 n 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.
II can't help IT." she moaned. "My
heart is crying out TO Inc, Your love
for George will never die! Your love
fo- George will never diet And. OH.
what can do?"
"fou-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 II ever one looked as though he
were cursing his fatal gift of beauty,
that one was George az Fanny sat
there a-keeping him in his corner and
a-slueezlng OF his hand.
George" she breathed. this is
leap year"
lie almost got out of his corner
then.
Yes, dear. Leap year. And In leap
year. you know, IA girl has n 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 re-
fusal the gentleman must buy her
silk dress. but oh, my heart would
break-my heart would break"
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 should have to
be satisfied with the dress. II could
!. only take my mind of the subject and
think Of something else wouldn't
ask"-(s he 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 show. them" he dis.
mslly cried.
She ran for her hat and coat and
was back in no time. He helped her
with her coat and 1t may have been
an accident. for his finger touched
her under her chin.
How dare you. Mr.. Perks!" she
cried. turning on him like n lioness
brought to bay
And cutting short the incoherent
cries of the fiabbergasted Mr.. Perks.
she cried:
Shall !, after all, ask you to mar"
NO, no. no." he cried. mo. no.
mol"
Very well. then" she laughed
Come along!"
And as for Mr.. Perks, MIR. Perks
went along.
Her Request Granted.
The only child had been playing
with nice little boy and found it
rrats .nb lxAks