Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-04-24
A SERIOUS
CASE

Why, sure" said John IN a tone oi
some uncertainty. why. sure love
you"
But nevertheless he sat q little FUR
Their away and In subtle way ne
showed the usual unmstakabie signs
that instrumentation had taken turn
which he, for one. did not approve and
that II she were wise she would drop
the subject and content herself by
chirping at him In loving manner
every time he chirped at her.
John she said, ARE you sure!
Sure" said John IN a facetious
manner and IL a moment OF inspira'
ton he took e Pluribus Unum' for
the motto of his house and facetlous'
ly added. who could help IT,
And so that we may better compre-
bend the comprehcnsibiities let us
turn from that cipher of fate embodied
in the facetious John and gravely NIX
our attention upon the place and the
girl.
The place was a parlor where the
gas had been gently led by Its nose
down a green silk tube into a ruby
table lamp. from which 1t bcamed In
soft, inspiring radiance.
On the piano were two objects OF
art: the first was a portfolio Of music
opened at that sentimental endcav0r.
Il Cannot Sing the Old Songs. and
the second was q cabinet photograph
of John taken by some bold cabine-
teer who may have been gentle and
a soft-spoken man. but who had most
Enthusiastically scuttlcd the ship Of
Johns beauty in an attempt to make
him look as though he had message
to the world.
For the rest OF it the blinds were
drawn. the portier"s were drawn. a
busy little clock licked merrily away
among the shadows on the mantel
place and the room was snug and
warm and cozy.
She was In accord with the room in
that she, too, was snug and coy
little lady. embellished by art and
artful by nature AS she looked at John
and asked him II he were sure. she
drew a shawl around her shoulders and
coughed once. twice and again.
''Sure!" said John. in a facetious
manner. and in a moment Of inspira-
ton he took "E Pmribus Unum for
the motto OF his house and facetiously
added. Who could help it,"
John she said. I'm not joking
MOI" said John.
She coughed again and turning to a
l.tle table at her side she measured
a teaspoonful of something out Of a
bottle. raised her eyes, sighed and
took her medicine.
john she said. taking his hand.
I'VE may never see each other again. "
Why not" said John, raising his
brows. Are you going away?'
perhaps. john" she said. Perhaps
although l don't like to alarm you"
She took another spoonful of medi-
cine and smiled wanly at him.
IT'S a long journey. John" she
said.
''Geraldine." he said. Hush"
Poor john" she sighed. Poor
John. how he will miss me! John"
she said. II wish you'd help me
over to the tete-a-tete. IL don't think
can sit up any longer. And now a
cushion for my head. There. And If
you'll bring my medicipe-"
And are you honestly and truly
sick. Geraldine?" he asked.
Whereupon she almost turned and
bit hin.
And yet she said, n wish I could
have lived till the spring. The spring
Is so beautiful: isn't 1t, John? The
flowers and everything"
o. you'll be here In the spring all
right" said John. Don't you worry
John" she, said. the doctors think
otherwise. For your sake I wish
could share the way you feel. Yes.
yes. I wish I could have lived till the
spring" And in q Low, dreamy voice
she added: We might have been mar
ried then" And seeing that John was
about to speak in hurried numbers she
whispered family. John, dear! Ny
medicine"
And AFTER she hod feIreSned her-
self with a spoonful she continued
her soliioquy. saying:
Dear John. I always knew you
loved me. Always. From the first.
Al. yes. wish I could have lived I'LL
the spring. 20 that we might have
been married then. TIE flowers and
the birds and everything Wouldn't
II be nice?' .-r. &C.,
And throwing her arms suddenly
around his neck she whispered:
John, whatever happens you must
always remember that We were every
thing to each other. Yos'n remember
that: won't YOU" p
"YA.- said John. sosemniy. I'll re-
member that