Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-02-14
HOW He WENT
he Vowed Ne Wouldn't 90 and
See Her.

IT face downward No doubt 1t was
fancy, but it seemed to him that
the picture smiled In mingled amuse-
ment and derision.
What" he cried. Would YOU
And snatching up the photograph.
he tore it into fragments. and threw
II into his waste basket, Immediately
thereafter throwing himself into his
easy chair and grooming In the anguish
of his mind
tAh. my beloved ones. take heedc
Il know what I'll do" he groaned.
''Ill pitch a penny for it. Heads. I'll
90; tails. | won't"
He tipped penny and quickly Gov
cred it with his hand. drawing long
breath before he looked at the coin.
Tails.
There" he cried. That settles it!
| won't go.
And as though everything was over
then. he brushed his hair with wonder
full nicely. and opening his wardrobe
he drew out his other coat and
brushed that. too. though in a sulkl
sort of way. frowning fiercely and
pouching his lips.
WATT" he muttered. catching
sight o: a pack of cards on his table.
TN cut for it. Red I'll go. Black:
won't go
He shuffled the cards. with most
unusual care. separated the pack.
groaned heavily and looked al the
card he had cut
The nine Of spades.
There" he cried. Now it is set
tied Now l won't co."
And grooming again. he opened a
paper bag and took out two new
neckties. one Of green silk. one OF
blue After torment of comparison
he selected the green one and draped
il around his collar as though the fate
of empires depended upon the beauty
of the effect.
Il know what III do" he said,
catching sight of the pincushion. I'll
just count these pins. If it's an even
number I'll go. II it's odd, | won't
go
One. two three fifteen . T..
sixteen =. seventeen
There" he muttered. wiping his
brow. after he had kneaded the pin
cushion in vain for another pin. now
/ won't co.
1t suddenly seemed to him that the
green tie was not as becoming as the
blue one He made the change with
f"verish fingers. dashed into his coat
and hat sroaned again
And out he went
iAh. my beloved ones. take heedC
Il know what I'll do" he muttered.
as he came 10 crossing. If I can get
over to the other sidewalk in less than
ten steps. I'll go. II it takes more
than ten steps | won't &c"
And though he strobe over the cross
ing, with giant strides. almost injurinS
himself in his unbiased endeavor. he
for the life of him.
Now" he growled fiercely TO him
self Now | won't CO.,
Setting his teeth. he charged into
florists shop ard bought dozen
roses Ite laid these across his arm.
strobe out again and moodily contem-
plated the night.
If that car stops, I'll CO." he NUT
tered III it doesn't stop, l won't go.
1t didn't stop.
There" he groaned. as though in
relief. Now it is settled"
Whe. eupon he entered a candy shop
and bought a pound OF the best.
ncf vraIk hl0rk this
way" he said TO himself and then
III turn right around and go home
So he walked one block that way.
One more" he said.
So he walked one more.
Now another" he said.
So he walked another.
Now this one" he said.
Bu, in the middle of this one he
stopped and looked at a certain house.
scowling at it spitefully and pouching
his lips again.
I'll go up the steps he muttered.
and come right down aeain-just TO
show myself I can do IL.
At the top Of the steps be stepped
into the vestibule. placed the flowers
and candy on the moor ana drew Tue
penny out Of his pocket.
'Heads I'll ring the bell" said he.
Tails I won't"
Tais ii was.
Best two out OF three he said.
Tails again.
Rest three out Of five
Tails again.
Whereupon he picked up the candy
and the flowers. turned around and
rang the he'll.
The door opened. lie entered: and
toward midnight. when the door re-
opened and he reappered. maiden
kissed him with an unmistakable air
Of Ownership. and whispered TO him
that he was her iion-hearted knight.
All nv beloved oue6 take heed. for