Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-06-13
Game for Two

NOW, as ne entered the parlOr ne
gave the impression of a young gen
tleman whose hands were empty, and
no matter how he was viewed the gaze
few back to the emptiness of his hands.
Oh, most Enthusiastically empty were his
hands, and absolutely innocent of eth
er candy or flowers. Most conscious
ly empty, too, they were, blushing a
dull red as they hung by their thumbs
from his waistcoat pockets in a sheep
ish sort of way, hanging in shame, as
lit were, and yet with a sort of sullen
bravado, as though saying:
We'll, what of it?"
! Yes, even thus our hero entered the
parlor and said:
"Hello!"
And as his salutation is subdued
into silence, let US look at the lady
in the case and see whether the eye of
circumspection can come to rest on a
matter so mobile. Plump and coy
and divinely short was the lady in
question, with pert, quick manner of
movement and eyes that were alter
nately bright with speculation or
brighter yet with conviction.
How late you are!"
YES" said he, II made up my mind
that, beginning with the new year,
was going to work hard, and that's
what kept me-"
"Gracious!" said she, and again she
looked at the emptiness and the sheep
ishness of his hands.
! Il didn't bring any flowers to-
! might" he said. 'Td been thinking it
over, and it seemed such a-such "a
such a-such a-that, anyway, l swore
off,"
MY" said she, and swinging her
foot, she asked, in careless man
ner: Did you swear anything else
off, John?"
Well" he said, avoiding her eye,
candy"
and brighter grew her glance.
And concerts" he continued, his
voice dropping a note and hanging
over the edge of the tragics.
And even brighter grew her glance.
And all sorts of shows" he con-
Guided, far, far down the keyboard.
MY" said she. you were busy!"
"Yes," he said, trying to look at
her in a significant manner. And
now I'll be able to save a little money
and then"
Flowers" she said, raising one
finger
He nodded.
Candy" she said, raising another.
He nodded again.
Concerts"
l Again he nodded.
"And all sorts of shows" she con.
! GUIDED.
\ And, nodding again, he drew a long
breath and made room for her on the
sofa, saying:
"Grace!"
NO" she mournful1y made answer.
i've sworn off"
y Sworn off what?"
u Sitting on the sofa like you meant
] / made up my mind that beginning
with the new year, was keeping you
away from your work too much So,
I just swore off," And, shaking her
head, she sighed: mo. No more,
John"
Whereupon he went over to her
with considerable velocity of locomo-
ton, holding out his hand and crying
with emotion:
"Grace!"
NO." she murmured, putting her
hands behiud her and shaking her
: head. i've sworn that off, too, John!"
Sworn what OFF," demanded John.
Holding hands," she murmured
again.
"You have, have you?"
, ooh, dear, yes!" And still keeping
her hands behind her, she looked up
! at him and pleasantly remarked What
a beautiful day it has been, john"
But as for John he marched out into
the hall, damned his hat on his head,
E and laid violent hands upon his coat.
She followed him.
"Goodby!" he muttered.
"Goodby, john" she pleasantly an
swered him.
Goodby forever!" he said, Furnishing
his coat.
ooh, that's such a long time!" she
said.
$50 it's all over between u.s." he
! scowled, turning up his coat collar and
looking ferocious.
And as for John, John slammed
the door open, passed out into the yes
tibule and banged the door behind him,
From the hall inside she pleasantly
waved her hand at him and turning to
annihilate her with an awful look his
eyes fell upon the solitaire that gleam-
ed from one of her fingers.
Here, | want my ring back" he
| oantomimed to her through the glass
Of the door.
To which she pleasantly pantomim-
ed back:
! 1--WE sworn off giving rings back,
] John"
! And pleasantly drew down the blind.
And as for John, John sat down on
the top step buried in thought, from
which he emerged at last, saying to
himself:
Il wonder if I'd better get some
flowers and candy and come right back
or telephone her in the morning that
III call for her tomorrow night and
take her to show?"
And as a certain picture arose be-