Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-11-08
AN ANTIsEPTIc ENGAGEMENT
Girl Read About Germs and Got Into
Predicament.

lengaged over a year-since an idyllic
summer at Lake Mohonk, where we
had come to the supreme understand
ing intuitively and inevitably rather
than by any conscious intent. Tech
nically, we had been engaged two
months Ours had been an ideal
friendship and gave promise Of an
ideal marriage. We fitted into each
other like the halves Of a perfect
whole. 1t seemed that the gods had
planned it all and we were but will
Ing, foolishly happy puppets in their
hands. The blending Of our love and
personalities was beautiful to see.
Then came the serpent in our garden
Of Eden, with the usual serpent re-
suits.
1t happened on this wise. When
called one evening Florilla did not
kiss me as was her custom. offered
myself as usual but she purposely or
absent-mindedly ignored me. I felt
extremely awkward. It flashed through
my mind that her love for me had be-
gun to grow cold. It filled me with
uneasiness and at the same time fan
ned my passion into flame.
I caught her In my arms impulsive-
ly and kissed her. Kissed her on the
snaky coils Of her hair for to my dis
may when she fathomed my intention
she ducked her face and must per-
force expend the exuberance Of my
affection upon her hair-or was 1t
her hair?
She struggled from my embrace,
holding her hands out defensively.
Don't, Harold, don't. You mustn't
kiss me-"
"Florilla, what has come over you?"
I asked, following her up.
We entered the parlor and sank
into chair, staring at my fiance in
perplexity. She sat down 80 that the
piano separated US, and regarded me,
I thought with an air Of troubled re-
straint.
What have I done, F1orilla, that
you welcome me-or don't welcome
me-in this cold, odd manner?"
you've done nothing. Harold.
Don't look at me that way. I love you
just the same. No, I love you more
more than ever-more intelligently.
You know people should be sensible
in their love as in other things. Just
as sanitary" she faltered sheepish-
| ly.
| "Florilla, what are you driving at ?"
I said, rising and taking step toward
her. She seemed so unlike herself.
please sit down. Harold, and let
me explain" she said determinedly.
i've been reading"
Reading? What has that to do
with your refusing to kiss me?"
Don't interrupt me, Harold. I've
been reading that wonderful book,
The Insidious Pervasiveness Of
Germs by Prof. Helmbalts Won Bal
doni. He says people little suspect the
danger that threatens them every
minute Of their lives; that there are
millions Of deadly germs lowering
about us waiting favorable opportu-
nifty to assault US, strike US down.
They are in the air, on the furniture
and bric-a-brac, on our clothing and
bodies. He says larvae are more to
be feared than lions. You shouldn't
have kissed my hair, Harold. You
were taking an awful"
"Florilla, what nonsense. Won Bal
doni Is crazy
IT'S terrible to think of, Harold
Florilla went on ignoringly; but he
said where there was "a mustache or
beard-it gave me the creeps when I
read that, and we'd always been so
reckless. And you have such a little
dear Of a mustache. But think, dear,
what might have happened. That's the
reason, dear Harold, didn't kiss you,"
she said naively, her eyes avoiding
mine.
$50 your fear of Baldoni germs out
weighs your love for me-" said coldly.
Harold, don't be unreasonable. 4
love you just the same. only couldn't
think Of endangering-we-ca love
each other just as devotedly-"
And cut out unsanitary osculation,"
I interrupted ironically. you are quite
correct. I couldn't think for a mo-
ment Of inoculating you with any Of
the fifty-seven varieties of insidious
germs Prof. Baldoni writes Of so illu-
minatingly. So ours will be kissless
engagement. We will love strictly
along sanitary and scientific lines. Is
there anything else Prof. Won Baldoni
advises lovers to cut out? While we
are at it, we had better settle on some
definite programme 80 as to avoid the
chance of embarrassing each other"
Now, don't be silly, Harold. There's
nothing we need to cut out-if-you'd
cut your mustache. Really would you
dislike 1t very much Harold?"
And you'll stand for the conse-
quences?'
Yes"
And We'll begin again on the old
common sense kissing basis?"
Yes, DEAR"
Il warn you, Florilla, 1t will make q
difference in my appearance. You've
never seen me shaven."
How foolish. Do you think fell In
love with your mustache? It's such a
delicate little mustache, too Harold"
WINGED, for she spoke true. 1t was
delicate little mustache. But I was
proud of it, and 1t had been cultivated
to even its unpretentiousness at an ex-
penditure of much time and care.
You were kind enough once" said
reproachfully, ito say it was hand
some That it gave me distinguished
air."
80 did. It does. But may admire
you even more with 1t off, If that were
possible, and-and I'd feel so much
safer"
Then off she, ne or it, goes" I said
with heroic finality. Never again will
you see me adorned with hirsute,
delicate or otherwise, II 1t brings the
shadow of a shade between U.S."
rose and bent over her, seizing her
arm.