The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-15
Game for Two

Ho WdtteT now ne was viewed the gaze
flew back to the emptiness of his hands
On. 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
ii were. and yet with a sort of sullen
oravado. as though saying:
Well. 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
circumsrectiOn can come to rest on a
matter SO mobile. Plump and coy
and diyinely 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, Il made up my mind
that. beginning with the new year.
was going TO work hard, and that
what kept me-"
! ''GraciOus!" said she, and again she
looked at the emptiness and the sheep
ishness of his hands.
Ii didn't bring any flowers to-
night" he said I'D been thinking il
over, and it seemed such a-such a
such a-such a-lhat, anyway, Iswore
of
My" said she, and swinging her
foot. She asked, in careless man
ncr: Did YOU swear anything else
off .Iohn?"
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 trapics.
And even brighter grew her glance.
And all sorts of shows" he con
cludcd. 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 little money
and then"
Flowers" she said. raising one
finger.
lie nodded.
Candy" she said. raising another
He nodded again.
Concerts"
Again he nodded.
And all sorts Of shows" she con.
cluded.
And, nodding again, he drew a long
breath and made room for her on the
sofa, saying:
"Grace!"
no" she mournfully made answer.
i've sworn OF !"
Sworn on what"
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.
just sworc on" And, shaking acr
head, she sighed: No No more,
John
Whcreupon he wen, over to her
with considerable velocity of locomo-
ton. holding oui his hand ard crying
with emotion:
Grace
No" she mnrmurcd, putting her
hands behind 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 your
oh, dear, yes" And still keeping
her hands behind her, she looked up
at him and pleasantly remarked what
beautiful day it has been, john"
But as for John, he marched out into
the hail. jammed his hat on his head,
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.
"Oh, that's such a long time." she
said.
so 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
thule 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
pantommed to her through the glass
of the door.
To which she pleasantly pan'onim-
ed back:
I've 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 a. last, saying to
himself:
wonder il Id better get some
movers and candy and come right back
or telephonp her in tho utorninp that