The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-05-27


his boarding house.
This estabishment-betw which
and the cave of the smell, his existence
alternated with the monotony of
pendulum-waS situated midway on
the block on the north side of the
street
1t boasted a front yard fenced off
from the sidewalk with rusty railing:
a plot of arid earth scantily tufted
with grass. suggesting that stage of
badness which finally precedes com
plete nudity. Behind this the mont
like area was spanned to the front
door by ragged stOop of brownstone.
The house romance took the air upon
the stoOp.
George BroSs was So per centum of
the house romance The remainder
was Miss Violet Prim. Mr.. Bross sat
step or two below Miss Prim. his
knees adjacent TO his chin. his face
upturned to his charmer. wrcathed in
a fond ard fatuous smile
Saturday was her day for seeming
unusually fair to him: by the following
Thursday there would begin to be
barely perceptible shadow round the
roots of her golden hair.
Normally good looking in ordinary
daylight she was radiant beauty
across footlights. Her active young
person was modelled on generous lines.
and, as a rule clothed in a manner
which. if inexpensive. detracted moth
ing from her conspicuous sightliness.
P. Sybaitte approached the gate. At
that moment George was announcing
in an undertone. Here's the lollop
now Think | better spring it on him
now?' he inquired, in doubt
Gee. no." protested the lady in
alarm. It'd spoil the plant. sure I'd
love to watch you feed it to him. but
heaven knows I'd never be able to
hold in without Dustin"
P. Sybarite walked into the front
yard, and the chorus lady began to
crow with delight
well. look who's here. 'Tis OLD
George w. Postscript-as | live. Hith-
erwards. little one; would'st speech
myself to thee"
Smiling, ?. Sybarite approached the
pair He liked Miss Prim for her I'M
affected high spirits.
'WeIl:" he asked pleasantly. blink
ing up at the lady from the foot of the
steps. What is thy will o Breaker
of Hearts,"
"That'll be about all for yours" an
nounced Violet reprovingly. What's
all this about you givin' box party at
the Knickerbocker tonght?'
ITS a fact" affirmed P Sybarite
"Only l had counted on the pleasure
of inviting you myself" he added with
patient glance at George
Never mind about that" interposed
the lady. Pm just tickled to death
and love you lot more'n | do
George. anyway. SO that's all right
Only I was afraid for awhile be was
cOnnin' me-"
Then she jumped up and wheeled
about to the door with petticoats pro-
fessionally awhirl. well. if I'm goin
to do a stagger in society tonight. it's
me to go doll myself up to the mines
So long" She disappeared by way of
the vestibuIe.
Glass TO that kid. all right" observ-
ed George. Some stopper. take it
from me. But I'm glad it's box: then
l can hide under chair. | amt got
nothin' to 40 in but these hand-me-
downs" What are you going to wear.
anyway"
"a shave. clean collar and what |
stand in. They're all have"
'Then you got nothin' on me. What's
your rush," as P. Sybarite would
have passed on Wait shake.
wanna talk to you. Sit down and have
a Gig"
There was a hint of serious inten-
ton in the manner of the shipping
clerk to induce P. Sybarite, after the
hesitation of an instant to accede to
his request.
"Well?"
II dunno how to break it to you"
Bross faltered obviously. You better
brace yourself to lean up against the
biggest disappointment ever"
P. Sybarite regarded him with sharp
distrust. You interest me strangely,
George But perhaps you're no more
added than usual. Get it off your
chest"
We'll" said George regretfully. II
just wanna put you next to the facts
before You ask her. Miss Leasing amt
goin' TO 30 with US tonight"
P. SybaEts looked startled and griev-
ed.
I'm afraid don't understand How
do you know Miss Leasing won't go?
Did she tell you so?"
mot what you might call exactly.
but she won't, all right" George re
turned, with confidence. There amt
one chance in a hundred I'm in wrong"
I'm wHsA6? How?"
"Abous hsr being who she is.'
P. SybazAhs subjected the open, naive
eountsnalae Of the shipping clerk to