Smyrna times., 1917-12-26

can't remember that long.
'What? Why, Dick LippincOtt, I
didn't know you could use such Ian
guage. If you're not careful, you'll
have your telephone taken out. That's
what it says in the bOOk-no prOfane
language.
swell, I'd like to know what it is,
then, if it isn't swearing.
"Yes, think you'd better beg my
pardon.
"T-know what you called me up for2
How should know? Say, is this going
to be another guessing affair? If it is.
I'm going to hang up. Besides, I'm
busy-awful busy.
Sewing!
"M-hm. Mending my dress that
got torn on the rose bush last night
when we were taking walk. want
to wear it to the Aliens tonight. 1t
got torn fearfully, the ribbons off the
net ruffie for a whole yard, and have
to sew it by hand.
"What do l want to wear it for?
"Oh, because. What do you want to
know for? Can't 1 wear it again If
want to?
Because you said you liked it?
''Why, 1 didn't remember. Did you
say you liked it? Well, told you be-
fore can't remember things so long.
"What is 1t? You think It's long
time, too, only for a different reason.
"Don't 1 remember anything you
said last night? Why, let me see. Wait
just q minute. Pm thinking. Yes, you
said Betty HarlOwe looked like 8 wood
nymph in that gauzy white dress she
| had on, and that Laura SeatOn was
the wittiest person you'd ever known
"Don't say thunder It sounds al
most like swearing over the phone.
"No, can't remember anything else
you said.
"You don't believe it?"
Here the receiver went up with a
bang, but Geraldine wisely waited on
the stool. In an instant the bell jim
gled furiously. She watched the phone
curiously for a full minute, smiling
over each ring. Then she took down
the receiver calmly.
'HellOl" she said, in far-away de-
tached voice.
''Yes, this is Geraldine" she went
on coldly.
'Not through! I can't conceive why
you should wish to talk to me when
you don't believe anything say.
you're sorry?
"You don't sound like 1t.
"All right, If you're really, truly
sorry, I'll forgive you.
Something very important to say
"The same thing you started to tel
me last night when 1 ran away?
81 didn't run away. Someone wa
calling me. I had to go.
'NO, haven't an idea, honestly.
"Please don't have me guessing
again. really must get back to m,
sewing.
'Why, Dick Lippincott, do you know
what you're doing? You are actuall
p-propOsing to me over the telephone
Anybody might hear you. I'm sur
Mrs. Cartwright has been trying to cal
I'D her grocer for a half-hour. She
| PROBABLY on Ine line uOW'
"Can't wait-think I'll run ava
again if you wait till tOnighte
"Won't give you a chance! Wei
you don't suppose I'm going to thro'
myself into anybody's arms, do you?
"Oh, Dick, don't say such thing
over the telephone. Besides, you can
possibly think I'd say yes, do you, eve
if I had mind to, with the whole tow
listening?
"No, can't forget it, you can SO
as you like. But won't say no eithe
for it's none of their business, is
what say? So I'm just going to
neutral-and not say anything at all.
"Why, Dick, you did say all that b
fore, about caring so much and l-lovir
me so long and everything. Do u
think you need to say it so mai
times2
"Going to say it until I answers
"Suppose 1 don't answer and Na
the telephone? What would you dof
"COme right over?
"Oh, no, you mustn't. look p'
fectly awful.
"Then I'd better answer, you say7
"Oh, Dick, I can't, with the who
town listening. Besides must ha
time to think.
"How long? Oh, fifteen minutes
least.
"Coming over2
"A-all right, Dickie; / guess 1t wo'
be better"
And hanging up the receiver, Gera
inc put her arms around the telephc
and kissed 1t tenderly.
downright. 1917, by the Mcclure News
per syndicate.l