Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-05-02
PEEVER'S ROMANCE
BY PEARL BRAGG MEYER.
Copyright. 1919. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per SyndicateD


per SyndicateD
"Ahem. ahem!" Mr.. Peever. posing
before the sitting room mirror. cleared
his throat vigorously.
my dear Floss!c Jane. may have
the honor Of Offering" That sounded
Ill wrong. Mr.. Peever sighed. If he
made such mess of the rehearsals
how would he carry through the pro-
poSal itself? This was the worst job
Ire had ever tackled. he thought dis
mally.. Still, 1t had to be done.
=, At this juncture, if Mr.. Peever had
been like some men, he would have
cheered himself by turning his thoughts
to his bank account. AS 1t was. how
ever, he commenced meditating on his
bald spot. Even here he found con-
ISOLATION. He noted with satisfaction
that it did not ShOw-when his hat
was on. There is always something
TO be thankful for" quoth Mr.. Pecver.
With thoughtful eye he glanced
about the cosy sitting room and won
dered how Mrs. Rollins, his faithful
housekeeper. would accept the change.
Young women were not as precise
about house as settled folks. or
course FiOSSie Jane would bring that
bull pup. And. Of course. the bull pup
would tear the lace curtains. And, OF
course, Mrs. Rollins would have u thou
sand fits.
The distance from his house to hers
WAS not great.
The trim maid answered his sum-
mons. No, Miss Flossie was not ut
home.
Crestfallen, Mr.. Peever started down
the steps which he had assembled with
such high hopes.
His meanderings led him back to the
park.
Suddenly he started and glanced
cautiously over his shoulder.
Say" came a voice from the gloom.
who's that fellow that hangs around
your placer"
He's Il friend Of dads. What do
you suppose he calls me? 'Flossie
Jane She drawled the words with
comic emphasis. mo one else ever
calls me that. I can't help the Jane
1t was wished on me when l was too
little to object" continued the tiippant
voice.
as he rch?" quericd the masculine
speaker.
"You just bet he u.s." laughed the
girl. But oh. you bald spot A duet
Of filters followed this sally.
Followed more talk of Il personal ma
ture, such conversation as Mr.. Peever
himself had hoped TO share with F'lOs-
sic Jane. Finally the two arose to de-
part. AS the sound of their footsteps
came nearer, Mr.. Pcever sat bolt up
right, gazing innocently ut the starry
heavens. He held himself so well in
hand that in answer to FlOSSie's
breathlcSS "GoOd-evcning! he man
aged to give quite Al natural start of
surprise.
The couple passed on.
'Do YOU suppose he heard us?"
whispered the girl in n clear voice that
carried straight to Mr.. Pcevcrs bench.
what do you care if he did!" was
the louder, unconcerned RESPONSE of
her escort.
Alone in the comforting circle of
lamplisht, Mr.. Pccver claSpcd and un-
clasped his hands. clasped them again
and unclasped them
The light from his own sitting room
trickled cnticingly through the lilac
branches that shaded the window. Mrs.
Rollins was in tIcrc-he could see her
bowed head She was sewing on but
tons and darning holes, he thought
with a thrill Of quiet satisfaction. With
q sudden spring in his step, Mr.. Pccver
entered his own door.
On the threshold Of the sitting room
he halted. Mrs. Rollins glnnccd up and
nodded Il greeting. AS if he had not
seen her, Mr.. Pcrvcr stood solemnly
gain" over her head. After IL moment:
Mrs Rollins, this is n strange
world" h" commenced iinprrssircIy.
Mrs. Rollins cropped her sewing and
looked aiiXinuSly into his face.
''Why--what-T she cjuculatcd
"Strange things happen in it," con-
tinued Mr.. Pcrvcr, still rivcting his
gaze on the wall.
"Yrs-ycs-" brpathed the widow,
an expression of alarm ovcrsprcading
her round face.
II knew your late husband very
we'll" Mr.. l'cevcr's tones were flu
ncreal
Yes" She leaned forward, breath
less with suspense.
Mr.. rcevcr inhaled deeply, prepared
for the plunge, lost courage and flop
ped broadside. ale was q good man."
$50 he was. Mr.. Pecver so he was"
Mrs. Rollins shifted mournfully in
memory of the I0ng-dcpnrted.
There was Il deep silence. Suddenly
Mr.. Pccver flung his arms despairingly
in the air and commenced frantically
to pace the room.