Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-23
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
MIR. PEEVER'S
SUCCESSFUL ROMANCE
By Pearl Brdgg Meyer

6 AHEM. ahem" Mr.. Peever' posing
"A before the sitting-room mirror.
cleared his throat vigorously.
my year F'lossie Jane, may l have
the honor of Offering" That sounded
all wrong. Mr.. Peever sighed. IL he
made such mess of the rehearsals.
how would he carry through the pro-
posal itself? This was the worst Job
had had ever tackled. he thought dis
mally. Still, it had to be done.
With thoughtful eye he planced about
the cozy sitting room and wondered how
Mrs. Rollins. his faithrui housekeeper,
would accept the change. Young women
we're not AS precise about a house as
settled folks. OF course, F'lossie Jane
would bring that bull-pup. And, of
course. the bull-pup would tear the lace
curtainsO And of couise, Mrs.s Rollins
would have a thousand fits. She might
even serve notice. Mr.. Peever paled at
the thought. He was positive that Flos-
sic Jane could not cook for cent. But
Flossie Jane had yellow ringlets and
eyes that one never forgot.
The distance from his house to hers
was not great Mr.. Peever had but to
traverse a little park. turn down Eller-
ton avenue and walk one block TO her
the knocker.
The trim maid answered his sum
mons. No. Miss Flossle was not at
home. They did not know at what hour
she. would return: Would he step in
and wait? All right. they would tell
her he had called. The door closed
gently
Chestfallen, Mr.. Pcever started down
the steps which he had ascended with
such high hopes.
4. IL l..
park where he seated himself on a
rustic bench under the companionable
rays of street light.
Now a little idea awoke in his brain.
If one listened one might ovCrhear
something-for there were more things
than the goodnight twitterings of birds
TO be heard at evening in the park
that might give one hint how best to
word a proposal He settled back with
a broad smile at the fascinating pros
poets of such possibility.
suddenly he started and glanced cau-
tiously over his shoulder. On the fur
ther side of the thick clump of bushes
from where he was sitting must be an
other bench, a bench discrcctly removed
from the enlghtening influence of the
noise. His face fell BY the sign of
that significant sound he knew he had
missed the prelminaries. And the pre-
limnaries We're just what worried him,
Say, came IL VOICE lTOIll tnt SltbHl,
who's that fellow that hangs around
your place?'
He's a friend of Dads. What do
you suppose he calls me? 'tlossie
Jane" She drawled the words with
comic emphasis. NO one else ever calls
me that. can't help the Jane 1t was
wished on me when ! was too little TO
object" continued the hippant voice
"Is he rich?' queried the masculine
speaker.
But oh, you bald spot! =! \ duet Of
filters followed this sally.
Mr., Peever seemed to shrink bodily.
His shoulders slumped until his chin
disappeared far down his collar. Flossie
Jane. If he had only known how she
felt about that Jane.
Followed more talk of Il personal ma
ture. such conversation as Mr.. Pecver
himself had hoped to share with Flossie
Jane. Finally the two arose to depart.
As the sound of their footsteps came
nearer Mr.. Peever. sat bolt upright. gaa-
ing innocently at the starry heavens.
Vie held himself so well in hand that
in answer to Flossie's breathloss Good
evening" he managed to give quite a
natural start of surprise.
Good evening good evening"" he eX-
claimed.
The couple passed on.
"Do you suppose he heard us?" whis-
pcred the girl in a clear voice that car
what do YOU care If he did?" was
the louder, unconcerned response of her
escort.
The light from his own sitting room
trickled enticingly Through the lilac
branches that shaded the window. Mrs
Rollins was in there-he could see her
bowed head
on the threshold Of the sitting room
he halted. Mrs. Rollins glanced up and
nodded a greeting. AS if he had not
h.r Mr OF .nI.,
gazing over her head. After a moment: !:
Mrs. Rollins, this is a strange world, "
he commenced impressively.
Mrs. Rollins dropped her sewing and
looked anxiously into his face.
"Why-what-?" she calculated.
strange things happen in it," con-
tinued Mr., Peever, still rivetng his
gaze on the wall.
"Yes-yes-" breathed the widow
an expression of alarm overspreadng
her round face.
II knew your late husband very well. "
Mr. Pcever's tones were funereal
Yes She leaned forward, breath.
less with suspense.
Mr.. Peever inhaled deeply, prepared
for the plunge, lost courage and Topped
broads!de. "He was a good man"
80 he was, Mr.. Peever, so he was
Mrs Rollins shifted mournfully in mem.
ory of the longdeparted
There was a deep silence Suddenly
Mr.. Peever flung his arms despairingly
in the air and commenced frantically
TO pace the room.
Mrs, Rollins" he hoomcd, striving &c
pluck courage from the sturdy vigor OF
his own voice. II am trying to tell you
that | want to marry yOu-but yol
don't Secm to understand"
Back flew the color into Mrs. Rollins's
cheeks. "Why-why-Mr Pecver," sht
twittered in 9 pretty dutter Of relieve
confusion. II thought-why-I thought
somebody was dead :"
''Do you mean yes?" persisted Mr.
Peever. courage, Towering joyously
within him.
The widow dropped her head hi
and nodded, just as he reached her side
There is always something to h,
thankful for" quoth Mr.. PceVer with
beaming countenance,' but-he did not
say it aloud.
Next complete noveiette-The Dream
Lady.