Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-05-07
PEEVER'S ROMANCE
BY PEARL BRAGG MEYER.
opyright, 1913. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)

"Ahem, aheml" Mr.. Peever, posing
before the sitting room mirror, cleared
his throat vigorously.
MY dear Flossie Jane, may I have
the honor Of Offering That sounded
oil wrong. Mr.. Peever sighedN II he
made such a mess Of the rehearsals
how would he carry through the pro-
posal itself7 This was the worst job
he 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 meditatlng on his
bald spot. Even here he found con-
ISOLATION. He noted with satisfaction
that Ii did not show-when his hat
was on. "There is always something
to be thankful for" quoth Mr.. Peever.
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 rs precise
about a house as settled folks. Of
eourse F1ossie Jane would bring that
bull pup. And, Of course, the bull pup
would tear the lace curtains. And, of
course, Mrs. Rollins would have a thou
sand fits.
The distance from his house to hers
was not great.
The trim maid answered his sum-
mons. No, Miss Flossle was not at
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,
your placer"
Hes a friend Of dads. What do
you suppose he calls mef 'Flossie
Jane" She drawled the words with
comic emphasis. mo one else eve
calls me that. / can't help the Jane
IT was wished on me when l was too
little to object" continued the fippant
voice.
els he rich?" queried the masculine
speaker.
"You just bet he IT," laughed the
girl. "But, oh, you bald spot!" A duet
Of filters followed this sally.
Followed more talk of a personal ma
ture, such conversation as Mr.. Peever
himself had hoped to share with Flos-
sic Jane. Finally the two arose to de-
part. As the sound of their footsteps
came nearer, Mr.. Peever sat bolt up |
right, gazing innocently at the starry
heavens. He held himself SC well In
hand that in answer to Flossie's
breathless "Good-eveningl" he a
hged to give quite a natural start of
surprise.
The couple passed On.
DO you suppose he heard usr
Whispered h girl IL g clear yalee that
Carried straight to Mr.. Peever's bench.
"What do you care II he dbl" was
the louder, unconcerned response Of
her escort.
Alone In the comforting circle of
lamplight, Mr.. Peever clasped and I'M
clasped his hands, clasped them again
and unclasped them.
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. 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.. Peever
entered his W door.
On the threshold Of the sitting room
he halted. Mrs. Rollins glanced up and
nodded a greeting. AS II he had not
seen her, Mr.. Peever stood solemnly
gazing over her head. After q moment:
'Mrs. Rollins, this is O strange
world" he commenced impressively.
Mrs. Rollins dropped her sewing and
looked a~nxiously into his face.
"Why-what-T she calculated.
"Strange things happen in It," con-
tlnued Mr.. Peever. still riveting his
gaze on the wall.
"Yes-yes-" breathed the widow,
IN expression Of alarm overspreading
her round face.
Il knew your late husband very
WELL" Mr.. Peever's tones were flu
hereal.
eyes" She leaned forward. breath
less with suspense.
Mr.. Peever inhaled deeply, prepared
Tor the plunge, lost courage and flop
ped broadside. "He was q good man."
$50 he was, MI. Peever, so he was"
Mrs. Rollins shifted mournfully in
memory Of the long-departed.
There was q deep silence. Suddenly
Mr.. Peever flung his arms despairingly
IN the air and commenced frantlcally
to pace the room
"Mrs. Rollins!' he doomed, striving
to pluck courage from the sturdy vlgor
Of his own voice. II am trying to tell
you that ! want to marry you-but you
don't seem to understand"
Back few the color into Mrs. Roll
Inns cheeks. "Why-why-Mr. Peeva
or" she twittered In q pretty fiutter
Of relieved confusion. II thought
why-I thought-somebody was deadi"
do you NEAR yesf" persisted Mr..
peever. courage towering joyously
within him.
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