LEAP-YEAR EPISODE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 72, 14 March 1908, Page 3

LEAP-YEAR EPISODE

The fart that, leap-year has tome round again reminds us of the following true story: — Thev were seaU'd in the parlour, art'i the dock had struck the hour of Urn. They were an economical young couple, never utilising but one chair for both to sit upon, and lie always clasped his arms about her waist to prevent her from' falling oil'. The young ladv was handsome, and slie was exceedinlv clever, as the sequel will show, while her male companion was as stupid as a goose. She was rather tall and slender, had bright eyes, io-v Aeeks, blonde hair, and invariably wore a mauve-coloured silk dress. _ They had discussed the weather probabilities, her liapa's rheumatism, her dear mama s neuralgia, ami '>» the other stereotyped topics, interspersed row and then "tt'ith a |on»-drawn sigh or a kiss, and the conversation began to drag wearily on. At lust a bright idea entered her little bead. She said: "Did you ever study palmistry?* f ' jtfSi Well. Xellv," he replied, " 1 can t say 1 have. Of what does it treat?" Wliv." murmured Nelly, "it is an art whereby you can tell a person's future by examining the palm of the haiiil. Would you like to know yo.U' future''" , " I haven't tin* slightest objection. She took his hand gently in hers an-l. after making a careful diagnosis of th« creases in it. >aid: " You come of a longlived faniilv: your grandfather lived to l„. ~i..hlv-two'.years ..f age and your iiijinu;licr -event y-liw. mother an lather -till liuiin -- '

' ■■ Why, NTelly. I told you all thai- Hie ullu't' night.' ■'Well, thai due* ii"t make (he slightest hit »t ditl'en-nii-. I could inform vou ol' the facts hy this art. supposing von had never told me anything ahout them. But pardon the digression. You wiM probably live to lie seventy-one veins ol agio,' thereabouts; yon al'-' desperately 111 love with a siveei t ,o,i;.g girl, hut too liashfnl to pop tlie momentous question: there are iuo or three suitors for her hand, hut she is yours, ami yoiiis only (sighing): she loves vou. dear I'.eorge, with that maddening flame which can"only he the luscious fruit of a trusting young heart: she would make you a good wife (pressing his hand softly): she is tall and slender, has iil'itiilt hhlc <'VCs. rosy cheek-, hlollde hair, dresses in nuiuve cnioni cd silk " ■■ Sto]i!" shrieked lleorge. " I can stand it 110 longer! you lie mine? And she he-minded.