11.   Only a few cases of minor betrothal have surfaced in New York in recent months, but they are enough to cause concern the practice is spreading.

12.   That practice has now spread to highly selective schools, including some that are need-blind and meet full demonstrated need.

13.   The practice has spread to suburban corporate office parks.

14.   The practice even spread to some who could barely afford it.

15.   The practice has spread across the globe in response to demands from investors in financial markets for proof that governments will remain committed to inflation-fighting.

16.   The practice spread especially with the advent of disposable lighters, popularizing a way for concertgoers to express the feelings stirred by a sentimental song.

17.   This, of course, is even more objectionable to those who do not want the practice to spread.

18.   But he said the practice is spreading with the arrival of large numbers of Congolese refugees.

19.   Gundlach said the practice was spreading to other industries, including computer software, compact discs, books, apparel and tobacco.

20.   Officials admit they do not know the extent of internet gambling in the Virgin Islands, but they expect the practice to spread with the wider use of computers.