The Coconino weekly sun., 1896-10-01
.You will have yourself to blame if

he doesn't," Phyllis said, severely.
 Do you really think so? don't want to be horrid," Maud exclaimed, with some anxiety.
 You must be very nice to him then. Let him see you do care for him just . little. Oh, do want to see you as happy us l am, dear!" cried Phyllis.
 "A sensible woman can be just as happy unmarried" said Maud, who had dabbled in serious literature.
 Nonsense, you know she can't; and we're not going to discuss those silly questions, we had much better settle about the bridesmaids and where We shall live. We'll live somewhere near each other, won't we?"
 "Yes, dear, of course. Chelsea is nice, isn't it? George has married sister there, though that might be d drawback" answered Maud.
 "It would be-" assented Phyllis; "Ar- thur likes Campden Hill"
 But after all, Phyllis, I'm not at all sure care enough about George"
 "How annoying you are!" exclaimed Phyllis. Just when everything was settled. Look here, Maud; write him nice little note and ask him to lunch or tea, or something; your mother won't mind, or say you'll be at home on Sunday, and then--then you can ar range things, you know. That will be the best way, for it is silly to pretend you aren't in love with him."
 Shall I really write?" said Maud, with show of hesitation.
 "Certainly; here are the paper and pen and everything. Write it bere, and I'll send Jane to the post with it at once."
 Maud succnmbed to her friends deter imitation and wrote Q carefully -worded note to Mir. Stratton. in which she gent Iy reproached him for not having been to sec her mother and herself lately, and she said how glad they would be if he came to lunch on the following Sunday.
 Phyllis was satisfied with it, and rang the bell for the maid. "Now, darling. everything will come right" she said. How happy he'll be! Imay call him George. too, mayn't I?'
 Maud blushed and said she supposed she might, and just then the servant came in.
 "Take this to the post at once. please. Jane," said Phyllis.
 "Yes. miss, and this letter has just come for you," answered the maid.
 Phyllis took the letter and the girl left the room with Maud's note.
 "Whom is your letter from? seem to know the writing" said Maud.
 "Only from Ethel Jervis-Carter; she does write to me sometimes about noth- ing in particular" answered Phyllis. She had not read many lines of the let ter before she gave little cry of dis may.
 Whats the matter?" asked Maud, see ing her emotion.
 "Nothing," stammercd Phyllis. "At least, nothing interesting; and don. believe it's true"
 Don't be silly, Phyllis; tell me what it is?"
 "There; read it!" said Phyllis, and Maud read
 You will be glad to hear of my en- gagement to George Stratton; you and Maud know him, so you will understand how happy am. We hope to be married soon-' Maud read more; she was very pale.
 "Thanks,' she said, giving the paper back; "it is very interesting"
 I'm so horribly sorry" began Phyl- lis.
 For having made q fool of me? You ought to be-" said her friend, stonily.
 "l never meant" said Phyllis.
 "iou made me write that wretched note, l shall never forgive you," said Maud. drawing on her gloves, and ris- ing from her chair with the air of cast, ing the dust of her friends house from her feet.
 "lt was mere suggestion" Phyllis pleaded.
 Ut was extremely bad taste"
 "But you agreed with mel"
 No; it was entirely your doing" answered Maud. However, of course. it does not really affect me at all."
 of course not" said Phyllis.
 Maud swept out of the room, went home, and wrote second note to Mir. to congratulate him on the de- lightful news she had just heard, and would he bring Ethel with him to lunch on Sunday?
 Phyllisremorsefully resolved that she would never again try to provide con- solation for desolate friends.-Madame
 Not DisioyaL