The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-06
:STORY OF THE DAY
A LITTLE DIPLOMACY.
by Even Macpherson.

from his Office that evening. As rule,
he rode homo on his wheel, and his home
was in that very pleasant though new
house with the largo garden separated
by a wall and handsome iron ratings
from the street, a good way out on the
| principal residence thoroughfare. ms
particular evening in the fall he was ratn-
I err late, most al TIE hoaae~ard bound had
reached their destinations, so Charlie
walk in The dusk was lonely.
| His way in was through the iron Wicket
with the fine scrollwork on either SIDE
| The gate fastened with a spring latch
and opened from the outside with a latch
! Key, IKE a street 90oE When ne had gone
| up the brick path he would find the door
Of the house itself unlocked. That was
| the custom OF the family.
As he put his latch key into the wicket
| he wondered whether his mother was
keeping supper waiting for him. Then he
Turned the key, pushed the iron gate ana
was startled by a sudden exclamation.
"Oh! It's your
The voice came from behind one OF the
brick pillars Of the gate, and II MADE
Charlie jump.
who's that?" he said. trying to make
out the shadowy figure.
ITS me- came the notwithstanding an
swer in meek voice. Il couldn't get the
latch undone. il was open. l mean IL
slipped"
lie could not see her face. and the
statements. ITS you" and IT'S me
told him nothing. Of themselves; but he
recognized the voice at the second speak
ing.
Miss saxby?"
YES"
"why didn't they come down with you
and let you out? Or won't you stay TO
SUPERB
>'They don't know. haven't been in
the house. Please let me out"
No man could resist the pathetic tone
Of entreaty ia this last request. Charlie
felt simply obliged 20 waive hospitable
customs ana open the gate. AS he stood
there politely bowling Miss SaSoy shot
out into the deserted street as bird
flies from an open cage.
Charlie entered the house just as the
family were collecting for supper. Inc
first person he met was his sister, and
the first words he said TO her were
"Chrissie what IS the matter with MIN
ME Saxby?'
II didn't know there was anything the
matter with her. How do you mean! III
mind. body. or estate?'
what are you talking about? | mean
IS she-ls she getting little eccentricY'
Matter OF opinion said Chrissie IN
her brisk way. pulling her brother along
with her into the dining room. some
saw she always has been A good deal &C.
Somehow Charlie Cantel thought ne
ought not 20 answer this question. 30
he said "Oh. nothing"
If he had only known that was ABOUT
as nl-chosen an answer for his purpose
as he could have made.
Chrissie was quite shrewd enough TO
guess that something lay behind her
brothers sudden abrupt question and MS
equally sudden dropping of the subject
he had begun On-the subject or Minnie
SaxbV. Als0 she WIS much too shrewd
10 seem 70 be anxious TO find out what
the something was. Put she made up
her mind on that point before she had
unfolded her napkin, and at the same
time she made up her mind to get az the
secret by either OF two ways-Minnle OF
Charlje-eifber would DO.
A smile. That. Chrissie resolved would
be g very effective INSTRUMENT 10 unlock
tho secret. Chrissie had several smiles,
all peculiar 70 herself. ana as fascinating
as a little red mouth and remarkably
white teeth could make them. So she
selected the particular smile that should
extort n confession from one OF these
two conspirators. For people who tried
10 keep from Christie Cantel a secret
concerning the happiness of her favorite
brother were Of course cOnspirators. And
she was sure that this secret-about
Minnie Saxby, a girl with whom any
youth would naturally fail fri love
must certainly concern Charles happi-
ness.
With that selected smile Chrissle met
Minnie SaNby bright and early next
morning. 1t was not a chance meeting,
but very simply and easily secured see
ing that Christie knew exactly a. what
hour Alnnie's singing lesson ended Tues
days ana Thursdays.
IL was smile as Of one who knows all
about It, and from whom it IS useless to
try TO conceal anything. Poor Minnie saw
1t and inwardly collapsed. blushing and
saying within herself He has told her
all about It,"
81 don't know what you'll think or me,
she said. did he tell your
Tell me?" said Chrissle. taking note
of the blush and intensifying her ALL
knowing smile. Tell me what? He? Who
IS hep
ION, can hardly look You in the face,
Christie"
why dear?"
Because"
Then there was silence. Minnie came
very near 10 finding out that her friend
was utterly without clue and might be
Kept IN the DARK just rs long as she
NInnic) chose. But Chrissie soon saw
the danger and said. just 10 help out the
knowing effect OF the smile, II met him
lust as he came into the house"
Good graciousl And he went and told
you everything"
Aqafn the deem a'1-k3oWing smile,
"r didn't think-" Minnie began.
"Oh. come now. Minnie, what harm
was therc?'
Harm" said Minnie Indignantly. 81
should think not. 7 would have rung the
bell. Of course. only
"O1ly what2" Cbyissie put in. feeling
that now she was coming close 10 the
secret.
"Ony I didn't see any necessity. II
had thought you expected me to-
Here the cunning investigator felt
wise To turn her face aside knowing that
the powerful smile must mOmentarily be
giving way 10 an expression or blank
bewilderment. What on earth could the
girl mean By IF 7 had thought you ex-
pected me tor" Where did she. Chrissie,
come I'm the thrilling love story?
Il didn't expect you 10, dear" she
tbouoihf {. sof. IN say. And then not