The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-06

quisitive sister, she had abundant ma
terjal for further research.
81 saw MIME Saxpy to-day she SAID
to her brother that evening"
"How is she?" said Charlie
"Oh. very well. Only rather-rather
anxious" ,, .o,d
what is she anxious about?' saio
Charlie. himself still wondering why Miss
saxbv had acted so strangely about me
simple matter OF opening a garden gate.
"Well." said Chrissie, with an air oil
extreme discretion. II think-of course
it's only an opinion; think she's anxious
about you.
about me?'
Chrissle only nodded wisely.
.Did she tell you about my meeting
herr" Charlie went on. beginning to feel
battered at the anxiety about him OF a
young lady whom he had long admired
at a distance and regarded as somewhat
unapproachable by nature.
MY dear Charlie" said his sister you
don't expect a girl TO tell everything. do
you? Even to an intimate friend2'
Charlie was more puzzled than ever.
But once more he bafiled his witty sister
by simply holding his tongue when he
had nothing to say.
This conversation took place in the par
lor after supper. Charlie sat silent for
some minutes after last dark saying OF his
sister. Presently he began to smile 10
himself Then he looked at his watch and
said. Hanged IL don't"
And. very much TO Chrissie's disap-
pointment he got up and walked out OF
the house
Not that Chrissie could not guess
where he was going.
Chrissie had her way Of getting at
mystery, and her brother had his. His
was less subtle. but he was just as per-
severing as his sister, and tho thought
t6aS Minnie Saxby was anxious about
him spurred him to exert himself TO find
out WHY she should be so anxious. That
was why he sat for over an hour in Miss
Saxby's parlor that evening waiting for
third person to take himself out OF the
way. Curiously enough. Miss Saxby SEEM
ed to use all her arts-chieny musical
to induce the third person TO prOlOng his
visit.
But at last this third person did go,
and Minnie began TO be notceably I'll at
ease in the presence of her remaining
visitor.
Il was waiting for him to CO." said
Charlie.
Minnie smiled a forced, nervous smile.
II wanted to ask you something. Chris
sic says you are anxious"
At this Miss Saxby suddenly looked
more than anxlous-she looked frightened.
What did she tell you?"
"She said she met you, and"
"And you had told her all about meet
ing me. and Lon. Mr. Cantel, I'm afraid
you'll think me a very silly girl but l
didn't want her to know about that"
"Why not? You had just come out OF
the house and couldn't open the gate
What about ~"
"But hadn't been to the house. 1 told
you So"
you hadn't? Look here. Miss Saxby,
my sister is trying TO mysufy both OF
US. | never told her about meeting you
you didnt7 Then what did you tell
herr"
when I went to the house I only ask
cd her what was the matter with you,
and then l thought-it suddenly struck
me as rather a queer sort Of thing 90
say. and I turned Il OF somehow. Now
let's understand each other. Just tell me
how you got mixed up with that gate
last night"
81 wanted to speak to Chrissie about
something. And the gate was unfas-
tened and I went in without ringing
Then. before I got 10 the house I chang
cd my mind and turned back. and while
| was bungliug with the latch it slipped
and locked me IN
But what made you turn back?'
Il thought better Of it-what 1 had
meant 10 ask her.
WAS IT anything 10 do with me?'
A silence followed Minnie looking ex-
tremely embarrassed
''Come n0R." said Charlie. 70 relieve
the awkwardness. I'VE might as well
understand each other and fool Chrisse,
mightn't WEE"
II suddenly struck Minnie In the same
way.
1T was awfully foolish OF me-" she
said Il was going 20 ask her II you had
really given that book 10 Jessie Kirke."
"Book?'
1.-THE one I gave you az Easter And
Il seemed such a foolish question that l
turned back without going into the
house"
"Of course I didn't give your book 10
Miss Kirke. Did you care so much?'
"She has one just like H. you know
didn't look inside IT,"
But you would have cared2'
After that matters moved fast.
But. although Chrissie did not find out
the truth about that meeting at the gate
until Minnie chose 10 ten her, months
afterward she always insisted that her
(Chrissie's) diplomacy had been crowned
with success.