The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-01-26
A Little Diplomacy
BY EVEN MCPHERSON.
CHARLIE CANTEL preferred to walk

luOuSu new uOuSC Win TIC ldl gar
den separated by wall and handsome
iron ratings from the street, a good
way out on the principal residence
thoroughfare. This particular evening
in the fall he was rather late; most of
the homeward bound had reached their
destinations; so Charles 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 out
side with a latch key, like a street
door. When he 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 moth
er was keeping supper waiting for him.
Then he turned the key, pushed the
iron gate and was startled by sud
den exclamation.
"Oh! It's you'll"
The voice came from behind one of
the brick pillars of the gate, and it
made Charlie jump.
who's that?" he said, trying to make
out the shadowy figure.
ITS me-" came the manufacturing
answer in a meek voice. II couldn't
get the latch undone. 1t was open. l
mean, it slipped"
He 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
speaking
Miss Saxby?"
Yes"
why didn't they come down with
you and let you out. Or, won't you stay
to supper?"
They don't know. l haven't been in
the house. Please let me out"
Charlie entered the house just as the
family were collecting for supper. The
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? In mind, body or estate?"
What are you talking about? l
mean is she-is she getting a little &C.
centric?"
Matter of opinion" said Chrissie in
her brisk way, pulling her brother
along with her into the dining-room.
Some say she always has been a good
deal eccentric. What's she been doing
now?"
Somehow Charlie Cantel thought he
ought not to answer this question. So
he said: "Oh, nothing"
If he had only known, that was about
as ill-chOsen an answer for his purpose
as he could have made.
A smile. That. Chrissie resolved,
would be a very effective implement
to unlock the secret. Chrissie had sew
eral smiles, all peculiar to herself, and
as fascinating as a little red mouth
and remarkably white teeth could
make them. So she selected the par
ticular smile that should extort a con-
fession from one of these two conspir-
ators. For people who tried to keep
ing the happiness of her favorite broth
er were of course conspirators. And
she was sure that this secret-about
Minnie SaXby, a girl with whom any
youth would naturally fall in love-
must certainly concern Charles hap
piness
With that selected smile Chrissie met
ATinnin So~hy brirrh+ orlxr
morning. 1t was not a chance meet
ing, but very simply and easily secured,
seeing that Christie knew exactly what
hour Minnie's singing lesson ended
Tuesdays and Thursdays.
1t was a smile as of one who knows
all about it, and from whom it is use
less to conceal anything. Poor ANnnie
saw it, and Immediately collapsed,
blushing and saying within herself,
''He has told her about it..
81 don't know what you'll think of
me-" she said, Did he tell you?"
Tell me?" said Chrissie, taking note
of the blush and intensitying her all
knowing smile. Tell me what? lie?
Who is hep"
"Oh l can hardly look'you in the face,
Christie"
why, dear?"
because"
Then there was silence. Minnie
came very near to finding out that her
friend was utterly without clew, and
might be kept in the dark just as long
as she, Minnie, chose. But Chrissie
soon saw this danger, and said, just to
help out the knowing effect of the
smile, 81 met him just as he came into
the house"
Good gracious. And he went and
told you everythiDg?"
Again the deep, all-knowing smile.
81 didn't think" Minnie began.
"Oh, come now. MiGEie. what harm
was there?"
"Harm?" said Minnie Indignantly.
81 should think not. | would have
rung the bell, of course, oDly-"
Only what?" Chrissie put in, feeling
that now she was coming close to The
secret.
only l didn't see any necessity. If
] had thought YOU eyDected me to-"