Evening journal., 1899-01-31


calling, "Chrissie, come back just a
minute"
What is il now" said Chrissie. with /
that deep smile more IN evidence than |
ever.
Wont you tell me?" said Minnie.
did he? don't want him TO know
that / cared"
"Oh. but he does know"
Minnie flushed scarlet.
You might have spared yourself the
trouble of trying to keep IL from him.
ny dear" Chrissie went on. laughing
outright.
Then tell me at once. Oh. don't
care-I didn't. Therei" and Miss Sax
by cut the Interview short.
Charlie Cantels sister really had very
little information 10 SO upon. II you
look at It from the detective point OF
view; but from the point OF view of
a quick-witted girl. who was also an
inquisitiye sister. she had abundant ma
terial for further research.
Il saw Minnie Saxby. to-day" she
said to her brother that evening.
iAOW lo blN eAl4 1AhlAlCs
"Oh, very well; only rather-rather
anxious"
What is she anxious about?" said
Charlie. himself still wondering why
Miss Saxby had acted so strangely
about the simple matter OF opening
garden gate.
Well" said Chrissie. with an air of
extreme discretion. II think-of
couTse. it's only an opinion--I think
she's anxious about you"
About me?"
Chrissie only nodded wisely.
Ibid she tell you about my meeting
her?" Charlie went on. beginning TO
feel iiattered, at the anxiety about him
OF young lady whom he had long adj
mired at a distance and regarded as
somewhat unapproachable by nature.
My dear Charlie" said his sister.
you don't expect girl 10 tell every
thing, do you-eyen 10 an intimate
friend?"
Charlie was more puzzled than ever.
But once more he baiiied his willy sister
by simply holding his tongue when he
had nothing TO say.
Chrissie had her way Of getting at a
mystery, and her brother had bis. His
was less subtle. but he was just as per-
severing as his sister, and the thought
that Minnie SaNby was anxious about
him spurred him TO exert himself to
find out why She should be anxious.
That was why be sat for over an hour
in Miss Saxbys parlor that evening
waiting for third person 10 take him
self out OF the way. Curiously enough.
Miss Saxby seemed 10 use all her arts
chiefly musical-to induce the third
person 10 prolong his visit.
But at last this third person did go
and Minnie began to be noticeably 81
AT ease in the presence Of her remaining
visitor.
Il was waiting for him to 60" sait
Charlie
Minnie smiled forced. nervous
smile.
Il wanted TO ask you something
Chrissie says you are anxious"
Az this Miss Saxby suddenly looked
more than anxious-she looked fright
ened.
what did she tell you?"
"She said she met you. and"
"And you had told her an about meet
ing me, and l-oh Mr.. Cantel. In
afraid you'll think me a very silly girl
but didn't want her TO know abou
that"
why not? You had just come out o
the house, and couldn't open the gate
What about it?"
"But l hadn't been 10 the house.
=, told you So"
You hadn't? Look here. Miss Sax
by. my sister is trying TO mystify boil
: of us. never told her about meeting
4 you"
"You didn't? Then what did you tel
her?"
"When 1 went into the house onl.
a asked her what was the matter wit
you. and then l thought-it suddenl.
? struck me as rather queer sort o
thing to say, and / turned it of some
how. Now. let's understand each other
Just tell me how you got mixed u
q with that gate last night"
II wanted TO speak 10 Chrissie abou
. something. And the gate was unfa.
tened and l went in without ringing
, Then. before / got to the house
changed my mind and turned back. an
while was bungling with the latch
slipped and locked me in"
. but what made you turn backT
r II thought better of it-what ! ha
Il meant to ask her."
q WAS IL anything 10 do with meY
e A silence followed. Minnie lookin
O extremely embarrassed.
e Come. now" said Charlie. 10 relie'
O the awkwardness. I'VE might as we
understand each other and fool Chri
d sic. mightn't wew
Itsuddenly struck Minnie in the san
way.
1T was awfully foolish Of me-" ST
m said. - was going 10 ask her if SO
had really given that book to jess
=. Kirke."
re Book? ?"
THE one gave you at Easter. Ar
.o. Z. .,..,,cI -.,oh a Fonifeh ruaaffon hI