Evening journal., 1899-03-15
A Little Diplomacy
BY EVEN MCPHERSON.

As rule ne RODE nome on his wheel,
and his home was in that very pleasant.
though new. house with the large gar
den separated by wall and handsome
iron railings 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
spring latch and opened from the out
side with a latch key, like a street
door. When he had gone up the brick
path be 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 a sud
den exclamation.
"Ohl 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 10 make
out the shadowy figure.
ats me-" came the unenlightening
answer in a meek voice. II couldn't
get the latch undone. 1t was open.
mean, it 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
speaking.
Miss Saxby?"
"Yes."
why didn't they come down with
you and let you out. Or, won't you stay
10 supper?"
"They don't know. 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?"
~ didn't know there was anything
the matter with her. How do you
mean? In mind, body or estateT"
What are you talking about2
mean is she-is she getting 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
70 unlock the secret. Chrissie had sew
eral smiles, all peculiar to herself, and
as fascinating as little red mouth
and remarkably white teeth could
make them. So she selected the par.
ticular smile that should extort con-
fession from one of these two conspir.
utors. For people who tried TO keer
from Chrissie Cantel a secret concern.
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
Minnie Saxby bright and carly mex
morning. II was not a chance meet
ing, but very simply and easily secured
seeing that Chrissie knew exactly whai
hour Minnie's singing lesson endeC
Tuesdays and Thursdays
1t was smile as OF one who knows
all about il, and from whom it is use
less to conceal anything. Poor Aknni'
saw 1t, and Immediately collapsed
blushing and saying within herself
"He has told her about it,"
81 don't know what you'll think o.
me-" she said. Ibid he tell YOUR
Tell me?" said Chrissie. taking not
of the blush and intensifying her all
knowing smile. ''Tell me what? lie
Who is hep"
"Oh can hardly look'you in the face
Chrissie."
why, dear?"
because"
Then there was a silence. Mimi
came very near to finding out that he
friend was utterly without a clew, an
might be kept in the dark just as louI
as she. Minnie, chose. But Chrissi
soon saw this danger, and said. just Il
help out the knowing effect of III
smile, Il met him just as he came int
the house."
Good graeiousl And he went an
told you eyerything?"
Again the deep, all-knowing smile.
81 didn't think" Minnie began.
"Oh. come now, Minnie, what harr
was there?"
Harm said Minnie indignantly
II should think not. | would hav
rung the bell. of course, only"
"Only what?" Chrissie put in. feelin
that now she was coming close to th
secret.