The age-herald., 1899-03-26


 rageous little fiirts, this girl is easily the most outrageousl She actually thinks she's going to draw me back with her little thread and her little bent pin! And after I've had 1t straight from Easton himself, who thought he'd pull it off, l wish him joy of her. He'll have lovely wife If they ever marry-if 1t gets as far as that-ha, ha!'
 He was closing the soliloquy with what is commonly described in print as "a bitter laugh" .
 As his luck would have it, Julius met the lady of the telephone not long after. It was by the merest chance that he was in- troduced to her. He was buying some music, for Julius sang in a choir, being rated as good baritone, and in the music store he met his organist who was lady. With the lady organist was one whom Julius recognized as the person who had carried on that memorable conversation.
 The lady organist introduced him to her as Mrs. Waller.
 q have often heard of you, MT. Canby,' said Mrs. Waller.
 Julius wondered why there should be any thing in this thought to make Mrs Waller smile and gaze al him so archly. Of course she might have heard his organist speak of him. considering that he was her best and most reliable baritone She might also have heard of him from Maud Andrews.
 Shall you be in the choir on Easter day?" said Mrs. Waller.
 q believe SOL said Julius, smiling at his lady organist
 I've couldn't get on without him." that artiste remarked. Are you only just buy ing your score for that offertory, MT. Cam by?'
 'If that is so," said Mrs Waller, "I hope MT. Canby is a quick learner. He hasn't much time left to learn his part, and have quite number of friends who are to church with Easter day.
 But not to hear me sing, hope" said Canby.
 For some of them I believe that will be the chief considera tion," said Mrs. Waller. And once more she smiled archly
 Julius thought he knew why Mrs Wailer smiled archly She was friend of Maud Andrews, and Maud was going to church with her on Easter day. For that very req son he wished he could get out of singing in the choir on that day. He had hail mind to be taken with severe prohchiai trouble
 But on the very morning-Easter morn- ing-while he was finishing a particularly early breakfast, in order not to sing too soon after meal, in blundered Easton ana his big German mastiff. The mastill han it's neck tied up with bow of blue rlbpon. Brought him round to see you Wlth HIS blue ribbon on,' said Easton Julius didn't understand why he shoulu be expected to take any interest III lhiS great brute and his blue ribbon. NeVerthe- less he made an effort to be CIVIL 10 has- ton. .sWhere did he get the ribbon?" he asked. .sGet it? Why, at the show, Of course' That's his prize ribbon" al, .Oh.', said Julius, The got prize, dld he?''
 ..Why," said Easton, staring, you were one of the first to congratulate me! q didn't know it." said Julius. "Don,t vou remember that evening you met me?
 Then light seemed to flash on Julius.
 sI didn't congratulate you on that, ne said.
 "On what. then?" said Easton.
 "Why-on-on your engagement. "Mv engagement! He, he! Ho, no! What's got you, Canby?" o,, Aren't you engaged to-Miss Andrews?. "He. her' Easton laughed in ecstacy. Il see it all! see it all! Now know what has made the breach. That's what mas made you drop Maud, is it?' Aren't you engaged to her? NO. you old dodderer! What put It into its old noddle Oh, excuse me, Cahpy. l can't stay any longer. Must take my papy home, and then go to ehurcn. | nave ,, something to tell that's too good to Keep When the Easter service was over, Julius found Mrs. Waller waiting for him at the foot of the choir stairs.
 "I want you to come home Wltn us lo d little lunch. MT. Canby,' she said. You must excuse the unceremonious way of the invitation. We made up the party two weeks ago, and Pm sorry now we left you out. You must come Maud Andrews Is In the party"
 "Very we'll" said Julius some what dazed. .'It's very good of you. By the way. may I ask if you telephoned to Miss Andrews about this one evening"?
 ''I think I did. Why? I think l wasn't quite sure whether she understood that our little party was sure thing, and l tele- phoned to ask if she held herself engaged
 'I thought so," said Julius
 Tn the course of the walk to Mrs. Walters Maud found occasion to say, Julius, you sing well, but you are awfully stupid.
 And Easton gave a loud guffaw. a aaaaae . e