Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1899-11-10

ucsefNcu contempt. Atter hDOut Ten
minutes OF desultory chatter he took
himself on
Miss Phyllis watched the door close
behind him. and then. suddenly turn
Ing to me- she stretched out her hand
and said:
My dear Gerald, how can thank
your"
! confess that ! was considerably
taken alack.
Il think" continued Phyllis. without
noticing my surprise. that you are
the most generous aud forglvlng per
sou Ia the world"
II was afraid" said 1. that you
were offended with inc. but you are
not. are you. since you've asked me to
conner
"Oncndcd"' said Miss Phyllis. My
dear Gerald. whatever made you think
thatp You're "a dear See. I've got II
on"
lid see. and y my horror | realized
Tor the first time that the glistening
object which had been admiring 50
much In Phyllis chiffon was the brooch
had ordered for Laura.
That" ! gasprd. rs a little me
mento Of our-of my engagement"
Yes" said Phyllis, smiling. Il con
slider myself really engaged now"
You don't mean to say" stammer-
ed that you
"Oh. but do she interrupted.
REALLY. really ! do" And her eyes
sparklcd.
There Is n mistake somewhere" l
explained confuscdl.. "l-that Is, you
1 mean | am engaged"
Naturally" said Miss Phyllis. rails
ing her eyebrows. I'VE are both en-
gagcd-isn't II splendidT'
But" ! managed to calculate at
last. with more force than politcness.
I'm engaged TO some one else, not 10
you"
This speech. blunt and plain enough
In Its way. seemed To afford Phyllis In
finite amusement She curled herself
W more tightly In her chair and fairIy
quIvered with suppressed merriment.
Don't you UNDERESTIMATE explain
cd. II am engaged to Miss Amnesty
Laura Amnesty. and-of course. I'm aw-
fully sorry. but that was sent you by
mistake"
Phyllis managed TO subdue her
laughter.
My dear Gerald. please don't look
Ike that" she said. wiplng the tears
from her eyes with an absurd little
f..f n 4
look so woehegone. even II you did
think was going TO accept you. !
promise not to marry you. Can't you
see; You went into Somerton's and or
dered this brooch and told them to
send IL direct 10 the lady's house.
1T never seemed TO have occurred to
you to mention her name. and as they
had made something for me AT your or
der Ia ages past they naturally con-
Cluded that this was for me. too, and
sent II on by messenger with your
/ card. | knew II was mistake, so !
sent my maid down 10 inquire. Ii was
not difficult TO guess the truth"
"Oh" said lamely.
There. here you are. you silly boy?'
| she said, holding out the Drooch. Kun
away to Laura with IT, and forgive me
for playing n practical joke on you. but
you did look such picture OF dis
mayw
Wont you keep II, pleaseT said
humbly. Il ought 10 pay penalty for
my stupidity"
Its awfully good OF you. Gerald
and it's very pretty, but don't know
that | ought 10. I've been engaged
since Wednesday, you see, TO Captain
! Mahon"
THE very thing" cried, turning &c
the inscription on the back. Il was
engaged on Wednesday, too; see, here's
| the date"
Phyllis looked.
1T does seem to iii IL nicely" she
said. MAY really keep itr'
please do" said |, and II he says
anything tell him II was a prematur,
/ Christmas Offering"
am glad the mistake happened aft
er all. for am very fond OF Phyllis
And-well. Captain Mahon, or what
ever his name is, is very lucky man
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