Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-04-20

was always at the houses I went to- at
the -Carters, and-and everv
where"
You will be kind to him, won't
you, Maud? Wouldn't it be delightful
If we We're both married on the same
day." said Phyllis.
"Oh, there is plenty of time for
that; besides he may not care about
me now, though"
How annoying you are, Exclaimed
Phyllis. 'Just when everything was
settled. Look here, Maud, write him
nice little note and ask him to lunch
or tea or something-your mother
won't mind-or say you'll be at home
on Sunday, and then-then you can
arrange things, you know. That will
be the best way, for it is silly to pro-
tend you aren't in love with him. y
Shall l really write?" said Maud,
with show of hesitation.
Certainly; here are the paper and
pen and everything. Write it here,
and I'll send Jane to the post with it
at once"
Maud succumbed to her friends de-
termination and wrote carefully
worded note to Mr.. Stratton, in which
she gently reproached him for not
having been to see her mother and
herself lately, and she said how glad
they would be if he came to lunch on
the following Sunday.
Phyllis was satisfied with it, and
rang the bell for the maid. "Now.
darling, everything will come right, "
she said. How happy he'll bel
may call him George, too, mayn't r."
Maud blushed and said she supposed
she might, and just then the servant
came in.
"Take this to the p st at once,
please, Jane" said Phyllis.
Eyes, miss, and this letter has just
come for you, answered the maid.
Phyllis took the letter and the girl
left the room with Maud's note.
''Whom is your letter from? I seem
to know the writing" said Maud.
"Only from Ethel Jervis- Carter;
she does write to me sometimes about
nothing in particular, answered Phyl-
lis. Shehad not read many lines of
the letter before she gave little cry
of dismay.
Whats the matter?" asked Maud,
seeing her emotion.
Nothing, stammered Phyllis. ''At
least, nothing interesting, and 1 don't
believe it's true
Don't be silly, Phyllis; tell me
what it is. -
"There; read itr' said Phyllis, and
Maud read:
''You will be glad to hear of my en-
gagement to George Stratton; you and
Maud know him, so you will under
stand how happy L am. We hope to
be married soon" Maud read no
more; she was very pale.
''Thanks," she said, giving the paper
back; sits very interesting.
'I'm so horribly sorry" began
Phyllis.
For having made fool of me? You
ought to be, said her friend stonily.
81 never MEANT said Phyllis.
''You made me write that wretched
note; L never shall forgive -you" " said
Maud, drawing on her gloves and ris-
ing from her chair with the air of
casting the dust of her friends house
from her feet.
''It was a mere suggestion, Phyllis
pleaded.
at was extremely bad taste
"But you agreed with me-
"No; it was entirely your doing" "
answered Maud. However, of course,
it does not really affect me at all. -
"Of course not" said Phyllis.
Maud swept out of the room, went
home and wrote second note to Mr..
Stratton to congratulate him on the
delightful news she had just heard,
and would he bring Ethel with him to
lunch on Sunday?
Phyllis remorsefully resolved that
she would never again try to provide
consolation for desolate friends.