The Southern herald., 1899-02-24
ALitde Diplomacy
81 EVEN MCPHERSON.
.sasEaalasla -

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 serollwork on
either side. The gate fastened with a
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,
AZ he put ms 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.
"0h! It's you!"
The voice came from behind one ot
the brick pillars Of the gate. and il
made Charlie jump.
"Who's that?" he said, trying TO make
out the Shadowy figure.
ITS me-" came the unenlightening
answer in a meek voice. II couldn't
get the latch undone. II was open.
mean, it slipped"
He could not see her face, and the
statements. "It's you and it's me" told
him nothing, Of themselves; but be
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, anc
the first words he said TO her were
"Chrissie, what is the matter with Min.
ME Saxby|
IL didn't know there was anything
the matter with her How do yor
mean? In mind. body or estateT"
What are you talking about?
mean is she-is she getting a 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"
II he had only known, that was a bout
as ill-cbosen an answer for his purpose
as he could have made.
A smile. That, Chrissie resolved
would be a very effective implement
TO unlock the secret. Chrissie had sew
eral smiles, all peculiar to herself, and
as fascinating as little red moutt
and remarkably white teeth could
make them. So she selected the par
ticular smile that should extort a con.
fession from one Of these two conspir
ators. For people who tried to keeT
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 early mex
morning. IL was not chance meet
ing, but very simply and easily secured
seeing that Chrissie knew exactly what
hour Minnie's singing lesson ended
Tuesdays and Thursdays
II was a smile as OF one who know.
all about il, and from whom it is use.
less to conceal anything. Poor AHnnie
saw it, and Immediately collapsed
blushing and saying within herself
'He has told her about it"
81 don't know what you'll think OIL
me-" she said, "Did he tell yGu?"
"Tell me2" said Chrissic. taking note
Of the blush and intensifying her all.
knowing smile TELL me what? lie:
Who is he?"
"Oh can hardly look'you in the face
Chrissie."
"Why, dear?"
Because"
Then there was a silence. Minnie
came very near TO finding out that hel
friend was utterly without clew. and
might be kept in the dark just as long
as she, Minnie, chose. But Chrissie
soon saw this danger, and said, just to
help cut the knowing effect of the
smile, II met him just as be came into
the house."
"Good gracious! And he went and
told you everything?"
Again the deep. all-knowing smile.
81 didn't think" Minnie began.
"Oh, come now, Minnie. what harm
was there?"
'Harm?" said Minnie Indignantly.
Il should think not. would have
rung the bell, Of course. only"
"Only what?" Chrissie put in, feeling
that now she was coming close TO The
secret. - ~
"0nly didn't see any necessity. II
had thought you expected me to-"
Here the cunning investigator felt II
wise TO turn her head aside, knowing
that the powerful smile must momen-
tarily be giving way TO an expression
Of blank bewilderment What on earth
could the girl mean by IF had thought
you expected me top Where did she,
Chrissie, come IN III The thrilling love
mystery?
II didn't expect you. 70 dear, she
thought II safe to cay. And then. not