The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-01-27

Christie, come in in the thrilling love
mystery
Il didn't expect you, to dear she
thought It safe to say. And then, not
feeling II safe to carry on the inEesti-
CATION any further in that direction
ust then, she kissed her friend and
went her way.
And poor Minnie stood still for a
moment, irresOlute. The next moment
she seemed to take her courage in both
hands, and ran after the other girl,
calling, -Chrissie, come back just
minute"
What Is it now said Chrissie, with
that deep smile more in evidence than
ever.
Wont you tell me7' said Minnie.
did hep I don't want him to know
that I cared"
sOh, but he does know"
Minnie flushed scarlet.
you might have spared yourself the
trouble Of trying to keep it from him,
my dear" Chrissie went on, laughing
outright
Then tell me at once. Oh, I don't
care-I didn't There!" and Miss Sax
by cut the interview short.
Charlie Cantei's sister really had very
little information to 60 upon, if you
look at II from the detective point of
view; but from the point Of view Of
a quicIl-witted girl, who was also an
inqUisitive sister, she had abundant ma
terial for further research
Il saw Minnie Saxby, to-day" she
said to her brother that evening.
How is she2- said Charlie
"Oh, very well; only rather-ratheF
anxious"
What is she anxious abOut?" said
Charlie, himself still wondering why
Miss Saxby had acted so strangely
about the simple matter of opening
garden gate.
well" said -Chrissie, with an air of
extreme discretion. Il think-Of
course, it's only an opinion think
she's anxious about you"
About me?"
Chrissie only nodded wisely.
Ibid she tell you about my meeting
herr" Charlie went on, beginning to
feel fattered, at the anxiety about him
of a young lady whom he had long ad-
mired at a distance and regarded as
somewhat unapprOachable by nature.
my dear Charlie" said his sister,
you don't expect a girl to tell every
thing, do yOu-eyen to an intimate
friend?"
Charlie was more puzzled than ever.
But once more he bafied his willy sister
by simply holding his tongue when he
had nothing to say.
mystery, and her brother had his. His
was less subtle, but he was just as per
severing as his sister, and the thought
that Minnie Saxby was anxious about
him spurred him TO exert himself TO
find out why she should be anxious.
That was why he sat for over an hour
in Miss SaNby's parlOr that evening
waiting for third person to take him
self out of the way. Curiously enough,
Miss Saxby seemed to use all her arts
chiefly musicale induce the third
person to prOlOng his visit.
But at last this third person did 60,
and Minnie began to be nOticeabIy i'll
at ease in the presence Of her remaining
visitor.
q was waiting for him to 60" said
Charlie.
Minnie smiled a forced, nervous
smile.
81 wanted to ask you something.
Chrissie says you are anxious"
At this Miss Saxby suddenly looked
more than anXious-she looked fright
ened.
what did she tell your
''She said she met you, and"
''And you had told her all about meet
ing me, and oh, Mr.. CanteI, I'm
afraid you'll think me a very silly girl,
but I didn't want her 10 know about
that
Why not? You had just come out Of
the house, and couldn't open the gate.
What about it?"
But hadn't been to the house. I
told you So"
You hadn't? Look here. Miss Sax
by, my sister is trying to mystify both
of Us. 7 never told her about meeting
you"
you didn't? Then what did you tell
her2"
When 1 went into the house I only
/ asked her what was the matter with
you, and then 1 thought-it suddenly
struck me as rather a queer sort Of
! thing to say, and / turned it of some
/ how. Now, let's understand each other.
Just tell me how you got mixed up
with that gate last night"
Il wanted 10 speak 10 Chrissie about
something. And the gate was unfas-
tened and 1 went in without ringing.
/ Then, before 1 got TO the house 1
changed my mind and turned back, and
while I was bungling with the latch it
/ slipped and locked me in
But what made you turn back"
Il thought better OF it-what I had
meant 10 ask her.
WAS IL anything to DO with me?"
A silence followed. Minnie looking
| extremely embarrassed.
Come, now" said Charlie, 10 relieve
the awkwardness, I'VE might as well
understand each other and fool Chris
sic. migbtn't we?"
It suddenly struck Minnie in the same
way.
1T was awfully foolish Of me-" she
said. Il was going to ask her if you
had really given that book TO Jessie
/ KirL-a