Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1899-03-03
A Little Diplomacy
BY EVEN MCPHERSON.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
CHARLIEc ANTEL preferred TO walk

| "a.
and his home was in that very pleasant.
though new, house with the large gar
den separated by wall and handsome
iron ratings from the street, 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 scrollwork on
either side. The gate fastened with a
spring latch and opened from the out
side with latch key. like street
door. When he had gone up the brick
path he would find the door of the house
itself unlocked. That was the custom
OF the family.
As he put his latch key into the |
wicket he wondered whether his moth
or was keeping supper waiting for him.
Then he turned the key, pushed the
iron gate and was startled by sud
den exclamation.
"Oh! It's you'll"
The voice came from behind one OF
The brick pillars of the gate, and il
made Charlie jump.
"Whos that?" he said trying to make
out the shadowy figure.
'Tt's me-" came the unenlightening
answer in a meek voice. II couldn't
get the latch undone. 1t was open.
mean, IT slipped"
He could not see her face, and the
statements. ITS you and it's me" told
him nothing, of themselves; but he
recognized the voice at the second
speaking.
miss Saxby?'
Eyes"
"Why didn't they come down with
you and let you out. Or, won't you stay
to SUPPER"
They don't know. i haven't been in
the house. Please let me out"
Charlie entered the house just as the
family were collecting for supper Inc
first person he met was his sister. ant
the first words he said TO her were
"Chrissie, what is the matter with Min
ME Saxby?'
~ didn't know there was anything
the matter with her. How do yol
mean? In mind, body or estate""
What are you talking about?
mean is she--is she getting little &c
centric?"
"Matter OF opinion" said Chrissie i
her brisk way, pulling her brothe
along with her into the dining-roon
some say she always has been goo
deal eccentric. What's she been dom
now?"
Somehow Charlie Cantel thought i
ought not to answer this question.
he said: "0b, nothing"
II he had only known, that was apo'
as ill.chosen an answer for his purpo
as he could have made.
A smile. That, Chrissie resolve
would be very effective impleme
10 unlock the secret. Chrissie had Sc
eral smiles, all peculiar to herself a.
as fascinating as a little red mou
and remarkably white teeth COT
make them. So she selected the p
ticular smile that should extort et
fession from one of these two consp
ators. For people who tried to Ike
from Chrissie Cantel n secret conce
ing the happiness of her favori'e oro
or we're of course consp'rators' a
sbc was sure that this secret-ab'
Minnie Saxby. girl with whom
vouth would naturally fall in lov
must certainly concern Charles b
piness.
Minnie Saxby bright and carly n
morning. II was not a chance IN
ing. but very simply and easily secu'
seeing that Chrissie knew exactly W
hour Minuie's singing lesson en-
Tuesdays and Thursdays
II was smile as Of one who KIN
nil about IL, and from whom 1t IS
1ess IN conceal anything. Poor MAJ
saw II. and Immediately collap
blushing and saying within her
"He has told her about it.
81 don't know what you'll thin
,rs she said, "Did he tell YOU
"Tell me?" said Chrisse' taxing
~ the blush and intensifying her
knowing smile. "Ieil me WHAT
Who is he?"
..Ob can hardly look'you in the
Christie
"Why. dear?
because -,
Then there was a silence. NJ
,,,,e very near to finding out tina
friend wars utterly without a c'e"
might be kept in the dark just as
ne she. Minnie chose. bu, IN
non saw this danger, and said. j
hin ont the knowing effect o
s,;Io az met him just as he cam
the house" ,o ,,or
told YOU everything"
Again the deep, all-knowing sh
81 didn't think Minnie bega
"Oh. come now, Minnie, wha'
was there2 ,.a;or
n1 should think not. wou'o
rrng The bell, of course, only
30 n6r,v what?" Chrissie put in, I
that now she was coming e'oSe
secret.
nOnly didn't see any necessI
had thought you expecae .ir ~. .,
Here the cunning investigator
= ..,;so IN turn her head aside' NJ
That the powerful smile mus. .. II
tnrily be giving way TO , an exp ?,
Of blank bewilderment, VIVA !,
could the girl mean py "a, n
YOU eIe come in in the thrilll
mystery? 80, IN dea
,.sh4 u safe to say. AND 70