The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-01-27
ALfttle Diplomacy
By EVEN HePHERsON.

'7s&
CHARLIE CANTEL preferred to walk
home from his Office that evening.
As a rule he rode home on his wheel,
and his home was in that very pleasant,
though new, house with the large gar
den separated BY a wall and handsome
iron ratings 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 sCrOllwOrk 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 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 MS moth
CT was keeping supper waiting for him.
Then be turned the key, pushed the
iron gate and was startled by a sud
den exclamation.
"Oh! It's you!"
The voice came from behind one Of
the brick pillars of the gate, and it
made Charlie jump.
Who's that?" he said, trying to make
out the shadOwy figure.
Its me-" came the manufacturing
49,
get the latch undone. 1t was open. I
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?"
yes"
why didn't they come down with
you and let you out. Or, won't you stay
to 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, and
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 you
mean? In mind, body OF estate?'
What are you talking about2
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?7
Somehow Charlie CanteI thought he
ought not 10 answer this question. So
he said: "Oh, nothing"
IF he had only known, that was about
as iu-cnOsen an answer for his purpose
as he could have made.
\ smile. That, Chrissie resolved,
would be a very effective implement
20 unlock the secret. Chrissie had sew
eral smiles, ali peculiar to herself, and
as fascinating as a little red mouth
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 keep
from Chrissie Cautel 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 next
morning. 1t was not a chance meet
! ing, but very simply and easily secured,
seeing that Chrissie knew exactly what
hour Minnie's singing lesson ended
Tuesdays and Thursdays.
1t was a smile as Of one who knows
all about il, and from whom IL is use
less to conceal anything. Poor Minnie
saw it. and Immediately collapsed,
/ blushing and saying within herself
/ lie has told her about it."
Il don't know what you'll think of
me- she said, Did he tell yOu?"
Tell me?" said Chrissie. taking note
/ Cf--the blush and intensifying her all
knowing smile. Tell me what? Hep
| Who is hep"
'-Oh 1 can hardly look you in the face,
| Chrissie.''
why, dear?"
"Because-"
| Then there was q silence. Minnie
! came very near to finding out that rer
/ friend was utterly without cIew, and
/ might be kept in the dark Just as long
as she, Minnie, chose But Chrissie
/ soon saw this danger, and said, Just 10
/ help out the knowing effect Of the
smile, Il met him Just as he came into
| the house"
Coed graciousl And he went and
/ told you everything2"
Again the deep. all-knOwing smile.
Il DIDN'T think" Minnie began.
@Oh, come now, Minnie. what harm
was there 2"
Harm said Minnie Indignantly.
Il should think not I would have
ruDg the bell. OF course, only"
'-Oniy what2" Chrissie put in, feeling
that-now she was coming close 10 lhe
secret.
only didn't see any necessity. e
: "a