Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-02-24

at me a little, but | treated him with
deserved contempt. After about ten
minutes of desultory chatter he took
himself off.
Miss Phyllis watched the door close
behind him, and then, suddenly turn
ing to me, she stretched out her hand
and said:
MY dear Gerald, how can ! thank
your"
l confess that l was considerably
taken aback.
II think" continued Phyllis, without
noticing my surprise, that you are
the most generous and forgiving per-
son In the world"
~ was afraid" said |, that you
were offended with me, but you are
not, are you, since you've asked me to
Gomez"
offended" said Miss Phyllis. MY
dear Gerald, whatever made you think
that? You're a dear. See, I've got 1t
on"
l did see, and to my horror l realized
for the first time that the glistening
object which l had been admiring so
much in Phyllis chiffon was the brooch
l had ordered for Laura.
THAT" l gasped, sis a little me-
mento of our-of my engagement"
"Yes," said Phyllis, smiling. II con.
slider myself really engaged now"
you don't mean to say" l stammer-
ed, that your
"Oh, but l dol" she interrupted.
Really, really do" And her eyes
sparkled.
There is a mistake somewhere" l
explained c~onfusedly. 'l-that is, you
Il mean l am engaged"
Naturally" said Miss Phyllis, rails.
ing her eyebrows. I'VE are both en-
gaged-isn't it splendidT
But" l managed to calculate at
last, with more force than politeness.
"I'm engaged to some one else, not to
you"
This speech, blunt and plain enough
In its way, seemed to afford Phyllis in
finite amusement. She curled herself
up more tightly in her chair and fairly
quivered with suppressed merriment.
Don't you understand" | explain.
ed. II am engaged to Miss Amnesty
Laura Amnesty, and-of course, Pm aw-
fully sorry, but that was sent you by
mistake"
Phyllis managed to subdue her
laughter.
MY dear Gerald, please don't look
like that" she said, wiping the tears
from her eyes with an absurd little
pocket handkerchief. you needn't
look so woebegone, even ii you did
think l was going to accept you. l
promise not to marry you. Can't you
see? You went into Somerton's and Or
dered this brooch and told them to
send it direct to the lady's house.
1T never seemed to have occurred to
you to mention her name, and as they
had made something for me at your or
der in ages past they naturally con-
cluded that this was for me, too, and
sent it on by a messenger with your
card. | knew it was a mistake, so |
sent my maid down to inquire. 1t was
not difficult to guess the truth"
"Oh!" said l lamely.
"There, here you are, you silly boyi"
she said, holding out the brooch. run
away to Laura with it, and forgive me
for playing a practical joke on you, but
you did look such a picture Of dis
may"
wont you keep 1t, pleaseY' said l
humbly. Il ought to pay a penalty for
my stupidity"
"It's awfully good of you, Gerald,
and it's very pretty, but l don't know
that l ought to. I've been engaged
since Wednesday, you see, to Captain
Mahon."
"The very thing" l cried, turning to
the inscription on the back. Il was
engaged on Wednesday, too; see, here's
the date"
Phyllis looked.
ut does seem to fit it nicely" she
said. MAY l really keep til"
please d." said l, land IL he says
anything tell him 1t was a premature
Christmas Offering"
l am glad the mistake happened aft
er all, for | am very fond Of Phyllis.
And-well, Captain Mahon, or what
ever bis name is, is a very lucky man
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