Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-09-27

beautifully "coiffe
For my part | felt a little uncom-
Portable, but Miss Phyllis was not In
the Slightest most generous and for
giving person in the man there, and
he glared at me a little. but | treated
him with deserving contempt. After
about ten minutes of desultory chat
ter he took himself Off
Miss Phyllis watched the door close
behind him, and then, suddenly turn
ing to me. she stretcher out her hand
and said:
My dear Gerald, how can ! thank
your
l confess that l was considerably
taken back.
Il think. continued Phyllis, without
noticing my surprise, that you are
the most generous and forgiving per
son in the world"
Il was afraid" said l. chat 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 it
on"
did see. and to my horror real
lied for the first time that the glisten
ing object which l had been admiring
so much in Phyllis chiffon was the
brooch | had ordered for Laura.
That" l gasped lis little memen-
to of our-of my engagement"
Yes" said Phyllis, smiling, II con-
slider myself really engaged now"
You don't mean to say" l stam-
mered, that you"
"Oh, but l do" she interrupted.
Really, really do" And her eyes
sparkled.
There is a mistake somewhere" l
explained, confusedly. THAT is,
you'll mean l am engaged"
Naturally" said Miss Phyllis, rails
ing her eyebrows. I'VE are both en-
gaged-isn't it Splendid"
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
infinite amusement She curled her.
self up more tightly in her chair and
fairly quiyered with suppressed merri-
ment.
Don't you unde, stand?" l explained.
Il am engaged 70 Miss Ainesly-Laura
Amnesty, and-of course, I'm awfully
sorry, but that was sent you by mis-
take"
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 if you did
think l. was going to accept you.
promise not to marry you. Can't you
see? You went into Somerton's and
ordered this brooch and told them to
send ii 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 order in ages past they naturally
concluded that this was for me, too,
| and sent 1t on by a messenger with
your card. | knew it was a mistake.
so l sent my maid down to inquire.
1t was not difficult to guess the truth. "
Obi" said lamely.
There, here you are, you silly boy
she said, holding out the brooch.
Run away to Laura with it, and for.
give me for playing a practical joke
on you, but you did look such pic.
| ture of dismay!"
Wont you keep it, please?" said I
humbly. Il ought to pay penalty for
my stupidity
Its awfully good of you, Gerald.
and it's very pretty, but l don't know
that l ought to. I've been enga .
since Wednesday, you see, to C4ptai-
Mahon."
"The very thing" cried, turning
to the inscription on the back. Il was
engaged on Wednesday, too; see, here 3
the date.
Phyllis looked.
1T does seem to fit in nicely" She
said MAY l really keep it?"
please do. said I, "and If he says
anything tell him it was a premature
Christmas offering"
| am glad the mistake happened
after all, for | am very fond Of Phyllis.
And-well. Captain Mahon, or what
ever his name is is a very lucky man.
De Reszkes In Coon" Songs.