The Norfolk weekly news., 1900-10-18

love for Miss Maud Brooke, and
L she had promised To be his.
II was highly injudicious. Young
Mr.. Curtis, though he had few odds
and ends OF property bcQucathcd to
him by his uncles and aunts, was real
ly dependent upon his father. He
might be cut Off at any moment with
what answers In modern high society
to the traditional shilling. 1t Is the
part Of prudence in these days not to
engage oneself to millionaire's son
until after the millionalre's will has
been admitted to probate. Probably
Miss Brooke knew this as matter OF
education, but she did not think about
II. She was deeply in love with Mr.. Il.
Cunningham Curtis, Jr., and during the
progress OF his declaration, which was
really quite eloquent and thrilling, she
never once remembered that he had a
father.
1t Is probable that young Mr.. Curtis
forgot that circumstance also, for he
was really as much in love as any one
can be without going mad. II happen
ed, however that they had considera-
ble opportunity for conversation after
the first wild outburst Of inconsiderate
emotion, and In their discussion of the
future, natural ut such time, the
plain, hard fact disclosed itself thus:
II anything happened Mt that time to
disturb the amicable relations between
Curtis senior and Curtis junior, the lat
ter's whole future would be ruined
"And you think he wouldn't like our
engagement" querled Miss Brooke.
IL wouldn't dare to risk IT," respond
ed Mr.. Curtis.
"Then perhaps would better re-
lease you from your PROMISE" she sug-
gested.
mot for the Kohinoor and seven gold
Mines" he replied, rising enthusiastic
ally to the occasion. "And, besides, 1t
isn't at all necessary. We can keep 1t
secret"
"Td like to tell mother" said the girl.
"I-I don't believe l can keep it from
her"
"I'm afraid you can't keep It. from
anybody" said he, you're such an
honest, open hearted little girl. No. no.
An engagement Is a woman's secret,
which means that it's harder the next
day to find one who doesn't know 1t
than one who does. Why, our very
manner to each other will betray us.
You'll be ut my house tomorrow even
Ing when my sister gives some kind Of
a dancing rumpus, and before you've
been there ten minutes every one will
know"
Mr.. Il. Cunningham Curtis, Jr., in
tended these remarks to be playful, but
Miss Brooke, being such an honest,
open hearted little girl, took them In
dead earnest, and she was not pleased.
She was just bit cold to him after
that, and almost her last words to him
were a promise that she would keep
the secret.
Young Mr.. Curtis sincerely hoped
that she would. He believed that his
father would make fuss about ii II he
found II out About five years before
there had been a similar disturbance
IN the family. and 1t had resulted in the
eldest sons being put on probation
which meant that he was obliged to
get along on meager allowance for q
long and dismal period. L. Cunning
ham Curtis, Jr., shuddered at the rec
Ollection Of his brothers fate.
my father" said he to himself, "wil
roar like 80 mad bulls at the idea OF
my marrying into the Brooke lawsuit
The suit In question centered about
the will Of the late Mr.. Brooke, who
had laft hiS In, 70 A..
that every golden strand picked out OF
II just sufficed to pay the lawyer whC
had done the picking.
81 must be bit careful tomorrow
evening" was Curtis conclusion. "Con
found It! Everybody In the worl(
ought to know by this time that I'm II
love with the dear little girl. But i
mustn't be suspected that we're engag
ed. A fake quarrel might be goo(
thing"
On the following evening when Mis-
Brooke appeared in the palatial halli
of the Curtises her accepted suito
viewed her almost with alarm. and tn,
next instant his heart surged up Int,
his throat, and he longed TO claim he
there before them all. His pride clam
ored for a public acknowledgment o
hts victory. Never had her beaut.
seemed to him 30 far from the ordi
nary, 30 separate and distinguished
Upon my word" he muttered, Ssh
makes the rest Of these girls look lik
Coney Island tintypes."
He had the pleasure Of greeting he
Q moment later, and he could not quit
conceal his emotion. But the youn
lady herself was as cool as snow. He
manner toward him excited an obviou
interest In the people who happened I
be near enough TO observe II, and whe
she presently permitted Arthur RIPPLE
TO lead her away into convenient col
ner giances were exchanged and head
were nodded.
Ripley was young man whom IN
other fellows sometimes referred to a
professional beauty" Curtis. wh