Holbrook argus. (Holbrook, Ariz.) 1900-1913, 1901-06-01
A Little Diplomacy
By EVEN MCPHERSON.
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CHARLIE CANTEL preferred to walk
Il home from his Office that evening.
AS 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 wall and handsome
iron ratings from the street, good
way out on the principal residence
thoroughfare. This particular evening
in the fall h. was rather late; most OF
the homeward bound had reached their
destinations; so Charities walk in the
dusk was lonely.
His way in was through the iron
wicket with the fine scrolIwork on
either side. The gate fastened with
spring latch and opened from the out
side with a 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
er was keeping supper waiting for him.
Then he turned the key, pushed the
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 unenlightening
answer in a meek voice. II couldn't
get the latch undone. 1t was open. I
mean, it slipped"
He could not see her face, and the
statements, "It's 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. l 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
pie Saxby?"
II didn't know there was nything
the matter with her. How do you
mean? In mind, body or estateT
What are you talking about?
mean is shea she getting a little ec-
/ centric?"
Matter of opinion" said Chrissie in
her brisk way, pulling her brother
along with her into the diniDg-room
! Some say she always has been good
deal eccentric. What's she been doing
How?"
/ Somehow Charlie Gantel thought he
ought not to answer this question. So
/ he said: "Oh, nothing"
] If he had only known. that was about
as ill-chosen an answer for his purpose
as he could have made.
A smile. That, Chrissie resolved,
would be very effective implement
20 unlock the secret. Chrissie had sew
eral smiles, all peculiar to herself. and
as fascinating as little red mouth
and remarkably white teeth could
make them. So she selected the par
ticular smile that should extort Il con-
fession from one of these two conspir-
ators. For people who tried TO keep
from Chrissie Cantel a secret concern
ing the happiness of her favorite broth
er were of course conspirators. And
she was sure that this secret-ab bout
Minnie Saxby, 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 mex
morning. 1t was not u chance meet
ing. but very simply and easily secured
seeing that Chrissie knew exactly what
hour Minnie's singing lesson ended
tuesdays and Thursdays.
It was a smile as of one who know,
all about il, and from whom it is use
less to conceal anything Poor Mimi,
saw it, and Immediately collapsed
blushing and saying within herself
He has told her about it."
Il don't know what you'll think o.
me- she said, did he tell you?"
Tell me?" said Chrissie, taking note
Of the blush and intensifying her all
knowing smile. Tell me what? lie
Who is hep
''Oh can hardly look you in the face
Christie"
Why, dear?"
Because"
Then there was a silence. Mimi,
: came very near to finding out that re
3 friend was utterly without clew, an,
might be kept in the dark just as Ion:
as she, Minnie, chose. But Chrissi
soon saw this danger, and said, just Il
help out the knowing effect of tn,
smile. 81 met him just as he came int,
: The house"
Coed gracious! And he went ant
told you everything?"
Again the deep, all-knowing smile.
: Il didn't think" Minnie began
l "Oh, come now, Minnie, what harm
. was there?''
= Harm" said Minnie Indignantly
, 4 should think not. 1 would hav
rung the bell, of course, only"
Only what?" Chrigsie put in. feeling
that now she was coming close to II
2 secret.
E Only didn't see any nea- ssity.
2 had thought you expected me to"
n II.