Holbrook argus. (Holbrook, Ariz.) 1900-1913, 1901-06-01

hands, and ran after the other girl
calling, "Chrissie, come back just
minute"
What is it now said Chyissie. with
that deep smile more in evidence than
ever.
Won't you tell me?' said Minnie
Did he? l don't want him to know
that l cared"
oh. but he does know"
Minnie flushed scarlet.
You might have spared yourself the
trouble of trying to keep it from him.
my dea-," Chrissie went on, laughing
outright.
Then tell me At once. Oh, l don't
eare-I didn't. Therei" and Miss Sax
by cut the interview short.
Charlie Cartel's sister really had very
little information to go upon. if you
look ut it from the detective point Of
view; but from the point OF view of
a quick-witted girl. who was also an
inquisitive sister, she had abundant ma
terial for further research.
Il saw Minnie Saxby, to-day" she
aaid to her brother that evening.
HON Is she Sdlu (ndIle.
"Oh, very well; only rather-rather
anxious"
What is she anxious about?" said
Charlie, himself still wondering why
Miss Saxby had acted so strangely
about the simple matter of opening u
garden gate.
Well" said Chrissie. with an air of
Il I'll ~
course. it's only an opinion-I think
she's anxious about you"
About me?"
Chrissie only nodded wisely.
Did she tell you about my meeting
he:'?" Charlie went on, beginning TO
feel fattered, at the anxiety about him
of young lady whom he had long ad
| mired at a distance and regarded as
somewhat unapproachable by nature.
My dear Charlie said his sister,
you don't expect girl to tell every
thing, do you--eyen to an intimate
friend?"
Charlie WAS more puzzled than ever.
| But once more he baffied his willy sister
hy simply holding his tongue when he
had nothing to say.
Chrissie had her way of getting at
mystery, and her brother had his. His
was less subtle. but he was just as per-
severing as his sister. and the thought
that Minnie SaXby was anxious about
linn spurred him to exert himself TO
find out why she should be anxious
That was why he sat for over an hour
IN Miss Saxby's parlor that evening
waiting for third person to take him
self out OF the way. Curiously enough.
Miss SaXby seemed TO use all her arts
chiefly musical-to induce the third
person 10 prolong his visit.
But at last this third person did go,
and Minnie began to be noticeably i'll
al ease i'll the presence of her remaining
visitor.
II was waiting for him to CO." said
Charlie.
Minnie smiled a forced, nervous
smile
II wanted 10 ask you something.
Chrissie says you are anxious"
At this Miss Saxby suddenly looked
more than anxious-she looked fright
ensd.
What did she tell you?"
She said she met you. and"
And you had told her all about meet
ing me, and I-oh, Mr.. Cantel, I'm
afraid you'll think me q very silly girl.
but l didn't want her to know about
that
Why not? You had just come out of
the house, and couldn't open the gate.
What about it ?"
But hadn't been to the house. |
told you So"
You hadn't? Look here. Miss Sax
by. my sister is trying to mystify both
OF us. l never told her about meeting
you
You didn't? Then what did you tell
her."
When 1 went into the house l only
asked her what was the matter with
you, and then | thought-i1 suddenly
struck me as rather u queer sort OF
thing to say, and | turned it off some
how. Now, let's understand each other
Just tell me how you got mixed up
with that gate last night"
Il wanted to speak to Chrissie abou,
something. And the gate was unfas.
tened and l went in without ringing
Then, before 1 got to the house
changed my mind and turned back, and
while l was bungling with the latch il
slipped and locked me in
But what made you turn back?"
81 thought better of it-what l had
meant to ask her
Was it anything TO do with me?"
A silence followed. Minnie looking
extremely embarrassed.
Come. now" said Charlie, to reliev,
the awkwardness, I'VE might as wei
understand each other and fool Chris
sic. mightn't we?"
1t suddenly struck Minnie in the sanl'
way.
at was awfully foolish Of me-" sh,
said. Il was going to ask her if yol
had really given that book to Jessi,
. Kirke."
Book? 2"
THE one I gave you at Easter. Ant
il seemed such foolish question tha
1 turned back without going into tn
house"
''Of course, didn't give your book II
. Miss Kirke Did Won care so much -