The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1901-01-31

lnlS ISL q CdSc'
tons on my engagement! Now, shall
go or shall not? This hardly reads
like Chris. It's too gushing. She is
more reserved. Perhaps her own en-
gagement has changed her. I've heard
Of such things. I'll go.
swish l knew the man she is engaged
to. Wouldn't I meet him cordially!
I'd grip his hand until it would be USE
less for month"
Worth Brice set his hat savagely on
his head, tore a small note into dozen
pieces, threw them into an open CRATE
and went out, locking his door with
such force that the key'w bent.
Ten minutes later Christabel Love
was extending her hand to him in
rather a constrained manner. There
was an additional warmth in Worth's
greetings because he had determined
to carry the matter off without finch
ing.
"1've answered your congratulations
in person. Chris,' he began. in iovial
way, sinking into his favorite arm
chair. "Your note broke in upon the
most doleful reverie confirmed old
bachelor ever INDUCED in"
''There l sat-" Worth went on. my
elbows on my knees and my head in my
hands, groaning over the prospect of
dull evenings soon to come, when you
would be so deeply engaged in dress
making and letter writing and what
not. that you wouldn't have time to see
q fellow"
hrn - II 1nk& ~
Chris. interrupted, in wondering tone.
Her eyes had become large and round
and pucker appeared between her
brows.
Worth laughed rather loudly. and
slapped his knee. thing Chris had
never seen him do before.
sid just given up lamenting alone
and decided to come and condole with
myself in your presence when your
/ note came"
Worth INDUCED in another mirth-
less laugh. Chris leaned forward and
looked at him intently. The pucker
had extended half way up her fore
head,
Snow. Chris. it's bad enough for you
to go and get engaged, without putting
up such a big bluff on me in that way
'Putting-up = bluff?" puzzled
Chris, but the pucker began to smooth
itself out. $50 far you are an enigma
to me-"
Worth sighed.
swell. Chris. I suppose the Christian
way to do would be to offer you botl
hands and wish you all the happiness
you'll be sure not only to get, but tc
give. that lucky fellow whoever he is
Worth's voice was periously near be
ing shaky.
Happiness I'll get and give" Chri.
was still following helplessly
"When we meet" Worth went on, il
his gayest tone. trifie forced. ''don'
be surprised if give him the fiat of m,
. hand for depriving me of my bes
chum."
Chris leaned back and spoke reso
lutely.
"Worth, if you will be kind enough t,
explain yourself. I'll he convinced, per
haps, of your sanity. Whom are yol
talking about. or don't you know your
self?"
Worth became suddenly sober, a
sober as he really felt.
"No, Chris don't know whom Tn
discussing-that's the trouble-but it,
that mysterious some one that your
engaged to-"
81 engaged? That's news to me
, Worth, your own engagement has al
/, fected your head as we'll as you
, heart
But Worth did not wait for her +
finish. He broke in eagerly, bringing
himself forward in his chair with al
impetuous jerk.
D Say, now, aren't you, really. homo
r bright? I'm not, of course. How'd yo
/, hear? It's all fake with me"
"A fake with you? Why, it cam
straight from Miss Maltby, this morn
ing, She said she knew it,"
"Miss Maltby go to-that is. mea
she knows too much. I'd like to knos
! where she got her precious informa
! tion. I'm sure / should know of m
own engagement as soon as anyone"
! Chris laugh would have fallen O
! unprejudiced ears as a hysterical gig
! gle.
what a mix up this is. Who eve
, told you that I-how did you get it int
,, your head?"
"Why. through that man Truax. L.
, interview him later on. But have
curiosity to know the name of the in
dividual Miss Maltby has bestowed m
heart upon."
Worth was talking fast merely t.
conceal his delighted agitation over thu
discovery of Chris freedom. He die
not notice that she was SO agitated her
self as to preclude notice OF any agita
tion ON his part.
E"And who" chimed In Chris, "doei
Mr.. Truax expect will pay my millinery
BILLS? II hats continue to be loaded
with plumes, the man will be glad of al
escape"
Chris was conscious that this was q
inane joke. Worth knew II, too, Blu
. they laughed excitedly in chorus.
t IAN Truax knew Of your fiance wa
hat be Il not : native Of this town