The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1901-06-06

'If this isn't a case! Congratula-
tons on my engagement! Now, shall
l go or shall l 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.
wish knew the man she is engaged
to. Wouldn't | meet him cordially.
I'd grip his hand until Il would be use
less for a month"
Worth Brice set his hat savagely on
his head, tore a small note into a dozen
pieces, threw them into an open CRATE
and went out, locking his door with
such force that the key was bent.
Ten minutes later Christabel Love
was extending her hand to him in
rather constrained manner. There
was an additional warmth in Worth's
greetings because he had determined
to carry the matter off without finch.
ing.
I've answered your congratulations
in person. Chris" he began. in a jovia,
way sinking into his fayortte arm
chair. Your note broke in upon IT,,
most doleful revcrie confirmed ole
bachelor ever INDUCED in"
There ] sat- Worth went on. "my
elbows or my knees and my head in my
hands, groaning over the prospect o.
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 sec
a fellow"
"Dress>naking and letter writing"
Chris. interrupted, in a wondering one
Her eyes had become large and round
and quicker appeared between her
brows.
Worth laughed rather Loudly, and
slapped his knee, a thing Chris had
never seen him do before.
I'D Just given up lamenting alone
and decided to come and condole with
myself in your presence when your
note came"
Worth indulged in another mirth-
less laugh. Chris leaned forward and
looked at him intently. The pucker
had extended half way up her fore
head.
''Now, Chris, it's bad enough for you
to go and get engaged, without putting
up such big bluff on me in that way"
"Putting,-up - a - bluff" puzzled
Chris but the pucker began to smooth
itself out 80 far you are an enigma
to me-"
Worth sighed
swell, Chris. l suppose the Christian
way to DIE would be to offer you both
hands and wish you all the happiness
you'll be sure not only to get, but TO
give, that lucky fellow, whoever he is"
Worth's voice was perilously near be-
ing shaky.
"Happiness I'll get and give" Chris
was still following helplessly
when we meet" Worth went on, in
his gayest tone, a trifle forced don't
be surprised if give him the fiat of my
hand for depriving me of my best
chum."
Chris leaned back and spoke reso-
lutely.
Worth, if you will be kind enough to
explain yourself, I'll be convinced. per-
haps of your sanity. Whom are you
talking about, or don't you know your
self?"
Worth became suddenly sober, as
sober as he really felt.
mo, Chris. | don't know whom I'm
discussing-that's the trouble-but it s
that mysterious some one that you're
engaged to-"
Il engaged? That's news to me-
Worth, your own engagement has af-
fected your head as well as your
heart"
But Worth did net wait for her to
finish. He broke in eagerly, bringing
himself forward in his chair with an
impetuous jerk.
SAY, now, aren't you, really, honor
bright? I'm not, of course. How'd you
hear? It's all fake with me-"
"a fake with you? Why, it came
straight from Miss Maltby, this morn
ing, She said she knew it."
Miss Maltby 60 to-that is, mean
she knows too much. I'd like to know
where she got her precious informa-
ton. I'm sure | should know of my
own engagement as soon as anyone"
Chris laugh would have fallen on
unprecedented ears as hysterical gig
gle.
What a mix up this is. Who ever
told you that how did you get it into
your head?"
why, through that man Truax. I'll
interview him later on. But / have a
curiosity to know the name of the in
dividual Miss Maltby has bestowed my
heart upon"