The daily sentinel., 1901-01-10
n to the young lady at once. together

/ Two days later among my morning
1etters 1 received a note from Mis-
strangerford asking me to go to tea
on getting telegram to put me off
decided to go and see Phyllis.
was shown into her boudoir ant
found her. as usual. curled up in al
armchair, smoking a cigarette. Il
struck me that she was looking ex
second I almost wished--that Laure
smoked.
Also. II Laura has a fault-which,
mind you, am not prepared to admit
still, if she has a fault. 1t is that she
has quaint ideas on the subject of hair
dressing. Now, Phyllis is always
beautifully "coiffe."
For my part felt little uncom-
the slightest most generous and for
giving person in the man there, and
he glared at me a little. but l treated
him with deserving contempt. After
about ten minutes of desultory chat
ter he took himself off.
Miss Phyllis watched the door close
behind him, and then, suddenly turn
ing to me. she stretcher out her hand
and said:
my dear Gerald, how can thank
you?"
confess that 1 was considerably
taken back.
II think" continued Phyllis, without
noticing my surprise. that you are
the most generous and forgiving per-
son in the world"
"T was afraid" said 1, that you
were offended with me, but you are
not, are you, since you've asked me to
Gomez"
"Offended!" said Miss Phyllis. my
dear Gerald, whatever made you think
that? You're dear. See, I've got it
on"
1 did see. and to my horror 1 real
lied for the first time that the glisten-
ing object which l had been admiring
30 much in Phyllis chiffon was the
brooch 1 had ordered for Laura.
That" gasped, "is little memen-
to Of our-of my engagement"
YES" said Phyllis, smiling. Il con-
slider myself really engaged now."
you don't mean to say" I STAN
mered, that you-"
"Oh, but l dol" she interrupted.
Really, really l dol" And her eyes
sparkled.
There is mistake somewhere"
explained, confusedly. 1-that is,
you'll mean 1 am engaged"
Naturally" said Miss Phyllis, rails
ing her eyebrows. I'VE are both en-
gaged-isn't it splendld?"
But" 1 managed to calculate at
last, with more force than politeness
"I'm engaged to some one else, not to
you"
This speech, blunt and plain enough
in its way, seemed to afford Phyllis
infinite amusement. She curled her
self up more tightly in her chair and
fairly quivered with suppressed merrt-
ment
Don't you understand" l explained
81 am engaged to Miss Ainesly-Laura
Ainesly, and-of course, I'm awfully
sorry, but that was sent you by mis-
take"
Phyllis managed to subdue heI
laughter.
my dear Gerald, please don't look
like that" she said, wiping the tears
from her eyes with an absurd little
pocket handkerchief. You needn't
look SO woebegone, even If you did
think 1 was going to accept you.
promise not to marry you. Can't you
see? You went into Somerton's and
ordered this brooch and told them to
send it direct to the lady's> house.
"It never seemed to have occurred
to you to mention her name, and as
they had made something for me al
your order in ages past they naturally
concluded that this was for me. too
and sent it on by a messenger with
your card knew it was mistake
SO 1 sent my maid down to inquire
It was not difficult to guess the truth. :
"Oh!" said lamely.
"There, here you are. you silly boy!
she said, holding out the brooch
Run away to Laura with it, and for
give me for playing a practical joke
on you, but you did look such pic
ture OF dismay!"