Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-05-09

"If this isn't a easel Congratula
tions on my engagement Now, shall
! 60 or shall l not? This hardly reads
like Chris. It's too gushing. She il
more reserved. Perhaps her own en-
gagement has changed her. I've hearC
Of such things. III go.
wish / knew the man she is engaged
10. Wouldn't l 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 was 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
10 carry the matter of without finch
ing. -. Il. = Or
I've answered your congratulations
in person, Chris" be began, in jovial
way, sinking into his favorite arm
chair. Your note broke in upon the
most doleful reverie confirmed old
bachelor ever INDUCED in"
There I sat" Worth went on. "my
elbows on my knees and my head in nv
hands, groaning over the prospect Of
duh 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
fellow"
"Dressmaking and letter writing"
Chris. interrupted, in a wondering tone
Her eyes had become large and round
and pucker 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 quicker
had extended half way up her fore
head.
Now, Chris, it's bad enough for Won
10 go and get engaged, without putting
up such big bluff on me in that way."
Putting-up ~ bluff" puzzled
Chris, but the pucker began TO smooth
Itself out. so far you are an enigma
20 me"
Worth sighed.
We'll, Chris, I suppose the Christian
way to do would be TO offer YOU both
hands and wish you all the happiness
you'll be sure not only to get. but 10
give, that lucky fellow, whoever he is"
Worth's voice was perilously near be-
ing shaky.
Happiness IN get and give" Chris
was still following helplessly.
When we meet" Worth went on. in
his gayest tone, trife forced. don't
be surprised if give him the fat of my
hand for depriving me of my best
chum"
Chris leaned back and spoke reso-
lutely.
Worth, IL you viii be kind enough to
explain yourself. III 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.
NO, Chris. / don't know whom Pm
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 wen as your
heart"
But Worth did not 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 go to-that is. 1 mean
che knows too much. I'd like to know
where she got her precious informa-
tion. I'm sure l should know Of nv
own engagement as soon as anyone"
Chris laugh would have fallen on
unprecedented ears as hysterical gig
gle.
What mix up this is. Who ever
told you that I-how did you get it into
your head2"
Why, through that man Truax. I'll
interview him later on. But have a
curiosity TO know the name of the in
eividual Miss Maltby has bestowed my
heart upon"