The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-01-08
A Weeks Enga cement.


she said. I believe had spoken to him
z twice, as a matter Of fac
Not know him. I cried "Do Won
! mean TO say that you haven't heard that
ne and -" I paused and looked mys-
terious
"whatr' she giared at me. "He-you!''
Its secret" 1 said
You are engaged2"
''I did not say So" looked very shy.
Like this CL0oks shy) I am not very
shy, really.
You wouldn't believe it, but the stupi1
girl turned quite disagreeable vita ms
She told her mother that Fred Thomas
and 1 were engaged, and her mother
told everybody. Fred Thomas was away
on a visit, so he could not contradict
the report I thought it was great fun.
So did my cousin-the ridiculous boy
Rev Adolphus SBrplice did not think st
fun at all lie is Aunt Anne's tame Gu
rate. Caeaningly) He had grown tanner
while I was staying there He called at
$3.50 on Tuesday morning to inquire il
it waes true OF course I said ''No" He
became so sentimental that I wished I
had said yes" He did not trouble to
contradict the rumor. (ReheetIvelyl I
fancy he thought it would keep other
people off. Wasn't it mean2
"Oh, he replied careIessly, 7 just
told him that you were engaged al
ready"
Why, you great stupidP' I said. st
told him this morning that I barely
I knew Mr. Thomas" Tom grinned.
II didn't say to Fred Thomas"
what Who?" I gasped.
me" said Tom, unabashed. I could
/ have boxed his ears with pleasure
You don't want to be engaged to me,
/ DO you?" I said, with horror.
NO fear" said he.
You nasty, rude-boyi"
"oh. al. RIGHT, he said. cheerfuly. Il
/ viii If you like"
! Of course, [ knew he wouldn't.
I Gaughs) There happens 10 be some
/ body else whom he prefers So. on the
! whole, 1 thought it was a good i0ke--if
mother didn't hear. Mother is-weH.
/ very prim and proper. you know. with
much gravity) I am considered very
+ ike her
/ On Wednesday afternoon Jack-he's
Toms brother-came to me with long
face.
Il say, May" he began, 1--WE always
said you were a good sort" He looked
/ as though he desired reinsurance.
Il don't mind your saying it," in
formed him graciousIy.
Thanks Er-then you-er-wouldn't
mind saying I was-er-engaged to you?'
I jumped up and shook him. At least. I
7
"You-you donkeyr cried. 'I
wouldn't dream it."
Neither would t. he said emphatic
ally
You impertinent. hateful
you don't want he began. He
caught my eye in time to stop. 1t was
lucky for himl The idea.
Whatever made you say such a
thing?' I asked
We'll" ne said, uneasily. Mrs Mead
ows" She IS an enterprising widow
Didn't I warn you?"
That's where it was She began to I
talk about enga gements, and-er-that
sort Of thing, Won know"
More of that sort OF thing. you
know?" I suggested, kindly.
moo, didn't She said it was time I
7 was engaged to some one, and II sad 4
waste you"'
by the way do you know how many 4
people I'm engaged to at the present mo /
ment, Jack?" He shook his head
Four He whistlsd and opened his 4
eyes.
7 say, May, you're quite sort Of she !
Mormon" Then he went out-ouickIy
The next morning was Thursday. 4
had seven letters Of cOngratulation
As 1t happened. Cousin Guy came over
that morning. Enthusiastically Guy
IS a dearl Ny very, very best friend
No, nol I only mean friend" He is
lot older than I am, and has been ap-
propriated for years. Of course. I told
him about it. He laughed at first: then
he was so cross that I cried Naturally
ne said Never mind and kissed me
I didn't mind that only-Mrs. Jackson
came in at the moment, unannOunced. 1
She put ND her eyeglasses and stared
And Guy said: It's al right, Mrs Jack
son. We're engagedr'
So she tossed her head and went out
Gmprezsively) She is the biggest scan
dal-monger in the place. and Gearfuny) .
knew she'd write and tell her nephew. (
Captain Armstrong II didn't want
her to. He-he CpettishIv)-oh. bother
Guy had the sense to keep out Of nv (
way for the rest Of the day. / was SO I
angry that 7 wouldn't even say good-by
to him when he went Next morning
had q note:
Dear Nay:-Come over 10 mothers
this afternoon You must u IS import
ant Yours ever. GUY"
"Oh." I cried. surely he doesn't moan
that he OF course 7 knew he didn't.
but 7 couldn't helm worrying. Very Sc
riouslv) 7 wouldn't firt with dear old
Guy for anything I'm the world
He met me st the station and tsased
me ali the way 10 the house He had
wedding present for me. he said he the
dra Ting-room. but when 7 went in there
was nothing there: at least only Captain
Arr1stronrl
"Auow me to congratulate you on
your engagement 70 Gur." hc said icrr
tBut I'm not" 7 stamuered-
ITO your Cousin Jack. then 7 shook
my head. TO his brother. Tom. theue''
"%o no"
And Rev Aaolphas surpiioe." n
TANNED NIX foot