The sun., 1901-02-23

i 20 OF Sldll hObE HIS lcaho
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 it would be use
less for a 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
to carry the matter off without finch
ing.
1--WE answered your congratulations
in person, Chris" he began, in a jovial
way, sinking into his fayorite arm
chair. "Your note broke in upon the
most doleful reverie confirmed old
bachelor ever INDUCED in"
'tThere / 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
fellow"
"Dressmaking and letter writing"
Chris. interrupted, in wondering tone.
Her eyes had become large and round
and a pucker appeared between her
brows.
Worth laughed rather loudly, and
slapped his knee, 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 INDUCED 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, ni out putin
up such big bluff on me in thai way
. Putting up - bluff" puzzle
! Chris, but The pucker began to su.ooti
itself out. $50 far you are an enigms
to me-"
Worth sighed
"Well, Chris, suppose the Christian
way to do would be TO offer you boil
hands and wish you all the happines
!. you'll be sure not only to get, but t.
give, that lucky fellow, whoever he is
Worth's voice was perilously near be
Il ing shaky.
= "Happiness I'll get and give" Chri
was still following helplessly.
when we meet" Worth went on, j
his gayest tone, trife forced, "don'
d be surprised if give him the flat of m
y hand for depriving me of my bes
chum."
= Chris leaned back and spoke rese
1utely.
n "Worth, if you will be kind enough t
explain yourself, I'll be convinced, pei
haps, of your sanity. Whom are 70
talking about, or don't you know you
self?"
y" Worth became suddenly sober, q
!. sober as he really felt.
= ''No, Chris, don't know whom u
~ 's. discussing--that's the trouble but i
no that mysterious some one that your
IL engaged to-"
" ST engaged? That's news to m
ng Worth, your own engagement has
fected your head as well as yo'
heart"
But Worth did not wait for her
al hpIT 1gr
himself forward in his chair with
impetuous jerk.
lie ssSay, now, aren't you, really, hon
j g bright? I'm not, of course. How'd y
III hear? It's all a fake with me"
~ "a fake with you? Why, it car
d ,,il straight from Miss Maltby, this MOI
,nd 'n ing. She said she knew it."
on, "Miss Maltby go to-that is, me
his she knows too much. I'd like TO kn'
ur where she got her precious inform
uil tion. I'm sure / should know oil
OF own engagement as soon as anyone
'm Chris laugh would have fallen
unpreiudiced ears as hysterical
a.. gle. u, :,
w ,;I "What a mix up this is. Who e.
~ fold Won that I-how did you get 1t II
VI y y
SAT- your head?" m
age. "Why, through that man Iruax.
ing, interview him later on. But l nav
the curiosity to know the name OF the
diyidual Miss Maltby has bestowed
heart upon."
ary. Worth was talking fast merely
.. conceal his delighted agitation over
!, and !" discovery of Chris freedom. ne !,
Il be not notice that she was so agitateu ! !
,hn self as to preclude notice OF any agl
ha- ton on his part. ,,... .d
lcto sand who," chimed in Chrls, q
sde Mr.. Truax expect will pay my m1ihh
and billsP If hats continue to be ioa =
shea with plumes, the man will be giau o
'vor escape" r,;s va,
.sd, o,L Chris was conscious that this waS
,on,. inane Joke. Worth knew IL too'
t the they laughed excitedly in chorus
.ople "All Truax knew of your nance
that he is not native OF TINS 'e
Name was not familiar to him."
I.Nr n ~