The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1903-03-26


alacrity and eagerness, for Nita's man
nsr changed Immediately.
Il don't know why | should" said
My Lady. You don't want to know
Il know I don't, dear" said I, trying
to sound relieved. Good night" and
in few moments snored-a thing
never do-really. Nita didn't suspect,
though.
A long pause. had ceased my
snoring. but sleep was really begin.
ming to get the best Of me. though
was pinching myself black and blue
Then
Are YOU awake. Henrietta?" came
in very subdued voice from the
darkness.
almost said no so anxious was
| about my diplomacy.
IL would like to tell you, Henri.
etta--but- (my heart sank)-but }
don't know how to begin.
Here heard something very like .
giggle, smothered In a pillow. Now
even as a schoolgirl Nita had nevei
been guilty Of giggling Horrors
rs it anything about the rug, dear?'
I suggested kindly.
Indeed, mol" came the indignant
answer.
Another silence. then
Perhaps it is-about the rug-aftei
all, Henrietta"
-"Yes?" (This very sleepily.) d
"He-I mean If We hadn't sold it, we
couldn't have come, and if we hadn't
come-why, then-O. Henrietta-he's
awfully fond OF me. and ! guess like
him." (Yes. they were-gigglesl ]
never would have believed it Of her
never.)
was evidently supposed to be sym
pathetic, which under the circum.
stances was hard. | hadn't the least
idea who he was To tell the truth, I
hadn't noticed Nita much at the house
party, being-but never mind.
He's so nice and tall This was
merely to say something anything
All OF the half-dozen men were tall
four Of them unmarried and only one
Of them engaged. to my knowledge
He was one Of the other three then.
tried in vain to remember the colors
Of their eyes) Isn't he?" acquiesced
Nita. joyfully
He has a lovely name" ven
tured.
Such a lovely name said Nita.
And then l thought l knew. for one
mad the first name Of John, another
the last name Of Smith. Nita had al
ways hated the first name OF John.
and the last name Of Smith was
quite sure of myself now. grew very
bold.
"A stunning name-Reginald Haugh.
ton"
Henrietta. what are you talking
about-you don't think-you can't
think I'm engaged to that fool How
could you? Oh. but you poor dear. l
mustn't blame you. How could you
have eyes for Il mustn't tell
what she ssid-such foolish childl)
well. IN tell you-I'm engaged to
Rowland Smith, and I'm very glad.
Goodnight"
The next morning they went up to
town to buy some cotillon favors. Nita
told me they we're also going to buy
the rug back-"I've told him all about
It. and he says We must have it foi
Our House ut was spoken with g
Capital airl) They came back on ar
afternoon train. went across the
lawn 70 meet them.
The rug was bought-by whom. do
you think2 That horrid Mrs. Ardsley.
But I don't care said Nita, smiling
sweetly at as tone Of as especially,
as she turned toward the house
"She has the most beautiful disposi.
ton In the world. said the lucky
man. looking after her fondly
Tonight, the last one Of the house
party. Nita told me. with glee. Il have
made a discovery; his whole name is
John Howland Smith. and. as don't
want to cali him what every one else
does. I'm going 20 cali him joint
Maud Virginia Thompson in Boston