Alaska sentinel., 1905-11-02
\ WEEKS ENGAGEMENTS.
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T Is extraordinary how wrong idea

l IS eAlIdolulldls uON MloIS lucdS
 get about. Some people actually 1 call me flirt. There Is not the slightest foundation for such an asser- tion-except that l happened to get en- gagged to five or six fellows one week. Indignantly l do think people should be more careful what they say. Con fidentially) I'll just tell you how 1t happened, and you'll see that I was not to blame at all.
 The first engagement was Sophie Nc Leod's fault. It wasn't an engagement at all, really. We were talking one Monday afternoon when 1 was stay ing at Aunt Annes, and she kept tell ing me how handsome and good and clever Fred Thomas was. I got so tired of hearing her that I simply had to do something. (Scornfully.) You know what little silly she is.
 My dear girl,' said at last, why do you think 1t necessary to tell me his perfections She became excited directly.
 II thought you scarcely knew him." tshe said. believe I had spoken 10 him twice, as matter of fact.
 Not know him." l cried. Do you mean to say that you haven't heard that he and I-Y" Ipaused and looked mysterious.
 What" she glared at me. He you"
 Its secret" said.
 You are engaged?"
 "I did not say so." looked very shy. Like this. Qooks shy) I am not very shy, really.
 You would not believe 1t, but the stupid girl turned quite disagreeable with me. She told her mother that Fred Thomas and were engaged, and her mother told everybody. Fred Thomas was away on visit, so he could not contradict the report. I thought 1t was great fun. So did my cousin-the ridiculous boys.
 Rev. Adolphus Surplice did not think It fun at all. He is Aunt Anne's tame curate. (Meanlngly) He had grown tanner while I was staying there. He called at 9:30 on Tuesday morning to Inquire if 1t was true. Of course I said No" He became so sentimental that I wished I had said Yes" He did not trouble to contradict the ru- nor. (Refectively) fancy he thought it would keep other people off. Wasn't it mean?
 He called again In the afternoon; al- 50 in the evening. Of course, a report got about that he and were engaged. didn't mind the report, but I minded him. So I told Cousin Tom that ne must do something to protect me. He said that he would. He is veyy in- genious. (Sadly) l am afraid he Is not always strictly truthful. He had had little conversation with the curate. Then Rev. Adolphus picked up hls hat and rushed out of the drawing-room with a loud groan. 1 was afraid Tom had been dlsagreea- ble, so I asked him what he had said.
 "Oh" he replied, carelessly, II just told him that you were ngaged all ready"
 1 Why, you great stupid!' l said, Il told him this morning, that I barely knew MT. Thomas Tom grinned.
 "I didn't say to Fred Thomas"
 What" WhoT I gasped.
 Me" said Tom, unabashed. could have boxed his ears with pleasure.
 You don't want to be engaged to me, do you?" l said, with horror.
 No fear" said he.
 You nasty, rude-boy"
 "Oh, all right" he said, cheerfully. "I will If you like"
 Of course knew he wouldn't. Uaughs.) There happens to be some- body else whom he prefers. So, on the whole, thought 1t was a good joke if mother didn't hear Mother is- well, very prim and proper, you know. with much gravity) I am considered very like her.