The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1907-05-24

could think of nc suggestion, and
silence fell for a moment or two.
Just think Of the unpleasantness
Of 1t. Honor" she remarked. II have
had a telegram to say he is coming
at three o'clock"
And what are you going to dot"
There was a long pause.
II thought of going down to see
Mrs. Maloney's new baby about them
she said at last.
| half rose to my feet in indigna.
ton, and then sat down again.
And leave me, I suppose, to inter-
view the victim of your foolishness!
Cynthia" l said solemnly, Il am not
going to do It,"
Honor she said, insinuatingly.
lust think how horribly unpleasant
it would be for me to meet him, not
having a notion as to which letter
put in the post. Whereas you could
be as innocent as a lamb, and easily
find out incidentally in conversation,
whether I said Yes or No"
81 am not going to help you," l said,
rising and walking across the gravel.
ed terrace to the balustrade.
II am sure you will when you think
of it, Honor, dear" she said entreat-
ingly. 1T is not much | am asking
you to do. Just to see MI. Peters,
instead Of me. Then I shall know
how to meet him, and shan't be taken
aback."
1t was close upon three o'clock, and
a servant came to tell me that Mr..
Peters was in the drawing-room. and
that Cynthia could not be found.
AS the interview had been forced
on me | determined to make the best.
Of it.
Cynthia faced me quite placidly on
her return.
"Well?' she said interrogatively.
did you see him."
Yes, l saw him." I answered
CURLY.
And which letter was it l put in
the mail?"
Il have no more notion than you
have"
Cynthia opened her eyes.
You mean to tell me you talked
to him for half an hour and couldn't
find out that much! Weren't there
any symptoms?"
What do you mean by 'symp-
toms?'"
When he came into the room did
to stand on his head? Oh did he
look as if he hadn't shaved for a
week, and never meant to shave
again? Did you ask him if he was
happy?"
moi" cried, exasperated, nor did
l ask him if he was good; O how old
he was; nor whether he dyes his hair,
nor any other impertinent ques-
ton"
Then it seems to me it has all
got to be done over again, and we are
no further than we were before" shc
said dismally, rising from her chair
and walking to the window.
II am afraid you will have to face
him yourself the mex time, CYNTHIA"
l replied gently.
Suppose l were to throw myself
on his mercy" she said hopefully,
turning round after a pause-"tell
him the whole truth, and say l had
made a Observation-Disclosures way it
was-what do you think he would
say?"
HE would certainly have nothing
more to do with you," 1 answered Sc
verely.
Il do wish l knew what I said,"
she murmured. 81 should feel so
much more settled"
Three days passed and there was
no sign of Mr.. Peters. Cynthia's spir-
its began to droop. and l was sur
prised to notice a little line of worry
permanently settle itself between her
eyebrows.
Then n afternoon l found her In
a secluded corner in tears.
"Oh, Honor" she sobbed, giving
way altogether, 81 must have said
No Can't O help me anyhow,
Honor? You have never failed me
yet"
But what can l do?" 1 replied.
helplessly.
Go and see him." she said, des-
perately. Tell him l didn't mean
1t, Honor-that l mean Yes for all
the rest Of my life"
Il can't do that" l said at last,
but I'll go and persuade him, IL I
can, to come and see you.'
returned some two hours Iot>r
from my rather distasteful mission to
find Cynthia by herself in the draw
ing-room. To my surprise her face
was wreathed in smiles, and she
waved a square OF white paper at me
exultantly as. entered the room.
"Honor!" she cried. Its the LEI.
ter! found it in the pocket of the
dress I was wearing that day, ana
he's just waiting till the end Of the
week for my answer!" / stared at
her stupidity. (,
LMAA