The Washburn leader., 1908-04-10

struck Dorothy dumb for the moment.
It was as though the mans real char
acter had revealed itself in fash. He
had taken her answer for granted.
Dorothy's vacillating little heart grew
hot with rebellion and prompted her to
take recourse in very daring strategy.
II was writing to tell you that am
engaged to some one else" she an
nounced bravely.
Reginald stared at her. Slowly the
situation dawned upon him.
$50 Mr.. Butler is the lucky man.
then?" he answered sneeringly. Il did
not realize that he was rival until I
got his letter by mistake. Doubtless
that was your acceptance of him, Miss
Brett. that l remailed to you. ! shall
certainly take pleasure in congratulate
ing him at my first opportunity. Good
night"
mo. no; wait!' called Dorothy as
soon as she could recover from the
shock of this mans anger. But it was
too late.
"Heavens" she gasped. Suppose he
announces my engagement to Robert
Butler"'
She rushed to the telephone and wait
ed impatiently for central to get the
number.
'1s this Mr.. Butler? This is Dorothy
Brett. What? You recognized my
voice the very first word? You were
expecting me to call up?" Dorothy
made very little face.) "Well. l just
wanted to tell you that am engaged
to Ned Hamilton. What? You say he
denied it this very afternoon? Well.
you see. wanted to tell you about it
myself! Why. thank you. Mr.. Butler.
I'm sure we shall be. Come to see me.
Good night"
Again Dorothy waited with the re.
ceiver close to her little pink ear, this
time with almost dancing anticipation.
"Oh. Ned. is this really you? Where
have you been all this week? 1t seems
month. It's my own fault. Well.
Ned, could you possibly come over this
evening? You can't? Got to take
whom to the theater: Oh. your sister!
Goodness! thought you said Leices-
ter somebody. Well. do find some one
else to take her. You see. just tele-
phoned Mr.. Butler that you and are
engaged and That's what said
engaged! had to. Um-hum. Now
hurryv'
Ned put on his "seven league boots''
and hurried.
Dorothy" he gasped when he
reached her. breathless. but happy. ''do
you really mean that I'm the lucky
dog?"
"Of course" she answered, laughing
at his boyish incredulity. "Who else
did you s'pose?''
"Why. don't know, dearest. l guess
was bit shaky about Butler and
that Warren fellow. Warren's been
boasting. in fact. that you'd soon an,
nounce your engagement to him.
'The little beast!' exclaimed Dor
othy. flushing. But her anger died
down as suddenly as it came.
"Oh. Ned. I'm so happy", she whis-
pered. for by this time Ned had her in
his arms and was making up for lost
time. 1T was awfully risky of you
leaving ME alone for whole week."
she chided. II came very near accept
ing Reginald Warren not more than an
hour ago."
Ned loosened his hold of her slightly.
"Out of spite." Dorothy added rogu-
ishly. "'cause you didn't care enough
to come for your answer"
"But you asked me not to come till
you gave me permission" he reminded
her.
Didn't you see the special postscript
on the inside. of the envelope-on the
fap?"
Ned drew the envelope from his
pocket. 1t had been cut open at the
top. He folded back the flap.
eff you get very anxious" he read.
''you needn't watt
Dorothy" be exclaimed. kissing her
rapturously. 'if had only known"
"Men have no curiosity" she sighed
happily. "and no Imagination. They
lose a lot of fun