The Paonia newspaper., 1911-04-21

Congratulations. Phillips. Glad to
hear Of your good luck"
Andrews good wishes beamed from
every part of his rotund countenance.
He halted a moment in his mad flight
for his car and vigorously pumped
the arm Of his bewildered victim.
Phillips searched vainly in his mind
for the cause of this unexpected ex-
preston of Joy. What reason had he
to be congratulated? Neither busi-
ness advancement nor success in 9TH
er lines had come to him Of late. At
the corner he met Hunt. The latter's
face lighted as he caught sight of
Phillips and he approached. arm out
stretched
"A long life of happiness. old man!
Say. I've some ideal building sites In
Birdview Addition. patriarchal trees.
green sward and all of that. Come
around and I'll be delighted to show
them to you"
And after joyfully wringins his
fnend's-and he hoped future pat
ron's hand he, too. Joined the hurry
ing throng crowding up the steps to
the elevated. In his haste he did not
note the cool reception Of his good
wishes. His felicitations had struck
a tender spot. for they smacked Of
matrimony or at least Of an engage
ment.
Phillips groaned inwardly when
ever he thought about It. The night
before. for the fortieth time. he had
resolved to find out his fate; but the
opportunity had come and gone. and
the words were still unsaid. Some
how his nicely prepared speeches al
ways vaporized when he came into
her presence. and II pluck did take
him far enough to speak concerning
his feelings It was only to founder
helplessly around until the weather
or some such impersonal subject let
him easily down to earth again Sure
ly Irene knew what he was trying to
say! Why. II she cared sor him. had
she given him SO little help!
A ddenly-remembered engage
ment turned his footsteps into the
building he was passing The ele-
vator let him out at the seventh floor.
ONCE. Henly turned at his entrance.
The same smile adorned his features.
He gripped his friends fingers tightly.
Il knew 1t would come at last Who
did the proposing7"
What In thunder do you fellows
mean?"
"Mean?" Henly's smile twisted It.
self into surprised grin. why. your
engagement to Irene Haskins. of
course"
Phillips stared at him in amaze
ment Henly caught up a morning
paper, searched through It hastily.
found what he wanted and handed It
TO his friend. indicating the para
gragh:
Announcement is made OF the en-
kins and MFR. Lawrence Phillips. a
popular young business man Of the
city"
Henly watched tho blank express
sion in his companions face.
Weren't you going to have It an
nounced for a while?" he chuckied.
And then banteringiy. II hope you
know you're engagedT
"T didn't" and then stopped.
You're not? Somebody-well, Il
looks as II she were giving you your
chance, old boy. Knew you meant II
but lacked courage to propose in the
conventional way. II were you. I'd
make tracks up there Immediately.
1t will be clear sailing now"
After Henly had left his friend he
began to thing. It'll do the trick.
but 1t isn't at all like Irene Haskins
Last resort. maybe. It's strange
about Phillips: pluck clear to the
bone in everything except In his WOO
ing"
Peggy, Irene's 15-year-old sister.
admitted Phillips and ushered him
into the library where a CHEEKY CRATE
fire was burning. A hidden some
thing made her dimples deeper. 9th
erwise in her external staidness there
was for her almost a suspicious
decorum.
Phillips had only a few minutes to
wait before the portieres were brush
ed aside and Irene stood framed by
their dark velvet softness. A sur
prised "Oh," escaped her and then an
icy. Il beg your pardon; ! didn't
know 1t was you. Peggy said-Sir!"
She drew back uttering the last in a
frigid exclamation.
Lawrence had sprung up at her en-
trance.
.I'u an pJad-" he began fubi-