The Prescott daily news., 1911-04-25
With the Assistance of Peggy
By NETTIE STARR

near Of your good luck"
 Andrews good wishes beamed from every part of his round countenance. He halted 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- pressfon of joy. What reason had he to be congratulated? Neither busi- ness advancement nor success in oth- CT 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 wringing his friend'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 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 if pluck did take him far enough to speak concerning his feelings 1t 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, If she cared for him. had she given him so little help?
 A suddenly-remembered engage ment turned his footsteps into the building he was passing. The ele- vator let him out at the seventh floor,
  office. Henly turned at his entrance. The same smile adorned his features. He gripped his friends fingers tightly.
 T knew 1t would como at last. Who did the proposing?"
 What in thunder do you fellows mean?"
 "Mean?" Menly's smile twisted It. self into a 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 1t to his friend, indicating the para gragh:
 Announcement Is made of the en- gagement of Miss Irene Heloise Has, kins and MT. Lawrence Phillips, a popular young business man of the city"
 Henly watched the blank expres- sion in his companions face.
 Weren't you going to have it an nounced for while?" he chuckled. And then banteringly, "I hope you know you're engaged?"
 "I didnt-" and then stopped.
 You're not? Somebody-well. 1t looks as if she were giving you your chance. old boy. Knew you meant it but lacked courage to propose in the conventional way. If l were you, I'd make tracks up there immediately. It will be clear sailing now"
 After Henly had left his friend he began to thing. It'll do the trick. but it 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, Irenes 15-year-old sister, admitted Phillips and ushered him into the library where a cheery grate fire was burning. A hidden some thing made her dimples deeper 9th erwise ih her external staidness there was for her almost a suspicious decorum.
 Phillips had only 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. T beg your pardon; I 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'pn an p1ad--" ha hogan iuh}.