“Hush!” she interrupted laughingly, putting her gloved hand over his mouth. “If you’re going to talk like that, Fred, I’m going right out. I thought I’d drop in to congratulate you, and tell you a piece of news—two pieces of news, in fact—but I won’t stay if you say another word in that strain.”
“Well, it’s the truth,” he insisted, looking at her fondly. “Tell me how your uncle and cousin have been treating you since they found out how you beat them at their own game. I’ve been so anxious about you that I was just writing you a note.”
“They didn’t say a word to me about it—not even a gentle reproach from either of them,” Melba answered.
“That’s queer!” Carroll exclaimed in astonishment. “Can it be possible that they don’t know that it was you who got the films away from their photo-engraving room? If so, isn’t it highly imprudent of you to come here now, Melba? If they should learn about this visit, they might possibly put two and two together, you know.”
“Oh, they must know of the trick I played them,” the girl declared. “They couldn’t help finding it out. The man up in their photo-engraving room knew me, and he must have told them what happened.[Pg 52]”
“And yet you say they didn’t raise a fuss?” Carroll’s tone was almost incredulous.
“Not the slightest, Fred. Isn’t it odd? On the contrary, my uncle’s manner to me last night and this morning was unusually kind and gentle; and as for my cousin—well, that’s one of the startling items of news that I’ve come to tell you.” Melba laughed softly, “Would it be a shock to you, Freddie, to learn that you have a rival?”
“A rival?” he repeated questioningly.
“Yes; a rival in love. My cousin asked me to marry him last night, Fred.”
“What!” Carroll was so astonished that he fairly shouted the monosyllable.