said Anthony, huskily.

He cleared his throat.

"Meanwhile," pursued Miss Mix, glowing delightedly in the sympathy of
her listener, "I introduced him to the Rogerses and the Peppers, and
lots of jolly people, who are doing him a world of good. He goes
about--he's developing. And now, just as I began to hope that the time
had come when we could quietly break off our engagement, here YOU are,
to make him feel in honor bound to stick to it!"

"Well, I am--" Anthony left it unfinished. "What can I do?" he asked
meekly.

"We'll find a plan somehow," said Miss Mix, approvingly. "But you must
be got out first!"

"And meanwhile," said Anthony, awkwardly, "I don't really know how to
thank you--"

"Oh, nonsense!" she said lightly. "You forget how fond I am of him!
Now, I'll go up to the house, and--" Her confident voice faltered, and
Anthony was astonished to see a look of dismay cross her face. "Oh, my
goodness gracious heavenly day!" she ejaculated softly. "Whatever shall
we do now? Now we never can get you out!"

"Then I'll stay in," laughed Anthony, philosophically.

Miss Mix echoed his laugh nervously. She glanced across the yard.

"It's that disgusting newspaper contest!" she said.

"That WHAT?"

"Please don't shout!" she begged, sitting down on her box again, "I'll
explain. You see, the San Francisco CALL, one of the big city dailies,
has offered the job of being its local press representative to the
college man who brings in the best newspaper story between now and the
first of May--that's less than ten days. Of course, all the boys have
gone crazy over it. It's a job that a boy could easily hold down with
his regular class work, and it might lead to a permanent position on
the paper's staff after graduation. About ten boys are working
furiously for it, and all their friends are working for them. Tony's
helping Jerry Billings, and Jerry has already taken in a couple of good
stories, and has a good chance. This, of course, would land it!"

"What would?"

"Why, THIS!" She was laughing again. "Can't you see? Think of the
head-lines! Even your New York papers would play it up. Think of the
chance to get funny! 'Old Fox in a Trap!' 'Goes to Bed with the
Chickens!' 'Iron King Plays Chanticleer!'"

"Thunder!" said Anthony, uncomfortably.

"There'd be no end of it, for you or me," said Miss Mix. "I know this
town."

"Yes, you're right!" agreed Anthony. "The idea is for me to sit here
until after the first of