The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-09-17
ALITTLE DIPLOMACY
BY }. J. BELL.
hXTOU mentioned that you were go
ING to call upon YOUR cousin"

shVTOU mentioned that you were go
ing to call upon your cousin,
observed Jim, as we walked along.
"Yes; you better join me-" said I.
mo, thanks, old man. But Heaven
knows wish could" he sighed rather
than spoke.
whats the worry, Jim9 You never
were serious about Connie. were your"
wasn't II"
"H'm! Well, tc my knowledge, it's
months since you were last at the
house. But"
II say, Tom," he interrupted, II wish
you would put in good word for me-"
"Eh?" said l, rather staggered.
:; "Look here; it's this way. Connie
and l were chums for long time, as
you know, and I almost believe we
would have become more than friends
If we hadn't had quarrel. Oh! 1t was
nothing, really. but Connie wouldn't
make it up. And now when we meet
she won't speak to me-"
"Dear, dear" I murmured, with
sympathy. "Haye you tried writing
TO herr"
Eyes; once"
ANY reply?"
my own letter." he said, shortly.
I'm afraid, Jim, that your matter
for disagreement amounted to more
than you care to tell me-"
"Well," said my friend, "the thing
was nothing to begin with, but some
how 1t got exaggerated"
Some away; let's hear about it,"
said /, encouragingly.
Jim groaned. ut began about Violet
Hastings. know did behave like an
ass there once. and Connie found out,
and then I discovered a previous small
romance of Connie, and between the
two-oh, hang it! there's no use talk
ing about it."
I'm afraid you are most to blame,
Jim. 1t was terribly foolish of you to
find ont anything about Connie" We
had halted at the corner of the ter
race.
"Of course, I've blamed myself ever
SINCE" said Jim, humbly. "But will
you, Tom, for the sake of old friend
ship. do me good turn? Find out il
she cares at all-if may see her
again." Then he burst out almost
roughly: "You can say love her, If
you like"
softly, Jim, softly. think you
mean what you say, but Comics dear
little girl, and don't want to make any
mistakes. must consider"
Jim was beginning again to protest
his affection, but held out my hand.
Twill you be round to see me to-
night?" asked him.
Thanks, I'll be glad. But, I say, old
man"
However, / did not wait to let him
continue. Jim's good man; he and
l are like brothers. Comics q good
little woman-in fact, T. But, never
mind. When I arrived at her abode
found her alone in the drawing-room.
It is not an unusual occurrence, this
finding her alone, and 1t is, perhaps,
the only time when am glad to be
her cousin. By the time had fin
ished my first cup Of tea, had made
up my course of action with regard
to Jim's affaik but it was delicate
matter. In any case, l would offer no
advice to my cousin. Experience had
shown me that my five years seniority
had no value in her estimation.
by the way, Connie" began, hold
ing out my eggshell for more tea, 81
met man to-day"
How you surprise mel" she OBJ
served, fiippantly.
II met . man." went on, steadily,
who, when l invited him to join me
in paying my respects to you, abso-
lutely refused-absolutely refused"
Connie regarded me pityingly.
mo doubt. being man.. he had
work to do"
NO" said I. HE was a literary
man."
"Oh. indeed" she remarked, a trifle
suspiciously, as she handed me my re-
plenishcd cup. Then she remarked:
sYou have been out of town lately ?"
Eyes; and the first person l met
p nv return to-day was this literary