Griggs courier., 1898-08-12
ALlTTLE DIPLOMACY.
BY ). J. BELL.

" y
ing to call upon your cousin"
observed Jim, DIS we walked along.
"Yes; you better join me" said I.
mo, thanks, old man. But Heaven
knows wish could" he sighed rather
than spoke.
"What's the worry, Jim? You never
were serious about Connie, were you?"
"Wasn't -"
"H'm! Well, tc my knowledge, it's
months since you were last at the
house. But"
II say, Tom," ne interrupted, II wish
you would put in a good word for me-"
''Eh?" said I, rather staggered.
'Look here; it's this way. Connie
and 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! it was
nothing. really, but Connie wouldn't
make it up. And now when we meet
she won't speak to me-"
"Dear, dear" 1 murmured, with
sympathy. Have you tried writing
to her?"
Eyes; once"
"Any reply?"
"A[y 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 it got exaggerated"
"Come away; let's hear about it,"
said I, encouragingly.
Jim groaned. "It began about Violet
Hastings. I know did behave like an
ass there once, and Connie found out,
and then discovered previous small
romance of Connie, and between the
itwo-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 out 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 if
she cares at all-if 1 may see her
again" Then he burst out almost
roughly: "You can say love her, if
you like"
''Softly. Jim, softly. I think you
mean what you say, but Comics dear
little girl, and 1 don't want to make any
mistakes. I must consider"
Jim was beginning again to protest
his affection, but held out my hand.
1>~
night?'' I asked him.
Thanks, I'll be glad. But, say. old
man"
However, I did not wait to let him
continue. Jim's good man; he and
I are like brothers. Comics a good
little woman-in fact. I But, never
mind. When I arrived at her abode l
found her alone in the drawing-room.
1t is not an unusual occurrence. this
finding her alone, and it is, perhaps,
the only time when am glad to be
her cousin. BY the time I had fin
ished my first cup of tea, had made
up my course Of action with regard
to Jim's affair; but it was delicate
matter. In any case, I 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 eggshcll for more tea, 81
met man to-day"
How you surprise met" she OBJ.
served, fippantly..
II met a man." I went on, steadily
''whO, when I invited him to ioin me
in paying my respects to you, abso
lutely refused-absolutely refused
Connie regarded me pityingly.
mo doubt, being man, he haG
work to do"
NO." said I. "He was literar,
man."
= ':oh. indeed" she remarked, a trif,
suspiciously. as she handed me my re
splenished cup. Then she remarked
'You have been out of town lately 2
"Yes; and the first person me
On my return to-day was this iterar,