Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-08-26
! A LITTLE DIPLOMACY
} BY J. }. BELL.
By J. J. BELL.
n~>~>~>~~~>~~>~>>~~~

HNOU mentioned that you were 60
ing to call upon your cousin, !"
observed Jim, as we walked along.
Yes; you better join me" said 1.
mo, thanks, old man. But Heaven
knows wish could, he sighed rather
than spoke.
Whats the worry. jim? You never
were serious about Connie, were you?"
Wasn't II"
"H'm! Well, &c my knowledge, it's
months since you were last at the
house. But"
II say, Tom," he interrupted, 1T wish
you would put in good word for me"
"Eh?" said l, rather staggered.
Look here; it's this way. Connie
and were chums for long time, as
you know, and 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!" 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 ~ rN{ o6,O
Come away; let's hear about it,"
said I, encouragingly.
Jim groaned. ut began about Violet
Hastings. know did behave like an
ass there once. and Connie found out,
and then discovered previous small
romance Of Connie, and between the
two-oh. hang 1t! there's no use talk
ing about IT."
I'm afraid you are most to blame,
Jim. It 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 a good turn? Find out ii
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. Unjust consider"
Jim was beginning again to protest
his affection. but held out my hand.
"Will you be round to see me to-
night?" asked him.
Thanks, I'll be glad. But, say, old
man"
However, did not wait to let him
continue. Jim's good man; he and
/ are like brothers. Comics good
little woman--in fact, L But, never
mind. When l arrived at her abode
found her alone in the drawing-room
| 1t is not an unusual occurrence, this
finding her alone, and 1t is, perhaps
the only time when am glad to be
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, would offer nc
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, ~
met man to-day"
| "How you surprise mel" she OBJ.
| served, fippantly.
II met man." went on, steadily
who, when invited him to Join me
In paying my respects to you, abso.
lutely refused-absolutely refused
Connie regarded me pityingly.
| No doubt, being man. he had
work to do"
man."
| "Oh, indeed" she remarked, trifs
suspiciously, as she handed me my re.
plenished cup. Then she remarked:
"You have been out OF town lately p
Eyes; and the first person l met
on my return to-day was this, literary
man. Funny thing, his refusing tc
call with me; even thought of Of.
fering to let him come in my stead"
IF you had dared" she exclaimed
Recollecting herself, she added, cold
ly, II don't know what,you are talking
! about"
well. I've been talking some non.
sense, but now I'll give you the truln..
slipped my tea and continued: 1.-THE
fact is, I have just left Jim Lawrence
had an idea that he was on his way
to call here, but think he understood
from my manner that he had better
not"
you weren't rude, Tom 9"-anxious
~.
Impossible. But knew you couldn'
be bothered with him; he has becom.
such an idiot of late"
"You shouldn't speak SO of friend
Of yours" said Connie, reproachfully
I "Oh, he is thoroughly good sort
but he has annoyed his friends dread
fully by throwing away his chanceI
\ . . 1850 s--',s. $3.50