The true northerner., 1899-01-25
A LITTLE DIPLOMACY
By J. J. BELL.

NJ ~
ing to call upon your cousin"
observed JIM as we walked along.
"Yes; you better join me" said L.
"No, 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"
HIN! Well, to my knowledge, it's
months since you were last at the
house. But"
Il say, Tom," he interrupted, Il wish
you would put In good word for me"
"Eh?" said /, rather staggered.
Look here; it's this way. Connie
and / were chnms for long time, as
YOU know, and / 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 10 me-"
"Dear, dear" / murmured, with
sympathy. Have 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-"
We'll" said my friend. "the thing
was nothing 10 begin with. but some
how it got exaggerated"
"Come away; let's hear about it,"
said |, encouragingly.
Jim groaned. ''It 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 il! there's no use talk
ing about IL"
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 IL
she cares at all--if | may see her
again" Then he burst out almost
roughly: "You can say I love her, il
you like"
softly, Jim, softly. I 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.
"Will you be round TO see me to-
night? ?" j 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
I are like brothers. Comics a good
little woman-in fact, L But, never
mind. When l arrived at her abode l
found her alone in the drawing-room.
Ii 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 / had fin
ished my first cup of tea, l had made
up my course Of action with regard
TO Jim's affair; but il was delicate
matter. In any case, | 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, flippantly.
II met man." l 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 l. "He was literary
man."
"Oh, indeed" she remarked, trifle
suspiciously, as she handed me my re-
plenished cup. Then she remarked:
"You have been out Of town lately?"
"Yes; and the frsty person I met
on my return to-day was this literary
man. Funny thing, HIS refusing to
call with me; even thought of Of
fering to let him come ii my stead"
"If you had dared" she exclaimed.
Recollecting herself shA added. cold
ly, II don't know what yoh are talking
about"
well I've been '''''4 ,s$ % pc nom