Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-06-09
The Argus Daily Short Story
Diplomacy-By F. A. Mitchell.
Copyrighted. 1910. by Associated Literary Presa

ger boy came in at the gate ana denv-
cred a dispatch. The maid opened
and read 1t.
It's from Miss Whitehead" she
said. ''She is uncertain about her re-
turn and would like you to make her
proposition through me-"
1T told you so. She has recognized
in you a head for business"
Mr.. Jurnegan was a clear headed
man and one who acted on broad and
liberal principles. He laid down the
business situation between himself and
Miss Whitehead showing that their in
terests were identical, that they must
manage tremendously the property in
which they were Jointly interested
He was proceeding when the maid in
terrupted him.
at seems TO me, SIR" she said, that
by far the best arrangement to be
made is for you and Miss Whitehead
to marry. I hope you'll never tell her
I proposed such a thing. If you do
III lose my place"
ST had often thought of that myself"
said Jurnegan. naturally surprised.
"But am opposed to marrying wo-
man older than myself. You say that
Miss Whitehead is thirty and home
ly?"
81 am not a judge of beauty. You
might think her fairly good looking"
lit takes two to make a bargain.
What do you think Miss Whitehead
would say to your plan?"
"She favors it,"
"Favors it,
Eyes, Sir She has told me several
times that it's the only way Of making
a satisfactory permanent settlement"
"Oh, see. Miss Whitehead. having
such an opinion. prefers to let it be
known through another. I'm inclined
to think she went away on purpose to
enable me to get 1t through you"
you're right sir. The story about
her aunt was made up"
well, upon my word! You're very
frank about it. But. while Miss White.
head, you say, favors a settlement by
marriage. it doesn't mean that she
would settle it in that way without
seeing me, and if she sees me she
might decide that no such settlement
is possible"
81 think that part of it would be all
right, sir"
"Why 500"
We'll, Miss Whitehead is a very
sensible and a very practical woman.
She is also peculiar and has some
strange notions. She thinks that love
often blinds US to our best interests.
She went away resolved that IL this
settlement by marriage be agreed TO
by you her consent would depend en-
tirely on my report of you"
THE dickens she did! That beats
anything Of the kind l ever heard of
as coming from a woman"
Miss Whitehead. as l told you, is
very peculiar
II should think she is. leaving the
question of her acceptance of life
partner to her maid"
But, under the circumstances. don't
you think, sir, that it shows a certain
depth of wisdom?'
81 don't know but it does"
"Well, sir, since my mistress has left |
her part in the matter to me it is set !
tied. Now, what shall say to her as
to your part?'
"You can say that I am so astonish-
ed at this remarkable method of bring |
ing about n settlement that l don. |
know what to say. It's my opinion |
that you have furnished the brains 10 |
concoct such a plan. If you were |
making the proposition on your own |
behalf l would say. It's a CO. ASS |
is / must see Miss Whitehead before |
giving an answer"
VERY well. sir; viii telegraph her |
to come Mt once"
How long will she be coming?"
"She will be here for dinner"
With that the maid arose. remarked |
that the periodicals on the table were |
of the latest issue and left him. In |
stead of reading them he got up and |
walked about the grounds. He saw
nothing. however. his mind being en-
tirely taken up with this remarkable |
turn I'm his affairs. The maid had |
doubtless been instructed to say that |
Miss Whitehead was older than she |