The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-26
A DIFFICULT MISSION
BY NAPOLEON S. zARIcK.

1t was one day when l sat by my |
studio window that Rowloy and Hart
arrived together at my door. They sat
down. Rowley looked nj Hart. Hart |
returned the compliment. Silence en-
sued.
Boys" said I, at length, "you had
better toss up for who speaks first"
They grinned uneasily and then Row
ley, who is, perhaps, just Il thought
quicker than Hart, opened the CONVEX |
sation.
Jack" he began, "you know Miss
Annie SEYMOUR"
1 nodded affirmatively.
well" he continued, Its about her.
You see, we're both very much in love
with her"
"And she?" asked.
Hart took up the thread. "She has
been nice-very nice TO both of u.s." he
said. in fact, Jack, we cannot decide
which of us she prefers. And we don't
want to take any unfair advantage"
But" l began.
you don't see what we're driving at,
Ell? Wen, I'll explain, if Hart will al
low me. We just want you to be the
same kind old Jack you've always
! been. We want you to-to-well, dash
it alive want you to find out fer US
which of the two she really does want
to marry"
! / sat up, and lit a cigar.
| You see, boys" said 7, there's q
little difficulty in the way which you
don't seem to have considered. Miss
Annie Seymour barely knows me-"
! "Oh, but she does, and likes you,
too" This from Hart
Boys" said ], Its a ticklish mis-
sion, but l promise you I'll do my
best"
"Dear me, Mr.. Wintonl You have
been an unjustifable time about call
ing"
MY dear Miss Seymour, one cannot
set lightly about important functions"
You call on the muses. daily, am
told
but they are never at home. as
sure you"
Il wish I were a muse" remarked
Miss Seymour, with an adorable smile.
But you are" I protested. "You
certainly are-the tenth muse. The
muse Of"
"Of afternoon tea, of course. Won't
you have some tea, Mr.. Winton?"
by the way" was my first shot, II
saw John Hart yesterday"
Indeed? Sugar, Mr.. Winton?"
"And Bob Rowley, too. Saw them
both together,". ....
Really! Cream, Mr.. WintonT"
Both of my shots had failed. For a
young woman supposed to be deeply
interested in two young men, Miss Sey-
mour's matter-of-fact reception OF
those young mems names seemed sin.
gular indeed.
1t We're useless to detail our CONVEX,
sation. Suffice it that, although / re.
turned again and again to the charge
| failed to arouse in Miss Seymour the
slightest evidence of interest either in
Hart or Rowley.
And the odd part Of 1t was that she
changed the subject from my friends
affairs to mine-displaying indeed, q
tlattering, If unaccountable interest il
all my humble doings. In the end,
became desperate. Daring tactics,
felt were the only means at hand.
: Miss Seymour" I said, you do no
r seem to be enthusiastic over either
} Bob Rowley or Jack Hart"
: Up went Miss Seymour's eyebrows.
L well, hardlyI she exclaimed. g
don't see why I should be-"
1 Now suppose-just suppose-tha
: one of them We're to fall hopelessly il
: love with certain Miss Seymour
h would there be any hope for him?"
4 Miss Seymour set down her tea cul
4 and looked at me sternly-that is t
n say, as severely as she could. "Mr
t. Winton," she remarked, you wer
k asked to come here and put that ques
+ ton to mer'
s NO." I said, mot that one-I llav
X overStepped my mission"
Z l began studying the shape Of m
It boots, and wondering which was til
e foot I had just put into it,"
d Then there was little final cha
It as | took my leave. l don't quit
$ know how it came to pass, but jus
it before I departed Miss Seymour aske
II ME, You don't read your Longfelloy
- do you Mr. Winton?"
"Well-no," l replied; mot Shake.
perially, as one might say"
'Thece is some really excellent con
. mon sense in Longfellow. Good-by, NJ
f. Winton."
a About half way down the street
n stopped suddenly.
Il 'Longfellow' I remarked to mysel
Il, 'Longfellow? Now what has Lon,
Is fellow got to do with my lit
Sc schemes? She is not young woma
who makes remarks without reason
is connection. And then her look whe
lis she said! I'll swear there is son
of consoling message for poor Bob ar