Gilpin observer., 1917-04-19
Diplomacy
BY EARL REED sILvERs.

oy G<HI ne1O SIIV6HS.
With Mr.. Ted Baldwin 1t was case
OF Il can dance with everybody but
my wife" He and Betty had beer
married for year and n half and In
that time they had never once dis.
agreed on single subject-except
dancing. In his bachelor days Ted
had rather prided himself on his abll.
ity In the terpsichOrean art, and the
compliments which several maidenly
hopefuls showered upon him only
strengthened his belief that he could
easily and happily dance his way
through life.
And then he had met Betty Will
liams. Betty cared more for playing
tennis than she did for dancing, and
when Ted had danced with her once or
twice he too showed a decided prefer
ence for the freedom Of the courts.
Even Betty's most ardent admirers ad-
mitted that the young lady in question
would never be another Mrs. Vernon
Castle. But Ted had married her Just
the same.
what difference does 1t maker he
had said to himself There are 9th.
er things In life besides dancing"
And then, strange as 1t may seem,
Betty Baldwin, nee Williams, con-
ceived sudden desire to learn all the
latest steps. Through the long winter
season she dragged Ted regularly to
the weekly hops at the Country club.
using her wifely prerogative to make
him dance every single number with
her. Her natural bent, however, was
still toward tennis. After month or
so Of endless fox trotting and waltzing
the week-ends became veritable night
mares to the otherwise happy husband.
He ventured a protest.
Il don't think you'll ever be much
Of a dancer, Betty" he advised her
pleasantly. Lets not go to the club
tonight"
Betty answered not a word. For
moment she gazed at her husband with
wide-opened eyes; then, suddenly she
dropped her head in her dimpled arms
and burst into tears. Thereafter Ted
bore his cross in silence. The dancing
subject was taboo.
When the date Of the annual assem-
bly, ball rolled around, however, Ted
grew well nigh desperate. A world
famed orchestra had been engaged to
provide music, and twenty-five dances
had been placed upon the cards. More
over, Mildred Chatfleld, whom Ted had
not seen for three years and who was
the most wonderful dancer he had ever
known, had arrived In Glenwood and
had stated her intention of attending
the ball. She reminded Betty's hus-
band not to forget to dance with her.
On the evening Of the dance young
Mr.. Ted Baldwin gazed with half
opened eyes at his wife, sitting oppo-
site. Suddenly plan flashed into his
mind.
'Betty," he said, we've been mar
ried for almost two years now, haven't
WEI"
"Yes." she answered, zone year and
eight months"
"And we've never had a disagree
ment."
Never"
"What's the reason?"
"Don't you known" She looked at
him inQuiringly.
II don't think do"
"Well, I'll tell you. It's because
your wife, whom you don't half appre-
ciate, has resolved to overlook all of
your faults and to smile indulgently
whenever you do anything wrong"
Ted's face lighted.
"Do you mean to say that whatever
I do, you'll simply smile and let 1t
pass?"
That's what I have been doing for
the past twenty-odd months"
Ted nodded.
"Yes," he answered seriously.
'When / come to think OF 1t you're
right" He walked around the table
and kissed one Of her ruddy cheeks.
"Bdt I'll bet you box Of candy
against a good cigar that I can do
.