Smyrna times., 1917-06-06
LESSON IN DIPLOMACY
BY HARRISON CHASE.


Il think that fighting is the most
horrible thing in the world" Doris At
kinson announced to Tom Stanton. 81
believe in the peace-at-any-price pol
ICY"
Stanton smiled ever so slightly at
her words.
Don't you think that sometimes it
Is absolutely necessary to fght?" he
asked.
NO" She shook her head decisive
". There is no reason in the world
why men should fight one another"
But suppOsing a tramp or some
rough character should meet me on a
country road and demand my money.
Wouldn't it be wise thing if were
in a position to protect myselfT'
you could probably get better re-
suits by being kind to him." she re-
tOrted. "YOu could ask him to tell
you how he sank so low as to be a
common thief?"
Eyes, I could" He smiled grimly.
but have a faint idea that he would
be more interested in taking my purse
than he would in answering ques-
tiOnS."
It's all in the way you do it," she
said wisely. II have yet to meet a
man couldn't handle by diplomacy"
The heavy roadster glided rhyth-
mically along the even road. Over
the rim of distant hill, glorious cOlOrs
streaked the sky, signifying the end
Of a perfect day. Tom blessed the
good fortune that had permitted him
to take Doris home in his car. The
long drive to GlenwOod was almost
over; but Doris had promised to let
him see her again-and he was salts
fed.
For time they drove along without
speaking. Gradually the sunset faded
until a single star peeped out from the
darkening sky. Tom switched on the
lights.
"Well," he said finally, 81 was heavy
weight boxing champion in college,"
He stole glance at her. Il hope that
doesn't make you like me any the
less"
Il never said that 1 liked you at
| ALL" she parried. "But l hope that
you'll forget your boxing lessons when
you're with me-"
The road slOped suddenly into
deep valley. On both sides stretched a
wood through which a noisy stream
rippled. The glaring light from the
car blazed a path for them. The way
was deserted. But suddenly, when
they were still about fifty yards from
| the bridge, a man stepped out from
the shadow of the trees to the right.
Planting himself squarely in the mid
die of the road, he held up his hand.
Stanton threw on the brakes and came
to a halt.
"What is it?' he asked.
"Get OUT
The stranger spoke harshly. He was
a large man with full beard and evil
eyes. He spoke determinedly. His
voice was menacing. Stanton refused
to permit himself to become alarmed.
''What do you want?" he asked.
"Never mind what want. You get
out of that car" The stranger reached
into his pocket and drew forth some
thing which glittered in the light from
the car.
Doris seized her cOmpaniOn's arm.
'We might just as well get out" he
said. "The man is armed"
He stepped from the car, the girl
following. Then he faced the tramp.
"XVhst next2 2" he asked
"ThrOw up your handsr'
"And if 1 refuseT
"Fll shoot you"
The stranger raised his arm threat
eningly, and again the CLINT of steel
flashed. Stanton, his eyes following
every move of the man before him,
suddenly smiled.
"ShOOt!" he said.
"Oh, dOn't!" Doris turned fear-flled
eyes to her companion.
Stanton spoke without taking his
eyes from the man.
"DO you mind stepping aside for a
moment, Miss AtkinsOn?" he asked. 81
can take care of this fellow easily"
He spoke confidently, and the girl,
sensing his confidence, stepped to the
side of the car.
"Put your hands up, tell you" The
tramp advanced threateningly.
Then something happened. A hard
fist struck his hand and knocked il
upward; something which felt like q
club slammed into his face. With q
groan the wOuld-be robber sank to the
ground.
Stanton turned to the girl.
"He'n be all right in few minutes
he announced. "Supposing we drive
on before he wakes up"
In another moment they were gliding
serenely down the road. The lights Of
Glenwood cleaned in the near dis
tance. Stanton slowed down the cal
perceptibly; he was lOath to complete
the trip. Suddenly he glanced at the
girl, an amused light In his eyes.
"Do you still believe In peace at any
price?" he asked.