The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-03-14
real. DIPLOMACY
BY A. M. BROWN.

had never realized what different
nature | possessed until tried to bring
myself to propose to Millicent.
l was pretty sure she would accept
me if | could but screw up my courage
to the sticking point.
Two or three times, indeed, / had
very nearly taken the plunge. one aft
ernoon Millicent and l grew confden-
tial over the tea table, and my lips I
We're actually framing the fatal ques-
ton, when l shot the muffin dish into
her lap.
a brilliant strategist would have risen
to the occasion with q remark wittily II
appropriate and complimentary. Mil
licent would have blushingly said that
it did not matter, and the inevitable
tableau would have resulted AS it
was, seeing the havoc caused by the
melting butter on her new silver-gray
gown, | seized my hat and fled
Again, one Sunday evening on the I
river, l let the oars trail in the water .
as we drifted under the bank Mil I
licent,' / began, hoarsely, leaning for
ward. "Will YOU" \ cough interrupt I
ed me, and l found two elderly doNa /
gers on the towing path cycling me with
| stern disapproval l concluded lamely:
g pull Your left, please"
! The strain at last began to wear me
| thin, and l determined to resort to des-
/ perate measures. With this end in
view, invaded Regent street
Il want an engagement ring" ! said,
| cursing inwardly at the fine acoustic
/ properties Of the shop. Half a dozen
people turned round to smile broadly
in my direction.
ITS for a friend of mine," 1 added
loudly.
Yes, sir, quite understand. What
stone does the lady prefer, sir?"
"My friend didn't say told him.
The shop door swung open again.
turned round and found myself face to
face with AIiIlicent
Fancy meeting You here!" 1 STAN
mercd.
Fancy meeting you!" she replied.
"Jm-er-yes, la! ha. Isn't it
| funny? The fact isl dropped my
voice to a confidential whisner-"I am
buying an engagement ring for-for
Tommy HaSler. He is confounledly
shy about those things, you know"
How sweet Of you. Who is the girl"
Don't YOU know
Il can guess
You mustn't" I said. Tommy
. wants it TO be a dead secret
what is the size of the lady's finger,
sir:' asked The sbupman, returning
with tray of rings.
y don't know" l said, glancing at
MilicentS gloved hand
IF It's Ella Burnaby," said Millicent
softly, "she's got rather fat fingers,
and VIII want large ring"
Tommy told Inc 10 be careful to get
a small ring. like this one, DO you:"
Nlillicent nodded.
'Ill take it," l said, land chance it
being the right Size"
/. Thank YOU sir"
Il want solid silver cigarette case"
, said MilHcont to another salesman.
J You see, Ella Burnaby asked me to
. buy this for her, as she's rather a shy
girl, you know. l think it is for a
Christmas present"
Can 1 help your l said 81 am a
bit of connoisseur on cigarette cases.
Is the fellow Tommy Hasler?'
q Il mustn't tell said AIiIlicent.
Because if it is, Tommy does not
smoke"
e "Oh," She exclaimed blankly.
=. ella must be playing double
game" 1 insinuatcd.
t 81 om sure She isn't. Yes, that one
viii do
e You'll have the initials engraved or
IS the case, ma'am?' asked the salesman
YES" said NiIlicent.
: ct. L. H." told him.
eyes, sir"
NO" broke in Millicent quickly
these are the initials She scribbleC
something on a card and pushed i
across the counter without letting M
see. "Of course, the initials must b,
engraved on Tommy's ring. The.
are"
"They are not" I said quickly. Her
they are" / wrote something on an
other card.
as that right?" I asked recklessly
and handed the card to Millicent.
II think so, he said. after pause
dropping her eyes and handing III
card to the salesman. "And-I hop
you'll like your cigarette case"
Cutie Difference.