The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-07-12
REAL DIPLOMACY
BY A. M. BROWN.

l had never realized what a different
nature | possessed until 1 tried to bring
myself to propose to Millicent.
l was pretty sure she would accept
me If l 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 / grew condden-
tial over the tea table, and my lips
were actually framing the fatal ques-
ton, when l shot the muffin dish into
her lap.
A brilliant s~trategist would have risen
to the occasion with a remark wittily
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, 1 seized my hat and fled.
Again, one Sunday evening on the
river, / let the oars trail in the water
as we drifted under the bank. mil
l~icent," / began, hoarsely, leaning for
ward. "Will you" A cough interrupt
ed me, and l found two elderly dowa-
gers on the towing path cycling me with
stern disapproval / concluded lamely:
g. pull your left, please"
The strain at last began to wear me
thin, and | determined to resort to des-
perate measures. With this end in
view, l invaded Regent street.
II want an engagement ring" L 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," / added
loudly.
"Yes, sir, / quite understand. What
stone does the lady prefer, sir?"
my friend didn't say" l told him.
The shop door swung open again. /
turned round and found myself face to
face with Millicent.
Fancy meeting you here!" l STAN
mered.
Fancy meeting you" she replied.
"Um-er-yes, ha hal Isn't 1t
funny? The fact isl dropped my
voice to a confidential whisper-'I am
buying an engagement ring for-for
Tommy Hasler. He is ~confoundedly
shy about those things, you know"
How sweet of you. Who is the girlT'
Don't you known
81 can guess"
"You mustn't" I said. Tommy
wants 1t to be a dead secret"
"What is the size Of the lady's finger,
sirT' asked the shopman, returning
with a tray of rings.
81 don't know" l said, glancing at
Millicent's gloved hand.
eff it's Ella Burnaby," said Millieent
softly, "she's got rather fat fingers,
and will want a large ring"
Tommy told me to be careful to get
a small ring. like this one, do youT"
Millicent nodded.
"III take It." / said, "and chance 1t
being the right size"
THANK you, sir"
II want a solid silver cigarette case
said Millicent to another salesman.
"You see, Ella Burnaby asked me to
buy this for her, as she's rather a shy
girl, you know. / think it is for a
Christmas present"
"Can ! help your" / said. 81 am a
bit Of a connoisseur on cigarette cases.
Is the fellow Tommy Haslerf"
II mustn't tell" said Millicent.
because IL it is, Tommy does not
smoke"
"Oh!" she exclaimed blankly.
ELLA must be playing a double
game" l insinuated.
II am sure she isn't. Yes, that n
win do"
you'll have the initials engraved on
the case, ma'am?' asked the salesman.
"Yes," said Millicent.
"T. L. H." 1 told him.
"Yes. sir"
"No," broke in Millicent quickly,
"these are the initials" She scribbled
something on a card AID pushed ii
across the counter without letting me
see. "Of course, the initials must be
engraved on Tommy's ring. They
are"
"They are not" l said quickly. "Here
they are" / wrote something on IN
other card.
lis that right?" | asked recklessly'
and handed the card TO Millicent.
81 think So she said, after a pause;
dropping her eyes and handing the
card to the salesman. "And-l nope
you. like your cigarette case"
Quite a Difference.