The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-04-25
REAL DIPLOMACY
BY A. Nj. BROWN.


L had never realized what a different
nature l possessed until l 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, I had
very nearly taken the plunge. One aft
ernoon AIillicent and grew confiden-
tial over the tea table, and my lips
We're actually framing the fatal Ques-
ton, when 1 shot the muffin dish into
her lap.
A brilliant strategist would have risen
to the occasion with a remark wittily
appropriate and complimentary Mil
Hcent 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, l seized my hat and fled.
Again, one Sunday evening on the
river, l let the oars trail in the water
as we drifted under the bank. Mil
icent," I began, hoarsely leaning for
ward. ''WilI you" a cough interrupt
ed me, and I found two elderly doWa-
gers on the towing path cycling me with
stern disapproyal 1 concluded lamely:
6 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, 1 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.
eyes, sir, 1 quite understand. What
stone does the lady prefer, sir?"
"My friend didn't say" told him.
The shop door swung open again. I
turned round and found myself face to
face with 1Iillicent.
'Fancy meeting you here!" STAN
mered.
Clancy meeting your she replied.
'Um-er-yeS, ha! ha Isn't it
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"
GLOW sweet of you Who is the girl?'
Don't you I1noW?"
81 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 shopman, returning
with a tray of rings.
81 don't know" I said, glancing at
Millicents gloved hand.
eff it's Ella Burnaby," said Millicent
softly, "she's got rather fat fingers,
and will want q large ring"
Tommy told me to be careful to get
a small ring. like this one, do you?"
Millicent nodded.
"Tll take it, I said, "and chance it
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. l think it is for a
Christmas present"
"Can I help your" I said. 81 am a
bit of a connoisseur on cigarette cases.
Is the fellow Tommy Hasler?"
81 mustn't tell" said Millicent.
because if it is, Tommy does not
smoke
"Oh ~ she exclaimed blankly.
CELIA must be playing a double
game" 1 insinuated.
81 am sure she isn't. Yes, that one
will do"
you'll have the initials engraved on
the case, ma'am?" asked the salesman.
YES said 1Iillicent.
'''T. L. H." told him.
eyes, sir"
mo" broke in Millicent quickly,
''these are the initials" She scrubbed
something on a card and pushed it
across the counter without letting me
see. "Of course, the initials must be
engraved on Tommy's ring. They
are"
'They are not" said quickly. "Here
they are.'' I wrote something on an
other card.
'Ts that right?" I asked recklessly,
and handed the card to Millicent.
81 think SO" she said, after pause;
dropping her eyes and handing the
card to the salesman. "And- hope
you'll like your cigarette case"
INOUEST ADJOURNED.