The Lamar register., 1917-06-20
REAL DIPLOMACY
BY A. M. BROWN.

myself to propose to Millicent.
was pretty sure she would accept
me If could but screw up my courage
to the sticking point.
Two or three times, indeed. l had
very nearly taken the plunge. One aft
ernoon Mlllicent and grew confiden-
tial over the tea table, and my lips
We're actually framing the fatal ques-
tlon, when l shot the muffin dish into
her lap.
A brilliant strategist would have risen
TO the occasion with remark wittily
appropriate and complimentary. Mil
licent would have blushingly said that
it did not matter, and the inevitable
tableau would have resulted. As 1t
was, seeing the havoc caused by the
melting butter on her new silver-gray
gown, l seized my hat and fed
Again, one Sunday evening on the
river, let the oars trail In the water
us we drifted under the bank. mil
licent," l began, hoarsely, leaning for
ward. "Will you" A cough interrupt
ed me, and found two elderly dowa-
gers on the towing path eyeing me with
stern disapproval l concluded lamely:
e 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, invaded Regent street.
II want an engagement ring" 1 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 friend of mine," l added
loudly.
Yes, sir, quite understand. What
stone does the lady prefer. sir7"
"My friend didn't say" 1 told him.
The shop door swung open again. /
turned round and found myself face to
face with Mllllcent
"Funcy meeting you hereT 1 STAN
mered.
Fancy meeting you'll" she replied.
"Um-er-yes. hal hal Isn't It
funny? The fact isl dropped my
voice to confidential whisper-'T 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 glrlT'
Don't you know2"
81 can guess"
"You mustn't" / said. Tommy
wants 1t to be dead secret"
"What is the size Of the lady's finger,
sir7" asked the shopman, returning
with tray Of rings.
81 don't know" said, glanclng at
Milllcent's gloved hand.
'If it's Ella Burnaby." said MIllicent
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 your
Millicent nodded.
"Tll take it." said. 'and chance It
being the right size"
THANK you, sir"
II want solid silver cigarette case"
said Millicent to another salesman.
you see, Ella Burnaby asked me to
buy this for her, as she's rather Il shy
girl, you know. l think 1t Is for
Christmas present"
"Can I help your 1 said. 81 am a
bit of connoisseur on cigarette cases.
Is the fellow Tommy Hasler?
nuSln TELL shlu ldlllltthl.
because II 1t is, Tommy does not
smoke"
"Oh !" she exclaimed blankly.
ELLA must be playing double
game" insinuated.
81 am sure she Isn't. Yes, that one
will do"
you'll have the initials engraved on
the case, ma'amT asked the salesman.
"Yes," said Mlllicent.
''T. L. H." told him.
"Yes, SIR"
NO" broke in Millicent quickly,
"these are the initials" She scribbled
something on a card and pushed 1t
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" 1 wrote something on an
other card.
as that rightT" 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-I hope
you'll like your cigarette case"