Smyrna times., 1926-11-10
The Resources
of Diplomacy
BY H. IRVING KING

| tIlIIluS disagreement ten years before
| and, watered and nOurished by self
will had reached its present proper
| tions
Israel had a daughter, Gladys, and
Philip had a son, Thomas; and the
young couple were so far from partak-
ing Of the paternal animosities that
they considered each other about as
nearly perfect as it is given to mOrtals
to be. Both parents got wind of the
fact and Illuminated and dogmatized
upon the subject to their degenerate
children.
Il had an awful row with dad to-
day about you," said Gladys one eve
ming to Tom when they met upon the
neutral ground of one Of Mrs. Stuyve-
sent NIulgrove's dinner dances
Having them oftener than usual
lately?" inquired Tom
"Yes, | think So" replied Gladys,
and I'm tired of them. Yet I'm aw-
fully fond Of dad, too
Il had a bit of a run-in with the
governor, myself yesterday about
you" replied Tom. THE governor is
an old trump in other respects; but
when it comes to the question Of our
getting married he's the limit. What
say, Gladys lets go off and get mar
ried anyway. Neither of our respected
parents shows any symptoms of recov-
ering from what ails them"
Gladys was silent and thoughtful
for fully two minutes-then she said:
I'VE are going to be married, of
cOurse-that is settled But it would
be so much nicer if we could do so
with the consent of our parents. Be
fore we take the step l think we
should exhaust all the resources of
diplomacy. II sounds immoral,
know, but the easiest way to rule q
man IS through his pet weaknesses.
Now you just listen to me'-and she
proceeded to formulate a plan of &c
ton
Tom" said Mr.. Scarsdale suddenly
at breakfast next morning, Il hope you
are not still dangling after the daugh-
Ter Of that old thief, Israel Wander
burg?"
Well" replied Tom slowly you
see, il IS this way Mr.. Yanderburg
has announced his intention of cast
ing Gladys off and cutting her out of
Ills will if she marries your son"
"Oh, he has, has hep" growled
Philip.
Yes, sir" said Tom. "and he is
really violent about the matter-de-
clares such an alliance would break
his heart and be disgrace to his
family. And as you are set against
the marriage also, and have threat
ened to cut me off If it takes place
why, there you are,"
Israel Vanderburg Is an old ruff
fan and always was,' said Mr.. Scars
dale, and flung away from the table.
But his sons statement of the case
kept recurring to him all that day.
He would go to almost any length to
spite old yanderburg.
Meantime Gladys was having a ses-
sion with her paternal ancestor. Il
suppose you will be hard-hearted
enough to be glad of it," said she, try
ing to squeeze a tear or two into her
bright blue eyes, but Tom and l are
up against it." First you objected and
now Mr.. Scarsdale is furious at the
idea Of his son marrying your daugh-
ter-says it would disgrace him"
Disgrace him" cried Israel; docs
that old ruffian have the cheek to talk
that way?" And Israel departed, turn
ing matters over in the gloomy and
vindictive chambers of his mind.
For ten years now the former
friends had been seeking for an op-
portunity to do each other a mischief,
and had found none. Now, at last,
was an opportunity presented.
TON" said Mr.. Scarsdale that night
at dinner, docs that Vanderburg girl
take after her father?"
'Oh. no." replied Tom; everybody
says she is her mother over again"
You 60 and marry the GIRL" cried
Mr. Scarsdale. How Israel will rave,
I'd like to hear him"
And Mr.. Vanderburg said unto
Gladys, 80 Scarsdale thinks he would
be disgraced If Tom and you got mar
ried, does her Nothing would give
me greater satisfaction. You marry
Tom just as soon as you can"
The marriage was hasty, the flight
abroad on the wedding tour immedi-
ate Philip and Israel, passing to the
street, were each surprised to see upon
the face Of the other a smirk of
malignant satisfaction. What could 1t
mean? They were shrewd men and
after profound consideration arrived
at the true solution Of the case. But
they were also proud men, unwilling
% admit that they had been outwitted
and 50 held their peace. A year later
meeting each other one morning on
the street Israel, with beaming face,
accosted his old enemy for the first
time in many years.
Its boy, Philip" said he Il have
just come from the house. Both doing
tine"