Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 127, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1917 — Diplomacy [ARTICLE]

Diplomacy

By KARL REED SILVERS.

With Mr. Ted Baldwin it was a case 9t *T can dance with everybody but ■ay wife." He and Betty had been Married for a year and a half and in that time they had never once disagreed on a single subject—except dancing. In his bachelor days Ted had rather prided himself on his ability in the terpslchorean art, and the compliments which several maidenly hopefuls showered upon him only strengthened his belief that he could easily and happily dance his way through life. And then he had met Betty Williams. Betty cared more for playing tennis than she did for dancing, and when Ted had danced with her once or twice be too showed a decided preferonce for the freedom of the courts. Even Betty's most ardent admirers admitted that the young lady in question would never be another Mrs. Vernon Oastle. But Ted had married her just the same. “What difference does it make?” he had said to himself. “There are other things In life besides dancing.” And then, strange as it may seem, Betty Baldwin, , nee Williams, conceived a sudden desire to learn all the latest steps. Through the long winter season she dragged Ted regularly to the weekly hops at the Country club, nelng her wifely prerogative to make him dance every single number with her. Her natural bent, however, was still toward tennis. After a month or SO of endless fox trotting and waltzing the week-ends became veritable nightmares to the otherwise happy husband. He ventured a protest. "I don’t think you’ll ever be much «f a dancer, Betty,” he advised her pleasantly. “Let’s not go to the club tonight" Betty answered not a word. For a moment she gazed at her husband with wide-opened eyes; then, suddenly she dropped her head In her dimpled arms ■nd burst Into tears. Thereafter Ted bore his cross in silence. The dancing subject was taboo. When the date of the annual assembly ball rolled around, however, Ted grew well nigh desperate. A worldfamed orchestra had been engaged to provide music, and twenty-five dances had been placed upon the cards. Moreover, Mildred Chatfield, whom Ted had aot aeon for three years and who was the most wonderful dancer he had ever known, had arrived In Glenwood and had stated her Intention of attending tise bell, ghe reminded Betty’s husband not to forget to dance with her. On the evening of the dance young Mr. Ted Baldwin gazed with halfopened eyes at his wife, sitting opposite. Suddenly a plan flashed Into his mind - ■“Betty,” he said, “we’ve been married for almost two years now, haven’t we?" “Yes," she answered, “one year and eight months." «*And we’ve never had a disagreement." “Never." “What’s the reason T’ “Don’t you know?” She looked at him Inquiringly. ; ~ "I don’t think I do?* “Well, Hl tell you. It’s because your wife, whom you don’t half appreetotot has resolved to overlook all of your faults and to smile indulgently whenever you do anything wrong.” Ted’s face lighted. “Do you mean to say that whatever I do, you'll simply smile and let it passF “That’s what I have been doing for the past twenty-odd months.*’ Ted nodded. he answered seriously. “When I come to think of it you’re right," He walked around the table gnd fri—"d one of her ruddy cheeks. “But m bet you a box of candy egetnet a good cigar that I can do something that will make you angry.” “What kind of thing?” “It won’t be wrong,” he explained, «««nrt it won’t be mean; but I’ll bet you’ll be angry just the same.” “I don’t think I shall.” She held out her hand. “Shake,” she said. They shook. After his wife had adjourned to the upper regions, Ted” took a piece of paper csrefnlly from the desk In the library, wrote a single sentence ■pen it and tucked the sheet carefully in his wallet Then he smlled a smile gs Infinite content- For the first time tMt winter he looked forward with gISSMN to a dance at the Country Stab. Mr. and Mrs. Ted Baldwin arrived fit the ball In due time, paid their re■pSSto to the dignified reception comadttoA stumbled around the room M tba mynmpa nt ment of the most gloftoag gMMto they had ever heard. At the eoMinston of the first one-step, heweTsr, Ted politely excused himself Mi made Me wng to the side of Miss Mildred Chatfield. “Hollo, M«»e I" be greeted pleasantly. “How many dances are you going to giro me?* Hbe looked at him with a twinkle in bor eye. “You're a married man now," she answered, “and I don’t think. I