t girls, but it will
surprise you to discover how hard it is to get the young lady whom you
believe to be your fiancee to consent to a public announcement of the
fact. The reason for this probably is that an engagement which has been
"announced" often leads to matrimony, and matrimony, in polite society,
often lasts for several years. After you have secured the girl's
permission, it is next necessary that you notify her father of the
engagement. In this particular case, as he happens to be your employer,
the notification can take place in his office. First of all, however, it
would be advisable to prepare some sort of speech in advance. Aim to put
him as far as possible at his ease, lead up to the subject gradually and
tactfully. Abruptness is never "good form." The following is suggested
as a possible model. "Good morning, Mr. Doe, say, I heard a good story
from a traveling salesman last night. It seems that there was a young
married couple--(here insert a good story about a young married
couple). Wasn't that RICH? Yes, sir, marriage is a great thing--a great
institution. Every young man ought to get married, don't you think? You
do? Well, Mr. Doe, I've got a surprise for you, (here move toward the
door). I'm going to (here open the door) marry (step out of the room)
your daughter" (close the door quickly).

THE BRIDE-TO-BE

Before the public announcement of the engagement it is customary for the
bride-to-be to write personal letters to all other young men to whom
she happens to be engaged at the time. These notes should be kindly,
sympathetic and tactful. The same note can be written to all, provided
there is no chance of their comparing notes. The following is suggested:

"Dear Bob--

Bob, I want you to be the very first to know that I am engaged to
Richard Roe. I want you to like him, Bob, because he is a fine fellow
and I would rather have you like him than any one I know. I feel that
he and I shall be very happy together, and I want you to be the first to
know about it. Your friendship will always remain one of the brightest
things in my life, Bob, but, of course, I probably won't be able to go
to the Aiken dance with you now. Please don't tell anybody about it yet.
I shall never forget the happy times you and I had together, Bob, and
will you please return those silly letters of mine. I am sending you
yours."

{illustration caption = Nothing so completely betrays the "Cockney" as a
faulty knowledge of s