The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1904-12-07

cOmpllSu uer errduu anu YET uoI oeiSlAN
fee her pride-how she could conciliate
The0 vincentJ and yet give the girl to
understand it was an honor she had
come to offer.
She ordered her carriage and dressed
in a most elaborate toilet, was driven
to Mrs. Van Ranseller's, where, sur
rounded By ali the luEuries Of wealth
and refinement, Theo Vincent had been
made not only confidential friend, but
a beloved daughter and choice compan-
ton
AS Mrs: van ReHsellers friend So
ciety had opened its most Exclusive
doors, and Theo had found herself Ct
favorlte IN pleasant social circles,
Where her personal attractiv6ness, her
sweet winsomeneSs, her refined intellf-
gence, held the position given her.
And Harold Sylvester had renewed
his acquaintance with his mothers
discharged govef1iess; and
This was the result--Mrs; Sylvester
waiting In Mrs. Van Rensellers parlor
for Thee Vincent to come, with whom
she was to plead III her sons behalf.
1t seemed like some impossible bur:
lesoue as she waited. and there was
sharp struggle within her between pride
and love for her son-that idol and dar-
ling who never had been denied, and
who ruled her with a rod of iron. She
htLmbied herself for his sake' only,
solely for his sake.
And then Theo Vincent came in,
vision Of elegance and loneliness ana
sweetness, in her soft, white dress.
She greeted Mrs. Sylvester in cour-
te8uS Way and then waited inquiringly
and perhaps just a trife Raughttly'
And Mrs. Sylvester rushed at once
into her Grand
"No doubt you will be quite surprised
to receive 1 message of which am
bearer; because usually such messages
are delivered personally, Miss Vincent:
But as 1 am willing to remove any obr
stacles from the way to my sons hap
piness l determined that in no better
way could the Accomplishment of his
wishes be decided than by my coming
in a perfectly friendly way to you"
She certainly had not sacrificed her
dignity, and certainly had spoken very
well.
And Theo, her. face expressive of sur
prise listened, then replied!
Il think 1 do not at all understand
you, Mrs. Sylvester. You have evident
ly undertaken Some commission for
your son, but what, might I inquirer"
This from the girl she had disgraced!
But she put the curb on herself and
went blandly on for her sons sake.
'Your delicacy certainly does you
credit 1 cannot express how delight
fully charming l find it, my dear Miss
Vincent Yes, am commissioned by
my son to make you an offer of his
hand, his name, his position, his affec-
tons. And, Miss Vincent, if you will
eharitably permit me; ! cordially ina
dorse whatever will conduce to Hars
olds happiness"
And for the first time in her life Mrs.
Sylvester realized that she had eaten
humble pie.
A curious look swept over Theo's
face
"Will you tell Mr.. Sylvester, for me,
please, that in the society in which
move it is not customary for gentle
men to do their proposals of marriage
by proxy. Will you also be kind
enough to tell him that under any cir
cumstaneeS l could not possibly cone
slider his offer? And will you inform
him that l have been engaged to DR..
Clyde Pennington for the past three
months? And, as Mrs Van Rensellers
carriage is waiting, and 1 have an en-
gagement at half-past 8 o'clock, be so
good as to excuse me, Mrs. Sylvester"
And 50 The0's turn came, and like a
young duchess. she bowed to the wom-
an who had, all unconsciously, been her
fate. While Mrs. Sylvester went back
to her son.
But as. a year afterward, Mrs. DR..
Pennington, sitting in her luxurious
parlor on Fifth avenue, read aloud to
Aunt Ibby the notice of Harold Sylves-
ters marriage, it was self-evident he
did not commit the suicide he threat
ened unless, rushing into marriage
with a pretty girl after months ac-
quaintance be considered as such.-Sat-
urday Night.
The Sense of Smell in the Horse.