The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-11-10
An Interview
In Which a Lover Asks For HIS Clh
By VERNON ARNOLD
Copyright. 1870. by American Press
Association.


III take her off to Europe. bury her
ANYTHING to get her away from the
puppy"
These words were spoken by Mr.
Charles Manning on receiving letter
from his daughter. aged twenty. who
was away on a visit. stating that she
had become engaged to one of the-no
not one of the finest but the finest fel
low in the world He was abundantly
able 10 support wife in good style
Every one spoke we'll of him. Indeed
she had been informed that she had
got treasure. The letter also an
nounced that the young man had gone
to the city 10 speak" to her father ana
would call uron him that evening at
their home in the suburbs fo- the pur-
nose Mr. Manning got into the 5:lO
afternoon train TO go home. being the
ONLY one of the family occupying the
house at the time. He pulled an even
ing paper from his pocket and tried to
read, but his thoughts were upon the
prospective loss of his daughter. whom
he adored A young man sat down
on the vacant seat beside him.
Fine day sir" remarked the young
man.
Yes. very" replied Mr.. Manning
shortly.
You don't remember me. Mr.. Man.
ming ! once met you at the Averys'."
Now. Mr.. Manning when he was him.
self was a very genial man. He was
getting TO that age when he didn't
remember people and names as we'll as
he had. and it troubled him. He looked
up at the young man and said.
Yes do. perfectly How do you
do? haven't met you for some
time
How are Mrs Manning and Miss
Katherine:"
Very well. very we'll indeed. They
are away just now. and am alone in
that deuced big house"
Il expect to be alone myself this
evening ! wish you would help me
through it by dining with me-"
Il: oh. no. couldn't do that
have an engagement But you might
dine with me- | shall not have to
spend more than half an hour with
the other one"
you're very kind I'll dine with
you with pleasure"
Dreading the interview in which he
was expected to give away his own
dear little Kit. whom he had loved.
honored and obeyed since childhood.
Mr. Manning was pleased that he
would have an excuse to cut the in
terview short. Before reac hing their
station he had told Of his daughter S
engagement-he couldn't keep from
speaking Of a subject that absorbed
him-and informed his unknown &C.
Quaintance that he had no doubt the
man she was to marry would prove
especially displeasing to him.
At dinner the young man was SYM
pathetic and said he didn't really see
how a father could bear to part with
his child. especially so lovely a girl as
Katherine This touched the old mans
heart. and it went right straight out
to the young one. A bottle of wine at
dinner cheered the father bit. and he
felt so nue. better for ii that he told
the butler to bring another The
young man-Mr Manning tried indi-
rectly to find out his name. but failed
did everything in his power 10 cheer
his host. avowing that if any man
asked for his daughter he would kick
him out Of the house.
BY the time the second bottle had
been finished the old gentleman had
hn
looked at the clock. Half past 81
he exclaimed. and the chump hasn't
turned up yet. | only hope he's been
killed on the way
But think how hard that would be
on Miss kittie.'
An hour passed. and the expected
party had not arrived.
William called Mr. Manning. lock
the front door and if any one calls say
I've gone TO bed
That's a capital PLAN" suggested
the guest. If YOU could keep him out
long enough you might get rid of him
forever. Now that he can't get in to-
night TO interrupt me, I'll tell you a
secret. I've long loved your daughter
myself"
You don't mean it."
Il do, and that she should marry
any one else would kill me. That's the
reason | sympathize so heartily with
you"
81 wish I'd known it: / might have
helped you along"
LAS to the man she is to marry. I
assure you he's unworthy Of her."
Are you sure Of it?'
Perfectly"
'Oh. good gracious. what shall do?"
Help me to beat him It's long been
tie between u.s."
How"
Give me letter to her stating that
if she must marry any one you will
only consent that she marry me. She
thinks more of you than any lover and
you can easily turn the scale"
by Jove. I'll do it,"
Half an hour later the young man
left with a letter to Miss Manning
from her father stating that the bearer
would be his choice for her husband
In due time a reply came:
Dearest Papa - I'm so glad you are
pleased with Archie. He tells me he met