Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-09-29
A Bold Suitor
BY KATE ELDRIDCE
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.


of water called Thunder lake. and in
little town at one end. called Thunder.
there is Thunder hotel. There is
Also In this modest city with so terri
BILE name a kursall (casino,. where an
orchestra discourses IN the afternoon.
to which people listen and drink beer.
One afternoon Herr Streilitz. bis
wife and daughter Lena. the last
named aged twenty. were seated at
table in the kursall. Papa Streilitz
smoking his pipe Mamma Streiliz
munchIng crackers aud Swiss cheese,
while Lena Streilitz was slipping an Ice
with spoon.
At another table sat young gentle
man tapping his boot with cane,
while on the table beside him was q
half emptied glass OF Munich beer. He
was looking at Fraulein Lena very
hard. and Lena was conscious that she
had excited the young mans attention
Presently he arose. went TO the table
where the Streilitzes sat. made pro-
found bow with his hat under his arm
and addressed Herr StreilitZ:
Herr, | dare say that I shall sur
prise you. have confession TO
make. I have several times seen you
here with your family. l have con-
ceived a passion for the young lady
and beg your permission to pay my ad-
dresses to her. | am aware that such
a request may seem remarkable. but I
am ready to convince you that bear
IA good reputation. that l am Of an e1-
cellent family and abuhdantly able to
support a wife. Here Is my card"
He produced a pasteboard on which
was engraved the name. "Alphonse de
Ia Tour, Dion. France"
Herr Streilitz pulled. fumed and
scowied. Frau Streilitz looked non
committal. while Fraulein Lena looked
very much pleased. The father was
about to make an angry reply when
the mother forestalled him by saying:
Believe me. sir. we are not at all
offended that you should have given
way TO a natural impulse. We shall
at least accord what is due you by per-
hitting you to produce your creden-
tails"
THAT is all l ask. madame. 1 may
have TO put you 10 some trouble. for
a De Ia Tour could not ask any one to
vouch for him Besides it would be
easy for an imposter TO furnish fraud
ulent credentials Nothing viii salts
fly me but your going to my home In
Dion. visiting my ancestral estate.
making the acquaintance of my parents.
by brothers and sisters. and thus sat
isfying yourselves that i am what I
pretend TO be-"
THAT would be incontestable proof"
said tie lady. viii you join our par
ty. NJ. de la Tour"
The young man sat down. Papa
Streilitz maintained a stubborn silence
Lena. of course. could say not word.
while Frau StreiltZ took the burden
of entertaining the stranger upon her
own shoulders. The four sat togeth-
er for an hour. at the end of which
time NJ. de la Tour received an invita-
ton to call.
A few days later Frau and Frau
lein Streilitz. took the train for Dion.
At the railway station NJ. de la Tour
came up to them. bearing bouquet
of sowers. which. with. look OF in
tense devotion. be handed to Lena.
LIT is for you" he said. ito satisfy
yourselves. Here are your tickets
first class. including a return"
Frau Streilitz accepted the tickets
without a qualm. while Lena blushed
and exclaimed:
r..Ob. mammal =. - 2
NJ. de la Tour gave the young lady
a glance of mingled reproof and ten /,
derness. His last word, were TO her:
II beg you to give the flowers TO my
dear mother. who. with others of our
family. will meet you at the station"
The Journey was not interrupted ex-
cept for half an hour on the border be-
tween Switzerland and France. where
the train stopped for the custom ex-
amipations. The fraulein opened 20
them her belongings and permitted an
inspector TO get Whit of the per-
fume of her flowers When the ordeal
was over the train went o.
At Dion a young man on the watcn
for them announced himself as CASTOR
de Ia Tour and introduced white
haired lady rs his mother. Lena at
once handed her the bouquet.
This way to the carriage said NJ
Castor. and the frau and the fraulein
were hurried out OF the station. put
IN a cab and driven away
That was the last they ever saw Of
any Of the De Ia Tours. Tbey returned
the next day TO the uhsympathetc bus
band and father.
Well said Papa Streilitz. what
did you discover
Lena pct her handkerchief TO her
eres. and her mother made no reply
Her brovr vroe very dark After awhile