The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-01-05

/ first person that she ShOnad tell SHOULD
be her old friend.
( HE has asked me to marry him,
| she said In a low voice as they sal
down.
LET me congratulate you. Mr. Hol
comb" said NJ. Vavin In the course ot
the lunch.
Congratulate me-" said HolcOmb
looking wonderingly at Dora. while
the rest Of the table stared uneasily al
Vavin.
YES" was the reply. There are
many things doubtless on which you
should be congratulated Rnt | have
been thinking over our conversation OF
last night, and am quite sure that
you are destined to he great drama-
fist"
"And this without having seen a line
Of his play" said Professor Fullerton.
'"This." answered Vavin. without
seeing line Of the first four plays
that he will write or has written"
Has written laughed Holcomb
This is my first play to be produced
far from the first one that ! wrote"
An opportunity presented itself dur
ing the luncheon for Holcomb to have
Professor FullertOn's undivided atten-
ton. and he then asked il 1t would be
possible for them to have a CONVERSE
ton alone Immediately after luncheon,
as he had decided that his business
affairs were in snch condition that it
0k~l III - ~ T. ~
York early the next morning: hence
his desire to get; the late AFTERNOON
train. Fullerton, while he had a grow
ing admiration for the young drama
fist. welcomed the idea Of his leaving.
II gave you my word. Professor Full
lerton," he said when they were alone,
that would not discuss the project
Of your daughters going on the stage
again with her. l have, however, ask
ed her to marry me, and she has con
sented."
DO you think this is entirely fair?'
1T depends upon your point of
view,' said Holcomb brusquely. ut
may not be fair to you: it may not be
fair, to her Aunt Cornelia; it is pos
'sible that it is not fair to Judge e.
lott, whose business it is to have his
advice accepted and whose profession
al pride rests on that acceptance, how
ever banefui it may be- ~,~
"You are trife radical in your
statements. Mr.. Holcomb."
81 love Miss Fullerton" was the re.
ply, land wish to see her happy"
"You mean to imply that she is not
happy here in her fathers house"
THAT should consciously harbor
such a suggestion" said Holcomb
lightly. ''is an unfiattering implication
that do not understand the duties Of
a perfect guest toward perfect host"
Then, changing bis tone, be said !;
Professor Fullerton, you do not know
me. l should like to have you under
stand my ideas. ambitions and ideals,
but the opportunity has not presented
itself. and If / have seemed to take
advantage Of the laws Of hospitality it
was only because of the great affection
l felt for your daughter"
Nevertheless l withhold my con-
sent, Mr.. Holcomb, and this may lead
me to further oppose her appearing in
your play"
~ was prepared for some such re-
ply, and. believe me, if it is necessary
that / should sacrifice my first pro-
duction / do so with the feeling that
it is simply an offering laid on the al
tar of greater happiness"
vavin and Dora had returned by this
time, and the former. met at the door
by Judge Elliott. now entered the
room
Returned for the council of war;"
said the Frenchman gayly as Fuller
ton went over and closed the door
and nervously lit fresh cigar.
"i'm afraid" began Professor Full
lerton, standing in the center of the
room. that you are more than right
when you describe this as a council
of war Mr.. Holcomb has just inform
ed me that he has asked my daughter
to marry him."
professor Fullerton" said Holcomb
calmly. apparently takes the attitude
that marriage is war"
II congratulate you, my young con-
feree." said Vavin. ION obtaining the
confidence Of so sweet and so charm
ing girl"
A glance at Professor Fullerton's
face, however, assured him that his
congratulations were not acceptable in
that direction.
'You have complicated matters very
badly, Mr.. Holcomb," said Judge FL
lott, ''and. while I am aware that all
Is fair in love and law and war,
think it would have been advisable
for you to wait until we bad settled
the first problem"
The f1attering suggestion that, having
settled the first problem" for Dora.
having decided whether this young
girl who had been made unhappy by
q splenetic old aunt should pick the
career for which she was chosen and
which would make her happy, this ag-
gregati0n of delightful and cultured
gentlemen would condescend to take
up the second problem-whether she
should marry the man she loved and
FL ~