The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-10-16
An important
Occasion
By JOHN TURNLEE

Redwood. He dawdled with her
through galleries in Dresden and Mn.
Mich, climbed mountains in SwitZer
land and parted with her in Paris. hr
being obliged to return to his nativ>
land early in September.
The result Of this sightseeing was
an engagement. and it was agreed THAI
Mr.. Redwood on his return to Amer:-
ca should seek the acquaintance Of
the young lady's father and make Il
formal application for her hand. She
was of curse to write her father OF
the acceptance OF her sutton. and as
she was prone to decide things Toy
herself the only part Mr.. King was to
take in the matter was to go through.
the formalitics.
On Mr.. Redwood's arrival he wro.
Mr.. King Il note. stating that he had
met his wife and daughter abroad and
with their kind permission would he
happy to call on Mr.. King If he would
inform him what time and place would
he agreeable. The young man was in
vited to dine with his prospective ia.
ther-in-law on the following evening
ut his suburban residence at East Ar.
Iington, a dozen miles from the city.
On the train Redwood sat next 81
gentleman who. when the conductor
came along. offered Il communication
ticket to East Arlington.
pardon me- said Redwood. II see
you are from East Arlington. Can,
you inform me what direction I shat:
take to reach the residence Of Edward
Kingy"
Edward King? Oh, yes! | can tell
you where he lives. l go right by his
house. Ill show you the way with
pleasure"
The gentleman-Barbour vas his
name-proved quite genial, and before
their journey was ended Redwood had
told him that he had met the Kings
in Europe, and since King had told
Mr.. Barbour Of his daughters engage
mcnt the latter was not long in divin-
ing the Souny mans errand.
lis Mr.. King a-ahem-a genial man.
Il man Of the world?" asked Redwood.
ION the contrary. he is very strict.
Can't tolerate tobacco; never drinks
any wines or liquors and Is very at
tentive to formalities. But If you are
going to see him On a matter Of i'm
portance l would advise you to beware
OF him. He has a way. of finding out
about people 10y throwing them off
their guard. They say that before en-
ploying Il man in his business he will
pretend to he a roisterer to him. and
if there is anything wild about the fell
low 1t will show ITSELF"
"Thank you very much for the in
formation said Redwood. and turned
the subject.
On the arrival of the train the gen
tleman showed Redwood to the King
residence and went to his own home.
The visitor was admitted by a butler
and told that MI. King was dressing
for dinner and would be down present
ly. Then the butler disappeared and
returned in a few minutes with a cock
tail and a LUx of cigarettes ON u salver.
""Thank you: you needn't leave that"
said Redwood. looking at the liquor
and the cigarettes %longingly. II nei-
Their drink o smoke"
But the butler left the refreshments
OH IL table and departed without a
word.
MIR. King came down and received
his visitor cordially. Naturally know
ing the object of the call. he was a tri-
file disconnected.
II see you have not drunk your cock
tail" he said. do SO. and l will join
you in another. Oscar. bring two cock
tails"
Redwood protested that he never
drank wines or Iiquors-thcy didn't
agree with him-and, as for smoking.
lie regarded it a filthy habit. Mr.. King
looked ut him with an expression Of
Misrepresentation. When the butler
brought more refreshments he drank
his cocktail. apparently much disgrun-
tied at being Obliged to drink alone.
Then they went into dinner.
A bottle Of champagne was on ice
beside the hosts chair. but Redwood
declined to drink any Of it. Of course
Mr.. King could not urge his guest to
break through his accustomed habits.
During the dinner Redwood muster
ed the necessary courage to go through
the fOrmalities of asking Mr.. King for
his daughter. and the matter being
I'VE with the host regretted that his
prospective son-in-law would not join
him in a glass Of wine to the health
Of their beloved Virginia. It was hard
for the young man to resist the temp
tation. but. fearing he was being test
ed and might lose the girl he loved IL
he yielded, be stood firm.
During the awkward pause that fol-
lowed there was a ring at the door
hell. and the gentleman Redwood had
met on the train entered. Mr.. Kings
expression changed.
Hello. Jim!" he exclaimed. You're
just In time to prevent my drinking
alone Ginnie's health upon her en-
gagement. This is Mr.. Redwood. to
whom ! have just given her."
With a twinkle in his eye. Mr.. Bar.
bOur took up the glass that vas oiled
for him and said:
pray excuse me. Mr.. Redwood. for