Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-06-18
An Important
Occasion
By JOHN

OA CAO
Redwood. He dawdled with her
through galleries in Dresden and MI
mich. climbed mountains In Switzer-
land and parted with her in Paris. he
being obliged to return to his native
land early In September.
The result of this sightseeing was
ak engagement, and 1t was agreed that
Mr.. Redwood on his return to Ameri-
ca should seek the acquaintance OF
the young lady's father and make a
formal application for her hand. She
was of course to write her father of
the acceptance of her sutton, and al
she was prone to decide things for
herself the only part Mr.. King was to
take In the matter was to go through
the formalities.
On Mr.. Redwood's arrival he wrote
Mr.. King a note. stating that he had
met his wife and daughter abroad and
with their kind permission would be
happy TO call on Mr.. King IL he would
inform him what time and place would
be agreeable. The young man was In
vited to dine with his prospective ia
ther-in-law on the following evening
at his suburban residence at East Ar
lington, a dozen miles from the city.
On the train Redwood sat next a
gentleman who, when the conductor
came along, offered a communication
ticket to East Arlington.
Pardon me-" said Redwood. 81 see
you are from East Arlington Can
you inform me what direction l shall
take to reach the residence of Edward
King?'
edward King7 Oh, yesl 1 can tell
you where he lives. / go right by his
house. I'll show you the way with
pleasure"
The gentleman-Barbour was 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
MI. Barbour of his daughters engage
ment the latter was not long In diyin-
ing the young mans errand.
as Mr.. King a-ahem-a genial man.
a man of the world?" asked Redwood.
ION the contrary, he Is very strict.
Can't tolerate tobacco; v drinks
my wines or liquors and is very at
tentive to formalities. But If you are
going to see him on a matter of Inn
portance l would advise you to beware
OF him. He has a way of finding out
about people by throwing them of
their guard. They say that before en-
ploying a man In his business he will
pretend to be a roisterer to him, and
If there is anything wild about the fell
lsw II wti1l 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 Mr.. 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 box of cigarettes On a salver.
''Thank you; you needn't leave that"
said Redwood, looking at the liquor
and the cigarettes longingly. 81 nei-
Their drink nor smoke"
But the butler left the refreshments
on a table and departed without a
word.
Mr.. King came down and received
his visitor cordially. Naturally know
ing the object Of the call, he was a tri-
fe disconnected.
II see you have not drunk your cock
TAIL" he said. do so. and l will join
Nar1 IN orn%1an ncoa.- hu;Ac ~ A.,0 4aoIx
tails"
Redwood protested that he never
drank wines or liquors-they didn't
agree with him-and, as for smoking.
he regarded 1t a filthy habit. Mr.. King
looked at him with an expression of
disapprobation. 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 1t. OF course
MI. 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
over 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. 1t was hard
for the young man to resist the temp
tat1on, 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
bell. and the gentleman Redwood had
met Oh the train entered. Mr.. Kings
expression changed.
Hello. Jimr" be exclaimed. You're
Just in time to prevent my drinking
alone Ginnie's health upon her en-.