Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-01-23
Unconditional
Surrender"
BY ALVAH JORDAN GARTH
Copyright 1918. Western Newspaper unIoO,

at times. He was wealthy and had
therefore all kinds OF time To devote
to helpful home "drlves"-Red Cross.
Liberty bonds and subordinate move
ments. His money was free ms water
for any of these. He was interested
In everything military and diplomatic.
and got to acquire phases of thought
and phrases of expression covering
home environments and foreign
trenches, until his whole existence
was tinctured with the events of she
hour to the exclusion of all ordinary
topics or forms of speech.
He had lovely daughter, Dorothy.
and all she thought of was love. The
second time she and Bruce Dawson
met each knew that they had been
waiting for one another through the
years. Bruce had spoken his full mind
at last.
"Of course you must see papa" flut-
tered Dorothy, "and oh | fear the
ordeal. He is so full of the war that
1t is all he thinks of nowadays He
has introduced system of discipline
in the house almost military. He has
all the men servants in regular train
ing. So when you tell him that-that
we are very fond of one another, don't
get flustered If he puts you through
sort of court-martial"
THAT won't frighten me, dear"
laughed Bruce lightly. you must re-
member that in my position in the
government auditing corps l am only
half a civilian"
David Brill bent his eyebrows In
mis- usual stern, impressive manner as
Bruce entered his presence. In sensi-
Die and concise words the young man
stated his case
Every we'll" observed the magnate.
81 have eyes and have not been blind
to the fact that YOU have been court
ing Dorothy. When it comes to mar
riage that is more serious. We win
first of all undertake an armistice,'
IAN armistice?" repeated Bruce in
profound hewilderment.
Precisely guarantees
Bruce stared hard. Dorothy had not
exaggerated the prediction Of her
father for military terms.
you mean2" ventured Bruce.
"Just what I say. For two weeks
you will pledge yourself to remain
away from Dorothy until | look you
up. Surely You cannot object to my
wishing to know all can regarding a
prospective Son-in-law?"
"Of course not Let me give you
some reference"
NO. I had rather choose my own
way Young man." and the old tyro
fixed n searching eye on Bruce, when
] make my investigation I may have
TO present you with one alternative
unconditional surrender"
again, please" intimated Bruce,
''you mean"
"Club life. cards, wild companions,
extravaganza = all must be aban-
doned."
~ cannot plead guilty" smiled
Bruce, but, for Dorothy's sake. Why,
] would give up life itself"
The two weeks had passed the
"armstice" was voided so Ear as stipu-
lated time was the essential. Only
the unconditional surrender" feature
remained. and that did not in any
way disturb Bruce. His life had been
an open book and he was glad and
proud Of It,
AS Bruce neared the Brill home he
caught sight of familiar feminine at
tire at garden pavilion. That dainty
waist and scarf he would know any
where. He skirted the shrubbory,
bent upon giving Dorothy surprise
At the pavilion entrance, however, he
halted blankly. Doro.hy's dear golden
head was bent within her arms upon
a little table ana she was sobbing as
though her heart would break.
Upon the table lay sheet of paper,
and after a gasp and a gulp Dorothy
would push it away from her with a
shudder. as though its contact were
poison. Bruce silently approached.
Somehow he connected that sheet OF
paper with the inexplcable distress
of his beloved one. He could not help
but glance at it.
Report on Bruce Dawson" il read,
but the address given was not his
evn. Then followed a list Of wine
suppers. gambling bouts, a divorce, an
arrest. Bruce glared, his choler ris-
ing fast. Then his face broke into a
sudden smile He almost chuckled.
Dorothy looked UP at the sound
"Oh! how could you be $3.50
wicked. Oh! want to die. Papa says
now IL is worse than unconditional
suwcnder-exile! J"
"Aiy dear Dorothy" spoke Bruce,
"you wiz dry your tears and seek this
well intentloned, but seriously mis-
taken father of yours at once. ! don't
know to whom he intrusted his inves-
tfcatlon. but there are two Bruce Daw-
sons I'm the city. as it happens, and his
special service sleuth has followed up
the wrong one
ooh. I knew you could not be So
so wicked" cried Dorothy, rushing for
the house. I'm tell papa right away
On. you poor dear, prosecuted mar
tyr! Papa ought TO be-cashiered J
Dorothy vanished. Then few min.