The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1919-08-21
Her Choice
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper Union.)
By GEORGE E. COBB

Because he was getting past his
prime and worried good deal about
the future of his daughter, Reuben
Cole decided that he had solved a
troublesome enigma. His health was
not of the best, Beulah was mOtherless
and he hoped there would be some
way of settling her in life while he
was alive.
She had never seemed to care par
ticularly for company of the other sex.
OF course there was Barry Lane,
handsome, ambitious young fellow
whom Mr.. Cole really liked. But Barry
had gone to France to fight the battle
for freedom, and while her father
knew that Beulah correspondent with
him he did not consider that there was
more than casual friendship between
them.
Mr.. Cole had an old bachelor friend
who lived in the city fifty miles dis
tant. This was Arson Brooks. Twice
when he had visited Upton he had
taken a great fancy to Beulah. Indeed,
he had spoken of this to Mr.. Cole and
had intimated that in the near future
he would be pleased to pay his ad-
dresses to her.
"YOu remember my friend, MIR.
Brooks?" he asked. ..'
Eyes, papa" replied Beulah, "a dull
but cOnceited person who did not i'm
press me very favorably."
''You must not say that" objected
her father. 'Mr. Brooks is a man of
some substance, he has twice filled
public office and as you have perhaps
heard, was one of a committee that
went to Paris to look over the Red
Cross situation"
81 read about that in the papers,
said Beulah, land 1 didn't see that
there was much excuse for his being
with the committee, except to make
himself conspicuous"
you are prejudiced, my dear" ad-
judged Mr.. Cole. "At all events, he
has written me that he is coming to
Upton for a few days and intimates
that, besides wishing to celebrate his
doing his bit for the government, he
is anxious to see YOU"
Beulah looked uncomfortable. II
hope" she said, that he has not got
the idea that 1 am looking out for
husband"
Il think he is very much interested
In you, and 1 hope you will treat him
with consideration"
BeuIah said nothing. She was dis
trait and upset the day that her aged,
admirer arrived at their home. Beu-
lah had read vast self-approbation in
the boasts of Brooks as to his public
duties well done, and she felt certain
that the mention of his services"
abroad in the city newspapers we've
puffs.
Arson Brooks threw out his chest
and strutted pompously about when a
reporter on the local newspaper called
at the house. GrandilOquently he
dwelt upon his impressions of the war.
To hear him talk one would have con-
sidered that the destiny of half
dozen nations was affected by his junk
citing tour abroad.
Beulah was relieved when with eve
ming their distinguished guest left to
meet some of his friends at banquet
at the town hotel. After he had gone,
her father again pressed the suit Of
the man he had selected as safe and
indulgent husband for her. Beulah
said little. She looked troubled and
showed it, and her father left her with
The SOliloouy:
"She has a good home and loves it,
and hates TO think of a change. but I
am thinking of her permanent good"
Be0lah, left to herself, choked down
a mysterious sob. Then she laughed.
Her emotions ran vivid gamut, end.
ting in the declaration:
"Well, the truth has got to come at
last, ! suppose. Papa will storm and
scold, but he will soon get over it. No
one can long be at odds with Barry
dear, handsome, loving Barry Lane!''
She gave utterance to another laugh
as she took Up the local newspaper