Palisadian., 1923-03-23

"But what / wanted to say" Mary
rose and, laying a strong hand on her
arm, seemed to lead her to the door of
his study--the door that led to a small
veranda, with steps descending to a
little path that led out through the
shrubbery to the kennels that were
John Nashs hobby.
Here Mary Fuller seemed to forget
her embarrassment. She proved to
be a young woman Of rare diScr1mIna-
tion as far as dogs were concerned,
and John Nash came to the conclusion
that the editor of the Star had un-
doubtedly chosen her to come for this
interview because she could talk dog
so well. What she seemed to lack in
knowledge concerning his much talked
about plays she made up for in appre-
citation of his collies, and after all
such appreciation was worth more to
John Nash than the other sort. He
always felt species Of embarrass-
ment when talking Of his WORK, and
he was grateful to this pretty young
woman for her apparent indifference.
They drifted back toward the house
about one, and when Mary Fuller saw
that the dignified housekeeper was to
be at the table, she decided to stay,
as John Nash insisted. During lunch
con Mary seemed to forget entirely
Johns deafness. Perhaps this was
because they talked of dogs and the
great outdoors, and John paid strict
heed to what she said, because she
had something worth while to say, ana
paying heed, he understood. AT a few
minutes before two, John regarded his
watch regretfully.
"Pm sorry, l can't tell you how
sorry am" he said, "to hurry you,
but you'll just have time to make your
train comfortably If you start in five
minutes. My man will motor you
down to the station, unless you'll let
me do it myself" he added.
Then on the way to the station he
asked: "Have l given you at all what
you wanted? I've talked so at ran
dom-but I hope you've got what you
came after"
Mary Fuller laughed. II didn't eX-
actly make myself clear" she said.
"but I've had a wonderful time. It's
been a thrilling eXperience-and per-
haps I'll write to you in day or SO
to tell you what l came to find out"
And without further explanation Mary
Fuller had sped from John Nash's
roadster and had boarded the train
at the station.
Two days later John Nash got
letter on expensive but severely simple
note paper bearing an address in
fashionable neighborhood. 1t was
signed Mary Fuller. II came out to
see you the other day to try to get
you interested in dog show we were
getting up for the benefit Of the day
nursery-my favorite charity.
wanted to get a subscription and
promise to show some of your collies.
l didn't expect to see you, because I'd
heard you were the most difficult
person In the country to see. But
had very interesting time and l am
sure you won't refuse now to help us
out with our little dog show. Won't
you let me know whether you'll con-
sent to help?"
In the same mail came letter from
the editor of the Star. 1t was brief
and stated the fact that Miss Lulu
Metz, feature writer for the Star, had
come out as arranged two days be-
fore to get an interview, but had been
turned away at the door with the
brief announcement that "Mr. Nash
was engaged"
To the latter letter John Nash wrote
a note of profuse apologies. but with
out very definite explanations To
the former he wrote note assuring
his entire cooperation with the dog
show scheme, or any Othen project in
which Miss Fuller wished to interest
him.
II am not quite sure that still be-
lieve in the theory of courtship aired
few days ago. There are occasions.
l am now convinced, when even mere
man is sufficiently inspired to take
over the initiative"
To this Mary Fuller wrote very
short note, saying she was glad that
Mr.. Nash had changed his mind in the
matter they had discussed. His letter
followed asking her for her reason,
and hers followed by special messen-
ger saying that her reason for being
glad of his change Of theory was be-
cause she herself would find it diff
cult to be entirely aggressive. John
Nash dropped his writing in the
middle of a paragraph and fastened
to the address given on Mary Fuller's
stationery.
II thought I knew enough to formu-
late theories ON love and courtship,"
he told Mary when he had gone
through the formalities of greeting in
the drawing room of the aristocratic
old Fuller mansion. "But 1 find
have never really known anything
about loving until now."
"If you'll forgive me for deceiving
YOU! After the first ten minutes
knew that you thought l was re-
porter, but l stayed because--well,
because l wanted to make you love
me. So perhaps your theory is right.
after ALL"