The Coolidge examiner., 1933-05-26
The Distinguished
Guest
By JANE OSBORN
G. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNI Service

II
him that have had engine
trouble, but that will be at the hO-
tel in half hour. Tell him that he
may save time if he is waiting out.
side. Then won't have to stop to
lock the car and get out and search
for him. This is Miss Mathers
speaking. Mr.. Brown will under
stand"
Dorothy Mathers was telephOning
from the garage in d little village
halfway between MardOn college
and the bustling city of New Kent.
She had still twenty miles to go.
But with level road and little traffic
she hoped to bet her distinguished
passenger back to college in time
for the lecture which was slated to
begin at half-past three. Ridley
Brown was a renowned philosopher
who had been engaged to lecture at
Mardon college on the impressions
of America, and Dorothy Mathers
was the niece of the college presi-
dent who had been sent by her uncle
to fetch the distinguished savant
from the hotel at New Kent.
Dorothy arrived before the i'm
preSsive entrance of the hotel In
New Kent exactly at the expiration
of the half hour. A young man with
smart suitcase beckoned as she
opened the door of the sedan.
I'm put my case In there" said
the young man. But if | may I'll
sit in front with you"
by all MEANS" agreed Dorothy.
I'm Dorothy Mathers. Doctor Math-
ers' niece. How do you do, Mr..
Brown? She took hand from the
wheel long enough for quick hand
idly as she dared. Once in the
clearer stretches of the country
headed toward Marden-Dorothy
told Mr.. Brown that she hoped he
had not been waiting long. Indeed
not. he said In fact he had just
arrived.
But the jamboree comes off at
half-past three" said Dorothy.
"Half-past three?" questioned Mr..
Brown. why, | thought it was
after dinner-eight or half-past. I've
got evening clothes. can't go
through with it in the things l have
on
I'D like to know why not?" as
sured Dorothy. and then they drove
on in silence.
II had no idea you would be like
this" was the next remark from the
distinguished guest.
Dorothy glggled. II didn't know
you had ever heard of me-"
"How could have helped it1"
said Mr.. Brown. and Dorothy felt
that he was becoming rather alb
surd.
For awhile they said nothing.
Somehow 1t seemed as If they
talked at cross purposes. Then Mr.
Brown asked whether they would
go right to the church. and Dorothy
said they would go right to the
chapel, If that was what he meant.
And as they drew nearer to the
college chapel where the lecture was
to be held Mr.. Brown grew more
and more perplexed. Dorothy led
him into the small room behind the
platform. A distraught looking COLI
lege president met them there. And
seeing DorOthy's companion he
looked more distraught than ever.
But word just came that Mr..
Brown couldn't be here" he said.
And the chapel is packed now. Mr..
Browns mother-in-law has passed
away"
My mother-in-law-passed away"
stammered the Mr.. Brown pres
ent. and then somehow explanations
followed. The Mr.. Brown present
b: come from the East to be best
man for a friend. He had been told
that the girl who was to be maid
of honor-whOse name he had for
gOtten-wOuld meet him at the no
tel and drive him out to BrOOkdale.
But what shall we dO?" the dis
tracted president asked. THE stu
dents are waiting for lecture. Ii
we had known before we might have
got substitute. But it is so late"
~ made speech last week" sug
rested Donald Brown. Il had an
engineering job in Africa-had a
chance to do some big game Shoot
ing-a few thrilling experiences"
The professor looked little dubi
Gus. but saw no way out of the diff
Guilty but TO accept the young
mans offer.
No speaker who had ever been
heard IN the college chapel held and
thrilled and inspired his audience so
completely as did Donald Brown
that afternoon. Students and pro
fessors crowded around him after
wards cOngratulating him and ask
ing him for further details of his
adventures.
Then at last when the crowd had
left he turned to Dorothy. Now
I'll Try to get TO BrOOkdale for the
wedding"