The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1933-11-10
The Distinguished
Guest
By JANE OSBORN
@. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.
WNU Service

save time IL he is waiting outside
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 understand"
Dorothy Mathers was telephoning
from the garage in little village half
way between Mardon college and the
bustling city OF New Kent. She had
still twenty miles to 60. But with lev
ell road and little traffic she hoped to
get 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 phi
losopher who had been engaged to lec-
ture at Mardon college on the impress
sions OF America, and Dorothy Math-
ers was the niece Of the college pres
ident who had been sent by her uncle
to fetch the distinguished savant from
the hotel at New Kent.
Dorothy arrived before the impress
sive entrance Of the hotel in New Kent
exactly at the expiration of the half
hour. A young man with smart suit
case beckoned as she opened the door
Of the sedan.
''I'n 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 a quick hand
shake and then started off as rapidly
as she dared Once in the clearer
stretches of the country--headed to-
ward Marden-Dorothy told Mr. Brown
that she hoped he had not been wait
ing 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. rv. got
evening clothes. l can't 60 through
with 1t In the things have on"
I'D like to know why noti" assured
Dorothy, and then they drove on In
silence.
Il had no idea you would b.. like
this" was the next remark from the
distinguished guest.
Dorothy giggled. Il didn't know
you had ever heard of me-"
How could / have helped itT' said
Mr.. Brown, and Dorothy felt that he
,he
For awhile they said nothing. Some
how 1t seemed as II they talked at
cross purposes. Then Mr.. Brown asked
whether they would 60 right to the
church, and Dorothy said they would
60 right to the chapel, IL that was what
he meant
And as they drew nearer to the col
lege 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 much distraught looking College
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 present,
and then somehow explanations fol-
lowed. The Mr. Brown present had
come from the East to be best mao for
friend. He had been told that the
girl who was to be maid Of honor
whose name he had forgotten-would
meet him at the hotel and drive him
out to Brookdale, where the bride
lived
But what shall we do?" the distract
ed president asked. THE students are
waiting for lecture. If we had known
before we might have got substitute.
But 1t Is so Late
Il made speech last week." sue gest-
ed Donald Brown. II had an engi-
neering job in Africa-had chance
to do some big game shootlng-a few
thrilling experiences"
The professor looked little dubious
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 complete
ly as did Donald Brown that afternoon.
Students and professors crowded
around him afterwards congratulating
him and asking him for further details
of his adventures. 1t was generally
understood that he was an old friend
Of the presidents clever little niece,
and had come to fill the gap at the
last minute. An during all his con-
gratulations Dorothy stood by his side.
When she made stir to move he held
her back.
Then at last when the crowd had
left, he turned to Dorothy. Now I'll
try to get to Br0okdale for the we'd
ding"
Come along" said Dorothy and led
the way to her car-leaving the dis
mayed president gaping with surprise
as they sped down the campus street
on their way.
1T has been a glorious drive" Don
aid told her just before they reached
Brookdale. Maybe we'll be on our
way to our own wedding some day"
SILLY said Dorothy. people don't
drive together to their own weddings
Not unless they elope."
"Then let's elope," said Donald
And sure enough--two weeks later
they did.