Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1933-12-13
Mary's Surprise
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By ALICE DUANE
G. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
WNU ServfCa

Harold Castles married. and II he
wasn't | wouldn't consider being
the wife of college president. So
that settles that SO far as any
social advantage that | a get by
passing around tea and microscopic
sandwiches at your friend. Mrs.
Wilson's. while she and the wife
OF the new president stand In the
front of the house and shake hands
with two hundred and more women
well, I'm sure | don't see the
point In IT,"
MARY. you don't mean half you
say" said her mother. "Of course,
1t Is something of an honor to be
asked to assist at the tea. Only
seven other girls hav been asked
but, anyway. even II there weren't
any 'nourishment' In going to the
reception do you have In
mind for this afternoon that would
be 'nourishIng, as you call it?"
Mary raised her pretty eyebrows
Il haven't decided what to do" she
said. Maybe I'll start west to
seek my fortune"
And so II happened that on the
day when all the women who were
considered OF any social Importance
around Blissville-the seat of Tome
college-were attending the recep-
tion given In honor Of the new hos.
tess of the presidents house, Mary
Vernon. daughter of one of the
leading trustees of the college, was
driving her car toward the lake
shore In a direction where there
was little automobile traffic during
the week days.
She had been speeding along for
about fifteen minutes when she no
tlced a none-to0-gOod-looking car
drawn up at the side OF the road
and a little later a tall, well.built
mar peering into the opened hood
of the cars engine. Mary stopped
her car and offered whatever assist
ance she could provide.
The man smiled and explained
that he didn't have the least idea
as to what was wrong. But the
way 1t jumped had annoyed him
and he knew something was rad
lcally wrong with the old bus.
After Tightening a couple of bolts
and readjusting a wire connection.
Mary asked the stranger to try turn
ing on the motor.
u think II will be all right now
she said. II hope you won't be late
wherever you're bound for"
The man thanked her and
laughed. Il wasn't going anywhere
In particular. and | hope | haven't
detained you from some very i'm.
portant engagement"
Mary laughed. II wasn't going
anywhere, either--I was just out
killing time"
"Want to Kill some more timer"
asked the man, and then he sudden.
ly seemed embarrassed at what he
had said. 81 was wondering" he
added. IF you would consider our.
selves sufficiently introduced to
warrant my asking you to stop In a
little shop for some tea-there's n
nice little place a few miles along
this road"
Over the teacups Mary became
more or less confidential as she
talked to this man. Somehow his
dignity seemed to invite her conf
dence. She told him that she had
retreated from a reception In honor
of the wife of the new college pres
ldent. The man asked a few cues.
lions and then looked surprised.
and after that, very much amused
Finally Mary added that she had
been brought up In more or less of
of a college environment, and In her
opinion most college presidents and
professors as well as their wives
were insufferably dull.
The a smiled and the smile
developed into a hearty, good
natured laugh. AS they arose from
the table and II was time for them
to separate, the man produced bis
personal card and handed II to her.
perhaps | shouldn't have waited
so long to Introduce myself" he
said MY name Is Harold Cas-.
tie
Mary looked bewildered, then she
blushed and she wished she could
sink right through the tea-room
floor. But MFR. Castle held her
hand reassuringly in his. you see
I'm just a dull sort of college pres
ident-but at any rate I'm glad I'm
coming to Tome for awhile. Per
haps, then, I'll be able to see you
occasionally"
II didn't suppose" stammerec
Mary, that college presidents who
have wives picked up girls on the
road and took them to tea. It's per
fectly all right with me, and I wonr
divulge the pleasant time we've hac
to anyone, but it's quite a surprise
Mr.. Castle"
That's the funny part of IT all,
said Mr.. Castle. 4There just ism
any Mrs. Castle. My sister is my
hostess"
Mary arrived home a little Will,
later. AT the dinner table Mrs
Vernon couldn't keep her bit of Cos
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