The Republican., 1933-11-23
Mary's Surprise
By ALICE DUANE
g, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
WNU Service

WNU Service
GIT ISN'T as if there was any nour-
L ishment for me in meeting the
Castles" argued Mary. "Mr. Harold
Castles married, and if he wasn't
wouldn't consider being the wife of a
college president. So that settles that.
So far as any social advantage that
can get by passing around tea and mi
croscopic 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 I don't see the point in it,
'Mary, you don't mean half you
say" said her mother. "Of course, it
is something of an honor to be asked
to assist at the tea. Only seven other
girls have been asked-but, anyway,
even if there weren't any 'nourishment'
in going to the reception-what do
you have in mind for this afternoon
that would be 'nourishing,' as you call
it,"
Mary raised her pretty eyebrows.
II haven't decided what to do" she
said. "Maybe I'll start west to seek
my fortune"
And so it happened that on the day
when all the women who were cOnsid-
cred of any social Importance around
Blissville-the seat of Tome college
were attending the reception given in
honor of the new hostess of the pres
ident's 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.
ticed a none too gOOd-looking car
drawn up at the side of the road and
a little later tall, well-built man peer
ing into the opened hood of the cars
engine. Mary stopped her car and of
fered whatever assistance 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 radically wrong with
the old bus.
Mary, who liked to tinker with her
roadster, looked in at the engine. Her
knowledge of the mechanics of auto
mobiles was better than the average
girl of her class because her brother
had taught her considerable. She
smiled at the man and asked if he had
a tool kit.
After Tightening a couple of bolts
and readjusting wire connection, she
asked the stranger to try turning on
the motor.
81 think it will be all right now," she
said. II hope you won't be late wher-
ever you're bound for"
The man thanked her and laughed.
II wasn't going anywhere in particu-
lar And l hope l haven't detained
you from some very important engage
ment."
Mary laughed. 81 wasn't going any
where, either-I was just out killing
time"
"Want to kill some more time?"
asked the man. and then he suddenly
seemed embarrassed at what he had
said. Il was wondering" he added, IF
you would consider ourselves sufficient
ly introduced to warrant my asking
you to stop in little shop for some
tea-there's 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 confidence. She told him
that she had retreated from recep-
tion in honor of the wife of the new
college president. The man asked a
few questions and then looked sur
prised, and after that, very much
amused. Finally Mary added that she
had been brought up in more or less
of college environment, and in her
opinion most college presidents and
professors as we'll as their wives were
insufferably dull.
Inc man Smlleu anu lIle SInlle ue-
veloped into hearty, good-natured
laugh AS they arose from the table
and it was time for them to separate.
the man produced his personal card
and handed it to her.
Perhaps I shouldn't have waited so
long to introduce myself" he said.
"My name is Harold Castle"
Mary looked bewildered. then she
blushed and she wished she could sink
right through the tea-room floor. But
Mr.. Castle held her hand reassuringly
in his. You see, I'm just dull sort
of college president-but at any rate
I'm glad I'm coming to Tome for
awhile Perhaps, then, I'll be able to
see you occasionally"
II didn't suppose" stammered Mary,
"that college presidents who have
wives picked up girls on the road and
took them to tea. It's perfectly all
right with me, and won't divulge the
pleasant time we've had to anyone, but
it's quite a surprise, Mr.. Castle"
"That's the funny part Of it ALL"
said Mr.. Castle. "There just isn't any
Mrs. Castle. My sister is my hostess"
Mary arrived home q little while Ia
ter. At the dinner table Mrs. Vernon
- l. aA A1