The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1936-01-03
The Man Who Knew
Enough
By THAYER WALDO
@ Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.


in the library at four-thirty. That
gentleman took them, scanned the
front pages and uttered a gasping
oath.
"Find my son; send him to me at
once.n
"Very good, sir" said the butler,
and departed for the billiard room.
The scion Of the house was there.
playing solitary and disinterested
game of bottle pool. Loomis I'M
parted the message.
"Oh--seen the papers, has hef" said
Van Zandt, Jr., and put down his
cue.
Van Zandt, sr., was by the fireless
hearth when his son came In.
Hello, my boy" he said; II see
you've gotten yourself In a bit OF a
scrape"
Young Van Zandt smiled drily.
That's hardly the word. sir. as
sumo you're referring to my engage
mentT'
"Yes" The father indicated the
papers that lay on the table. Seems
to be well publicized."
The Journal was topmost. Van
Zandt, Jr., picked 1t up. Across the
top six-inch Jet banner read: Maui
rice Van zandt, Jr. to Marry Ada
Marshall" Beneath that, the two col
umn story heading continued: Wealthy
Young Socialite Announces Berrothal
to Film Coincidence"
He faced the older man and said:
"Well, I'm ready to listen. But
can we do without the usual guff?
There's been so much of 1t in bum
movies"
Van Zandt, Sr., nodded slowly. u
won't ring in any of the old bromides.
AS matter Of fact, / didn't call you
In to hear lecture at all. ! just
wanted to know the facts"
II see. That's fine. Your first re-
mark gave me a different impression.
You sounded as II you thought I'd
been hooked. The simple truth Is, Ada
Marshall and / are engaged and
was in full possession Of my faculties
when made the proposal. That's
really all | can say unless you have
some questions"
The elder Van Zandt regarded him
speculatiyely.
mo; but I might make g few
comments. You see, reading about
this was shock. / think you can ap-
preclate that, inasmuch as I've been
home for several days without hear
ing anything about 1t. The letters ]
had from you when was abroad
didn't even hint at such a possibility.
well, we can let that 60, II
isn't important. Right now I'm only
interested in your personal welfare
believe I can make a few points
which may be valuable.
I've learned to Judge people pretty
accurately by studying their faces
The picture of the girl you want to
marry is In that paper, and I've been
looking at 1t. She's certainly beauti.
full; more than that, / know she has
a wonderful character. But it's moi
for you-there wouldn't be a chance
Of happiness.
I'm the first place, that type OF
woman has to have a man to handle
her. Don't misunderstood mel Tn
not belittling YOU The fact remains
however, that at twenty-three you've
had darned little experience with hu
man nature especially the female
branch. In my opinion, one has tt
learn lot about that, through tria
and error, before he can hope to dea
successfully with what she is. Tba'
would be true even II you were the
same age; but she's five years your
senior"
When be ceased speaking, younf
Van Zandt looked at him for the frs
time in five minutes. The eyes of the
father were dark with a troubled
earnestness. Maurice, Jr., asked
quietly:
rs that all?"
The older man gave slight shrul
and once more his face became i'm
passive. Il think SO. And what
ever your reaction may be, please re-
member I've said that Ada Marshal
Is a splendid person"
He stepped forward a pace, smiling
rather stiffly, hand outstretched. Hi
son grasped 1t and Van Zandt, Sr.
added:
above all, / hope youTl take wha
I've said in the spirit / meant 1t
We've been good friends In the tel
years since your mother died, and 1
was as friend that I spoke"
II know that; thanks" said Mauric,
the younger. Turning then, he walked
from the room
Unhurriedly, Van Zandt, ST., crossed
to the center table and stood, gazini
with thoughtful expression dowl
upon the newspaper photograph of /
lovely brunette woman.
The son entered the study just OF
the library, closing the door behin'
him. Ada Marshall sat across tn
room and he could see the moistur,
in her eyes
did you hear 1t alif" he aske,