Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1912 — PERSUADING MARY PROVED BIG JOB [ARTICLE]

PERSUADING MARY PROVED BIG JOB

By JUNE GAHAN.

"Have you spoken M to Mary Agatha?” asked Mr. Dickson of his wife. “You mean about Ford Layton?” es —l happened to meet young Dlsbrow coming out of the gate and it set me thinking. I hope Mary won’t be dazzled by Dlsbrow’s glitter and flash and overlook the pure gold of Ford’s character.” Mrs. Dickson shook her head. ‘Tm afraid she will, James—girls are that way.” ‘ You were not —eh?” Mr. Dickson pinched his wife's plump cheek as he passed on into his study. “Oh, there never was anyone just like you, James. I think Ford Layton comes nearer than anybody else. I wish Mary could see it in the same light.” “She seems to like him, too.” “The child is charming to him—only I’m afraid she is rather dazzled by Billy Disbdow.” “Agatha, my dear, suppose you just drop a word of advice —if she doesn’t take it well, send her to me,” suggested Mr. Dickson, as he left the room. A moment later Mary entered, star-ry-eyed, lovely, graceful, her sweet lips set in a tender smile. “All alone, Momsy?’ she asked, as she dropped a light kiss on her mother’s white hair. “Yes, dear. Sit down here a moment, Mary,” and Mrs. Dickson, with a wistful look at the starry eyes and thq, tender lips, sighed at the idea of giving up this sweet daughter to any one of the young men who persistently wooed her. “Well?” asked Mary, expectantly. “Billy Dlsbrow called this afternoon, didn’t he, dear?” asked Mrs. Dickson, hesitatingly. “Yes.” “I'm sorry, dear, but you are sure you are not making a mistake?” Mrs. Dickson stumbled over the words. “I’m quite sure, Momsy,” said Mary quietly, and just then she was called away and Mrs. Dickson stepped to the study door and spoke to her husband. “Mary says she Is sure she is not making any mistake, James,” she said gravely. “If she really wants to marry Billy Dlsbrow W’e must do all we can to make her happy. He is not bad—merely w§ak.” “The deuce!” exclaimed Mary’s father, frowning, When Mary came into the study to tell him that dinner would be ready In fifteen minutes and there was barely time for him to dress, Mr. Dickson pulled his only daughter down on his knee. “I met Billy Dlsbrow coming out pf the gate, Mary 1 hope you won’t be foolish.” He hesitated. Mary looked at him with troubled eyes. “I suppose he is what you would call a good match,” she murmured, unwillingly. "Of course, you don’t have to think pf that, my dear.” “ “He’s nice, too, father. He has a lovely disposition.”

“Well—daughter, think it over, and don’t decide hastily. I haven’t seen Ford around lately. I’m sorry, too." “Oh, you won’t be —later—when you know!” she said quickly. “Know what?” he asked, curiously. “Oh, I can’t tell you just now, father! Not until tomorrow. Do you know what day It is?” “It’s the twenty-fifth anniversary of our wedding day.” “What I’ve got to say will be your wedding gift from me,” whispered Mary, and then she ran away. While dessert was being served Mary was called away from the table by a ring at the telephone. When the three elders were alone, Qreat-Aunt Becky spoke up. “I saw young Billy Dlsbrow going away from here this afternoon. I hope Mary is not leading him a dance. I believe I will speak to her.” They were leaving the room when Aunt Becky asked Mary to help her into the big ’ chair in front of the drawing-room fire. Mary’s parents discreetly withdrew to another room. It was possible that Aunt Becky might accomplish where they had failed. She was an old lady of keen Insight Into human nature and a wide experience.

“My dear,” began Aunt Becky, abruptly, “why under the sun are yott going to marry Billy Dlsbrow?” Mary started at her great aunt. “But I’m not going to marry him,’* she said at last. “Whom are you going to marry, then?” demanded Aunt Becky, with very bright eyes. “Ford Layton,” confessed Mary, with crimsoning cheeks. “I’ve been trying to break the news to all of you, but you Insist on urging me to marry Billy Dlsbrow so I thought I’d wait until Ford —he’s coming tomorrow—and I promised to tell before he came.” “My dear Mary, they were trying to warn you against young Disbrow!” exclaimed Aunt Becky, delighted beyond measure at this outcome. “You shall have my diamond chain for a wedding present!’ “Aunt Becky, you’re a dear!” cried Mary, hugging her warmly. “I don’t see how any one could dream of my caring for any one but Ford.” “What was young Dlsbrow doing here today?” ‘T geuss—he was here to hear me say 'No’ to him,” admitted Mary. “And why did he telephone you tonight?” “I rather think he wanted to hear me say it again,” she smiled, ruefully. "Shall we |go and tell father and mother?” (Copyright. IM2. by Associated Literary • .. • Press.)