Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-09-18

4
TX Barbara Bessinger.
- "A man should be several years
the senior of his WIFE" declared Quin-
tus Bessinger.
And he has a glass eyer
zone less with which to observe
shortcomings, my dear!'
and has false teeth"
$50 have |. Now. Barbara, be sensi-
Bile. and think il over.
Barbara thought it over, and decided
that If being sensible meant marrying
Giles Ferguson she must persist IN be-
ing foolish. The next time her father
returned to the charge he put his plea
on personal grounds. His pathetic rep
resentation of his position was rather
effective. The Improvements IN MS
office building had cost much more than
ne had fancied they would. An Eastern
Arm. ON whose leniency he had Relied
were pressing him for immediate pay
nent of a heavy account. Ferguson
had practically refused him further al
yances because Barbara had deemed
10 marry him. He could find better use
for his money than loaning it to the
man whom he was anxious to accept as
a father-in-law.
81 wouldn't urge you," concluded
Ressinger. "if l thought you cared for
any one else. There isn't any one else
-eh. BarbaraY'
Barbara was eighteen. She had a
round trim young form, a brunette
face full of life and sparkle, arch hazel
ewes. and a lovely scarlet mouth.
mo one else,t papag' There was no
6oubting the frank sincerity of the re-
plv. "Give me two weeks more to con-
slider Then-I'll say yes, if ! cantor
your sake-you poor, dear old worried
thlng!s
Ressinger made the most of Barbara
concession. Ferguson was profoundly
pratified. His one movable eye ex-
pressed his happy anticipation.
.Teu her" said he, THAT | have never
married because my ideal was so lofty.
Never until l met Miss Barbara did
meet any woman possessing every per-
lection"
..Teu her yourself" advised Quintus.
"Cirls don't like to be courted through
their parents"
So Ferguson called every evening.
His delibS rate compliments and Ian
gushing glance set her wild with re-
sentiment Two weeks, Why hadn't
she said two mouths? Surely the hours
wore racing by. 1t seemed 10 her the
DAYS fairly galloped out of sight Her
father grew more haggard-more de-
messed. She used TO catch him watch
ing Ler furtively. Ferguson would
stave of failure, would build up his
Business. would put his credit on a
arm basis, If only He had been a
GOOD father 10 her. She would prob
ably never fall in love anyway. Per
haps she ought 10 do as he wished
there she shuddered.
The, fateful day ,ef hey. aegisiep ar
rived. A glorious day il was. crisp and
golden. with rollicIing Mind skurry-
ing along State street and playing
pranks at the corner where towers the
Masonic temple. Just there il swirled
Elft SktttS SkNQhu ASA SAtAuSA
ankles. and-not content with this au.
daciy-snatched of her veil and fiirted
st out of reach. But tall man in a
gray suit gave prompt pursuit. 20,
thank your cried Barbara Bessinger.
blushing, when he stooS before her. hat
in hand. returning the truant tribe.
You are very kindr
A murmured depreciation. longer
ing. eloquent look of admiration. deep
bow, and he was lost in the crowd.
Barbara went ho;ae in strange state
Of exhilaration. Some little ones at her
gate offered her roses. She took the
roses and kissed the cls.,dren. She had
never thought fiowers ard child faces
SO beautiful before. She found herself
singing as she ran upstairs. She was
startled by the lovehness of her own re
Election In the glas& Why did she feel
so happy. why-Suddenly she seemed
TO see again the homage Of those dash
ing blue eyes. No, She surely was not
so silly as that In delicious. girlish
shame she pressed her slim fingers over
her eyes TO shut out those others. But
thai would not be barred. They gazed