The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-07-27
by JUNE GAHAN.
Copyright. 1872, by the Assoc

Copyright. 1912, by the Associated
Literary Press.
Hove YOU spoken to Mary
Agatha p asked Mr.. Dickson of his
wife.
You mean about Ford Layton 90
'Yes~--I happened to- meet young
bisbrow coming out OF the gate and
ii set me- thinking. ! hope Mary
won't be dazzled by pishrow's gilt,
ter and flash and overlook the pure
gold of Ford's character.
Mrs Dickins shook her head. Il m
afraid she will. Janes-~giris are
tnat way.
You were notch a., MIR. Dickson
ptnched his wifes plump cheek as ne
passed on into his study.
oh. there never was anyone Just
like you. James. ! think Ford Lay
ton comes nearer than anybody else.
wish Mary could sec II In the same
light"
she seems to like him. too
The child is charming 10 him
| only ! m afraid she is rather dazzled
| by Billy Disbrow"
Agatha. my dear. suppose you just
drop a word Of adviee--if she doesn't
take ii well. send her to me" sug-
lEested Mr. Dickson. as he left the
room.
A moment later Mary entered, star
ry-eyed, lovely. graceful. her sweet
lips set III "a tender smile.
"All alone. Momsy?" she asked as
she dropped n light kiss on her moth
er's white hair
Yes. dear. Sit down here a mo-
ment. Mary and Mrs Dickson. with
la wistfui look at the starry eyes and
the tender iips, sighed at the idea OF
giving up this sweet daughter to any
one OF the younger men who persis-
tentiy wooed her.
'Well?" asked Mary, expectantiy,
BILLY Dlsbrow called this after
noon, 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 syas she IS sure she IN not
making any mistake James" she
said graVely If she really wants
to marry Billy Disbrow we must do
all we can to make her happy. He Is
not bad-~mereIy weak"
The. deuce" exclaimed Mary's
father frowning, I'm drop word In
cher ear myself
Don't hurt her feelings, James"
OF course nott declared Mr.. Dick
sfs1l In asahoehed ,tene ss..TQ3 "a .~..3e,,, -
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.
81 met Billy Disbrow coming out
Of the gate Mary hope you won't
be foolish" He hesitatsd
Mary looked at him with troubled
eyes. Il suppose he is what YOU
would call a good match" she MUIR
INJURED. unwillingly.
"of course, you don't have to think
of that, my dear"
Hes nice. too, father. He has a
lovely disposition"
''Weil--daughter, think 1t over, and
don't decide hastily. / haven't seen
'Oh. you won't be---later-when
you know" she said quickly.
Know WHAT ne asked, curiously.
ooh. / can't tell you Just now.
father, Not until tomorrow DO
you know what day IT Isl"
Its 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.
Bah" muttered Mr. Dickson.
Fancy having Billy Disbrow thrust
ct me as a wedding present Well.
he will be my son-in-l law. as l might
as well make the best of him. ] only