The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-27
THE EVENING STORY
Persuading Mary.

you mean about Ford LaytonE
"YesI happened to meet young
Disbrow coming out of the gate and 1t
set me thinking. I hope Mary won't be
dazzIed by Disbrow's glitter and flash
and overlook the pure gold of Ford 8
character
Mrs. Dickson shook her head. I'm
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.
wish Mary could see it in the same
light
she seems to like him, too
1.-THE child is charming to him-only
I'm afraid she is rather dazzled by
Billy Disbrow."
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.
moment later Mary entered, starry
eyed, lovely, graceful, her sweet lips
set in a tender smile.
"All alone, Momsy?" she asked, as
she dropped light kiss on her mothers
white hair.
Yes, dear Sit down here a mo-
ment, Mary" and Mrs. Dickson, with
a wistful look at the starry eyes and
Inc IenQer lips, signed at the lded OF
giving up this sweet daughter to any
one of the young men who persistently
wooed her.
''Wen?'' asked Mary, expectantly.
BILLY Disbrow 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 mistaken" 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 Disbrow we must do all we can
to make her happy. He is not bad
merely weak"
1.-The deucel'' exclaimed Mary's father
frowning, 'I'I drop a word in her ear
myself
Don. Don't hurt her feelings, James"
"Of course not!' declared Mr.. Dick
son in a shocked tone.
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.
ct met Billy Disbrow coming out OF
the gate, Mary hope you won't be
foolish He hesitated.
Mary looked at him with troubled
eyes. IT suppose he is what you would
call good match" she murmured. I'M
willingly.
'Of course, you don't have to think
of that, my dear"
Hes 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"
ooh, you won't be-later-when Won
known she said quickly.
Know what?" he asked, curiously.
oh, L can't tell you just now, father!
NOT until tomorrow. Do you know
Its the twenty-ffth 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,
BAIL" muttered Mr.. Dickson,
Fancy having Billy Disbrow thrust
at me as a wedding present. Well
he will be my son-in-law so 1 might
as well make the best of him. I only
wish I had another daughter, so
could marry her to Ford LAYTON
While dessert was being served
Mary was called away from the table
by a ring at the telephone
When the three elders were alone
Greataunt Becky spoke up.
'T saw young Billy Disbrow going
away from here this afternoon. 1 hope
Mary is not leading him a dance.''
1--WE hope not, Aunt Becky" said
Mrs. Dickson.
ct thought young Layton was the ia
vored one
You know we all were quite happy
in that belief-he is almost like a son
now Mrs. Dicksons fine eyes filed
with tears. I've spoken to Mary"
so have II added Mary's father.
What does she say?" queried Aunt
Becky sharply.
'tshe said something to me about
Billy Disbrow being good match"
returned Mr.. Dickson, reluctantly.
Gracious! I didn't know the child
was so mercenary. 1 believe 1 will
speak to her myself
cit will do no good, Aunt Becky"
ftAnd it may do HARM warned Mr.
Dickson, as Mary returned to the room
At the inquiring glance of three
pairs of eyes Mary's cheek colored.
"It was Billy Disbrow,'' she explain
ed in a queer tone.
"Oh!" said Mrs Dickson. family.
"Ah!'' cried Aunt Becky, acidly.
s'Hum!" calculated Mr.. Dickson.
Mary surveyed them with troubled
glances. Then she turned her atten-
ton to her dessert and the meal was
concluded in unhappy silence
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.
1t was possible that Aunt Becky might
accomplish where they had failed. She
was an old lady of keen insight into
human nature and wide experience.
my dear" began Aunt Becky, abb
ruptly, "why under the sun are you
going to marry Billy Disbrow?''
Mary started at her greataunt.
'But I'm not going to marry him.
she said at last
.eWhom are you going to marry.
then?' demanded Aunt Becky, with
very bright eyes.