The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-09-07
PERSl)ADlNG MARY
PROVED BIG JOB
BY JUNE GAHAN.

scu HEAL ABOUT Foio aesy Wa
'1Yes-I happened to meet youna3
Disbrow coming out of the gate and
1t set me thinking. i hope Mary won't
be dazzled by Disbrow's glitter and
flash and overlook the pure gold OF
Ford's character
Mrs. Dickson shook her head. I'm
afraid she will, James are that
way
You were not-eh?" Mr.. Dickson
pinched his wife's 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 see it IN the same
light
'she seems to like him, too"
ssThe child Is charming to him
only I'm afraid she is rather dazzled
by Billy Disbdow."
Agatha, my dear, suppose you just
drop word Of advice-if she doesn't
take 1t well, send her to me- suggest
ed Mr.. Dickson as he left the room. n
A moment later Mary entered, star
ry-eyed, lovely, graceful her sweet
lips set in q tender smile.
aAll alone, Momsy?' she asked, az
she dropped a light kiss on her moth
er's white hair.
Eyes, dear. Sit down here q mo-
ment, Mary" and Mrs. Dickson, with
q wistfu1 look at the starry eyes and
/ the tender lips, sighed at the idea OF
giving up this sweet daughter to any
4 one of the young men who persistent
ly wooed her.
"We1l?" asked Mary, expectantly.
ssBil1y Disbrow 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 mistaken" Mrs.
Dickson stumbled over the words.
e'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.
ttMary says she is sure she is not
making any mistake, James, she
said gravely. eff she really wants
to marry Billy Disbrow we must do
all we can to make her happy. He Is
not bad-merely weak
"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 bare
ly time for him to dress, Mr.. Dickson
pulled his only daughter down on his
knee.
81 met Billy Disbrow coming out
i of the gate, Mary-I hope you won't
be foolish" He hesitated.
Mary looked at him with troubled
eyes. stI suppose he is what you
! would call good match" she muir.
INJURED, unwillingly.
> .tOf course, you don't have to think
!, Of that, my dear
{ "He's nice, too, father. He has
: lovely disposition
"We1l-daughter, think it over, an6
: don't decide hastily. haven't seer
; Ford around lately. Tn sorry, too.
: tsOh, you won't pe-1ater-when yor
s know!" she said quickly.
n s'Know what?'' he asked, curiously
! "Oh, j can't tell you just now
father! Not until tomorrow. Do yo'
i know what day it is?
4 sits the twenty-dfth anniversary o
n our wedding day.
= ssWhat I've got say will be you
wedding gift from me" whispere
j.. Mary, and then she ran away.
le While dessert was being serve
Mary was called away from the tabl
le by a ring at the telephone.
= When the three elders were alone
Great-Aunt Becky spoke up.
Y Il saw young Billy DisbroW goin
- - away from here this afternoon. hop
Mary is not leading him q dance.
y believe will speak to her.
es They were leaving the room Whe
Aunt Becky asked Mary to help he
,s. into the big chair in trent Of til
1rawing-room fire. Mary's parent
- discreetly withdrew to another roor
It was possible that Aunt Becky migl
accomplish where they had faile
She was an old lady Of keen insigl
into human nature and q wide exp
= rience.
q sMy dear" began Aunt Beck
\ abruptly, "why under the sun are "
4 going to marry Billy DisbroW?"
4 Mary started at her great aunt.
/ But I'm not going to marry hin
4 she said at last.
l Whom are you going to MARI
n then?" demanded Aunt Becky, wi
g. very bright eyes.
D Ford Layton, confessed MAJ
with crimsoning cheeks. 1--WE be
trying to break the news to all
II you, but you insist on urging me
marry Billy Disbrowso thoug
I'd wait until Ford-he's coming
morrow-and promised to tell
fore he came.'
My dear Mary, they were trying
warn you against young DisbroW!'
claimed Aunt Becky, delighted beyo
meas SIRE at this outcome. YOU sh