Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1912-09-26
PERSUADING MARY
PROVED BIG JOB
BY JUNE eAHAN.

wife.
you mean about Ford Layton"
"Yes--I happened to meet young
Disbrow coming out of the gate and
1t set me thinking. / hope Mary won't
| be dazzled by Disbrow's glitter and
fash and overlook the pure gold of
Ford's character"
Mrs. Dickson shook her head. "T'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.
"Qh, there never was anyone Just
like you, James. I think Ford Lay
ton comes nearer than anybody else.
wish Mary could see 1t 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 1t well, send her to me-" suggest
ed Mr.. Dickson, as he left the room.
A moment later Mary entered, star
ry-eyed, lovely, graceful, her sweet
lips set in tender smile.
Gall alone, Momsy?' she asked, as
she dropped light kiss on her moth
sr's white hair.
Eyes, dear. Sit down here q mo-
ment, Mary" and Mrs. Dickson. with
u wistful look at the starry eyes and
he tender lips, sighed at the idea of
giving up this sweet daughter to any
)ne of the young men who persistent
" wooed her.
"Well?" asked Mary, expectantly.
"Billy Disbrow called this after.
aoon, didn't he, dear?" asked Mrs.
Dickson, hesitatingly.
! eyes"
I'm sorry. dear, but you are sure
rou 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
laid gravely. 'If she really wants
marry Billy Disbrow we must do
I'll we can to make her happy. He is
lot bad-merely weak"
"The deuce!" exclaimed Mary's
ather, frowning,
When Mary came into the study to
ell him that dinner would be ready
n fifteen minutes and there was bare
time for him to dress, Mr.. Dickson
pulled his only daughter down on his
NEE.
81 met Billy Disbrow coming out
" the gate. Mary hope you won't
,e foolish" He hesitated.
Mary looked at him with troubled
yes. Il suppose he Is what YOU
would call good match" she MUIR
nured, unwillingly.
"Of course, you don't have to think
" that, my dear"
Hes nice, too, father. He has a
ovely disposition"
"Well-daugater. think 1t over, and
ion't decide hastily. I haven't seen
FORD around lately. I'm sorry, too"
"Oh, you won't be-later-when you
tnow!" she said quickly.
"Know what?" he asked. curiously.
ooh, can't tell you Just now,
ather! Not until tomorrow. Do you
NOW what day 1t is?"
"It's the twenty-fifth anniversary of
,ur wedding day"
What I've got to say will be your
Wedding gift from me-" whispered
nary, and then she ran away.
While dessert was being served
Lary was called away from the table
~ a ring at the telephone.
When the three elders were alone,
Sreat-Aunt Becky spoke up.
Il saw young Billy Disbrow going
.way from here this afternoon. hope
Nary is not leading him dance. r
,elieve will speak to her."
They were leaving the room when
aunt Becky asked Mary to help her
nto the big chair in front of the
irawing-room fire. Mary's parents
tliscreetly withdrew to another room.
I was possible that Aunt Becky might
accomplish where they had failed.
She was an old lady of keen insight
INTO human nature and wide expe-
fence.
"My dear" began Aunt Becky.
abruptly, "why under the sun are you
going to marry Billy Disbrow%
Mary started at her great aunt.
| But I'm not going to marry him.
The said at last.
Whom are you going to marry,
HEMP" demanded Aunt Becky. with
Tery bright eyes.
"Ford Layton" confessed Mary,
with crimsoning cheeks. 1--WE been
rying to break the news to all of
you, but you insist on urging me to
marry Billy .Disbrow--so I thought
I'd wait until Ford--he's coming to-
morrow--and promised to tell be.
lore he came"
my dear Mary, they were trying to
warn you against young Disbrow!" ex-
claimed Aunt Becky, delighted beyond
measure at this outcome. 'You shall
have my diamond chain for wedding
PRESENT.
Aunt Becky. you're deari" cried
Mary, hugging her warmly. 81 don't
see how any one could dream Of my
caring for any one but Ford"