The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1912-09-05
PERSUADING MARY
PROVED BIG JOB
ey JUNE GAHAN.


"Yes-I happened to meet young
Disbrow coming out Of the gate and
It 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. I'm.
afraid she will, James-girls are that
way"
You were notch" Mr.. Dickson
pinched his wife's plump cheek as he
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 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 it we'll, 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.
GAIL alone, Momsy?' she asked, as
she dropped light kiss on her moth
er's white hair.
Eyes, dear. Sit down here a mo-
ment, Mary" and Mrs. Dickson, with
a wistful look at the starry eyes and
the tender lips, sighed at the idea Of
giving up this sweet daughter to any
one of the young men who persistent
ly wooed her.
"Well?" asked Mary, expectantly.
"Billy 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 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. 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
Of the gate, Mary hope you won't
be foolish" He hesitated.
Mary looked at him with troubled
eyes. 81 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"
"Well-daughter, think It over, and
don't decide hastily. I haven't seen
Ford around lately. I'm sorry, too"
"Oh, you won't be-later-when you
know!" she said quickly.
''Know what?" he asked. curiously.
ooh, I can't tell you just now,
father! Not until tomorrow. Do you
know what day 1t is?"
'Tt's 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.
While dessert was being served
Mary was called away from the table
by ring at the telephone.
When the three elders were alone
Great-Aunt Becky spoke up.
Il saw young Billy Disbrow going
away from here this afternoon. hope
Mary is not leading him a dance.
believe will speak to her"
They were leaving the room wher
Aunt Becky asked Mary to help hel
into the big chair in front Of the
drawing-room fire. Mary's parent.
discreetly withdrew to another room
1t was possible that Aunt Becky Nigh
accomplish where they had failed
She was an old lady of keen insigh
into human nature and q wide expe
. rience.
'My DEAR" began Aunt Becky
, abruptly, "why under the sun are 20,
going to marry Billy Disbrow?"
Mary started at her great aunt.
But I'm not going to marry him,
she said at last.
Whom are you going to marry
: them" demanded Aunt Becky, witt
very bright eyes.
Ford Layton" confessed Mary
with crimsoning cheeks. "'ve beef
!, trying to break the news to all O
you, but you insist on urging me t
marry Billy Disbrow-so I though
I'd wait until Ford-he's coming tc
morrow-and promised to tell BIZ
: fore he came"
my dear Mary, they were trying t
warn you against young Disbrow!" Q,
claimed Aunt Becky. delighted beyon
: measure at this outcome. you sha'
have my diamond chain for a weddin
PRESENT.
Aunt Becky, you're a dear!" erie
Mary, hugging her warmly. 81 don
see how any one could dream of m
caring for any one but Ford"
. What was young Disbrow doin
q haro fodov9o