The Natchitoches enterprise., 1912-10-03
PERSUADING MARY
PROVED BIG JOB
BY JUNE GAHAN.


Disbrow coming out of the gate and
it set me. thinking. I 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 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. / think Ford Lay
ton comes nearer than anybody else
wish Mary could see it 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.
"All alone, Momsy?' she asked, as
she dropped a 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. "If she really wants
to marry Billy Disbrow we must dc
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.
Il 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"
sHsessessiss5as sessAfa ther-sz nEa has a.
lovely disposition"
"Well-daughter, think 1t over, and
don't decide hastily. I haven't seen
Ford around lately. Pm sorry, too"
"Oh, you won't be-later-when you
know" she said quickly.
'Know what?" he asked, curiously.
"Oh, can't tell you just now,
father! Not until tomorrow. Do you
know what day 1t is?"
Its the twenty-f1fth anniversary Of
our wedding day"
What I've got to say will be your
wedding gift from me-" whispered
Now opd than bo ron owou
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. I hope
Mary is not leading him a dance l
believed will speak to her"
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 a wide expe-
rience
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, !"
she said at last.
Whom are you going to marry,
them" demanded Aunt Becky, with
very bright eyes.
Ford Layton" confessed Mary,
with crimsoning cheeks. 1--WE been
trying to break the news to all of
you, but you insist on urging me to
marry Billy Disbrow-so l thought
I'd wait until Ford-he's coming to-
morrow-and l promised to tell be-
fore he came"
my dear Mary. they we're trying to
warn you against young Disbrow!" ex-
claimed Aunt Becky, delighted beyond
measure at this outcome. you shall
have nv diamond chain for wedding
present.
Aunt Becky, you're dear!" cried
Mary, hugging her warmly. Il don't
| see how any one could dream of my
caring for any one but Ford"
What was young Disbrow doing
here today?"
ST geuss-he was here to hear me
say No to him." admitted Mary.
"And why did he telephone you to
night?"
ST rather think he wanted to heal
me say 1t again." she smiled. ruefully
shall we go and tell father ant
mother?"