The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-11-01
%PERSUADING MARY
PROVED BIG JOE
BY JUNE aAHAN.

wife.
; You mean about Ford Layton?"
! "Yes-I happened to meet youn,
Disbrow coming out Of the gate an.
it set me thinking. I hope Mary won
be dazzled by Disbrow's glitter ant
, flash and overlook the pure gold O
Ford's character"
Mrs. Dickson shook her head. "T'n
afraid she will, James-girls are tina
way"
! you were not-eh?" Mr.. Dickson
plns..ed his wife's plump cheek as b.
passed on into his study.
"Oh, there " was anyone Jus,
like you, James. I think Ford Lay
ton comes nearer than anybody else
I 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 Disbdow."
Agatha. my dear, suppose you just
drop a word Of advice-if she doesn't
take 1t 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 a tender smile.
"All alone, Momsy!' she asked. az
she dropped a light kiss on her moth
er's white hair.
i, Eyes, dear. Sit down here Q mo
ment. Mary" and Mrs. Dickson, with
q 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.
Chilly Disbrow called this after
noon, didn't he. dear!" asked Mrs.
Dickson. hesitatingly. ,
eyes" /.
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 wal 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
oil 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. MI. 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. II suppose he is what you
would call a good match" she mur.
INJURED, unwillingly. /:
"Of course, you don't have to think
Of that. my dear" I:
"He's nice, too, father. He has .
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 you
know!" she said quickly. ;
"Know what?" he asked. curiously.
"Oh. I can't tell you just now,
father! Not until tomorrow. Do you
know what day 1t is?"
"It's the t%wenty-afth 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 a ring at the telephone.
When the three elders were alone.
Great-Aunt Becky spoke up. :
II saw young Billy Disbrow going
away from here this afternoon. I hope
Mary is not leading him a dance. I
believe I 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
d~rawing-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 q 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,
then?" demanded Aunt Becky, with
very bright eyes.
Ford Layton" confessed Mary.
with c%rimsoning cheeks. Tive been
trying 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 I promised to tell be-
fore he came"
my dear Mary. they we're trying to
warn you against young Disbrow!" 81.
claimed Aunt Becky. delighted beyond
measure at this outcome. "You shall
have my diamond chain for Q wedding
PRESENT.
aunt Becky, you're . dear!" cried
AR--Ea .--a-- sRN n 80