The Prescott daily news., 1913-02-17
PERSUADING MARY
 PROVED BIG JOB
By JUNE GAHAN.

"Yes-I happened to meet young Disbrow coming out of the gate and it set me thinking. I hope Mary won't be dazzled by Disbrows glitter and flash 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?" MT. Dickson pinched his wife's plump cheek as he passed on into his study.
 "Oh, there never was anyone just 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"
 "The 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
 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 light kiss on her moth CTS white hair.
 "Yes, dear. Sit down here 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 mistake?" 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 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.
 T met Billy Disbrow coming out of the gate, Mary hope you won't be foolish" He hesitated.
 Mary looked at him with troubled eyes. q suppose he is what you would call good match" she mur- mured unwillingly
 "Of course, you don't have to think of that. my dear.'
 He's nice, too, father. He has a lovely disposition" l "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 l hhON' cAiC SdId "Know what?" he asked, curiously "Oh, I can't tell you just now, father! Not until tomorrow. Do you know what day it is?"
 Its 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. T saw young Billy Disbrow going away from here this afternoon. hope Mary is not leading him dance. I believe will speak to her" They were leaving the room when Auni 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 It 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- rience.
 My dear" began Aunt Becky, abruptly. why under the sun are you going to marry Billy DisbrowT"
 Mary started at her great aunt 1 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 crimsoning cheeks 'Iye faen