Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1918-07-05
The Interference
of BeSS
~1
BY AGNES G. BROGAN


is not as bad as you think"
eBadw exclaimed Billy wrathfully,
"why where would / be, if dad mar
ried again? Do you think he would
put me through college and start me
out on my career, if he were interest
ed in a new establishment of his own
No, indeedy, his second wife would
take my place, and my coming wife's
place, in the home. The thing to do,
Bess, is to stop the affair in the bud.
After a while it will be too late. Dad
doesn't realize yet, that he's really in
love with the girl
Perhaps" suggested Miss Blakes-
lee, she isn't"
"Oh! Nor Billy sarcastically re-
sponded. "Then why does he spend
every spare moment of his time in her
company? Riding for hours with her
in the park, glowering at a fellow II
he interrupts a seance at the office.
Dad was never like that with any OF
his other stenographers. And this one
is doll, you must admit that, Bess.
You've seen herr"
Bess nodded her head. ''When you
pointed her out to me. Il don't like
her, Billy"
The boy smiled shrewdly. "Schem-
ing looking?' he asked.
''That's what I thought"
dad has quite bit of money. Some
of it ought to come to me, but will
it if he has second wife? You know,
Peaches, that you and / are going TO
be married some day, just as soon as
the little doctors shingle is over my
door and" he threw out his hands
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES why I want to
stop this fool affair of dads"
The girl flushed, avoiding his
eager eyes. "That some day of yours
is far away, Billy" she said.
'Not so far away as you think, per-
haps," he replied. "Bess-" his voice
coaxed her, "you don't want to see
my future wrecked, do you?-all my
beautiful plans gone to the dogs
Somebody's got to interfere. Dad will
not listen to me, won't you go to
him?"
'T-?' the girl gasped, astonished.
EYES," he nodded quickly. "You
could make him see things as no one
else could. You've such way with
you, Bess"
'Billy Billy!" smiled the girl, but
her eyes regarded him thoughtfully.
'Tt's mothers money" said the boy
defiantly. 81 ought to have it."
81 wish that I could help you
she spoke slowly.
"You can, you can," cried Billy jul
bilantly. ':You've the most wonderful
| pleading eyes in the world"
'Have II" asked the girl. She arose
impulsively. "We shall see," she
said.
'sPIl run you down to the office,
Billy excitedly agreed, "and leave you
just around the corner. Send in your
card. Dads heard enough about you
| even if you've never met. Dwell
strongly upon my career, Bess, and
how we've counted upon coming home
| together"
The girl laughed softly. "You, boy
she said.
"Pm twenty-one," he declared, "and
older than you, child, if you have an
| extra year"
The infectious enthusiasm which
| had sent Miss Blakeslee forth on heI
mission as intercessor died suddenly
as she awaited her lovers father
"Why on earth had, she come, and now
| that she was here what should she
say?"
The young woman who haughti1y
| took the card from her trembling
| fingers was the dread charmer whom
Billy feared. What influence could
one have against the fascination OF
| such tenderly curling hair or crimson
lips? Bess sighed, and tried vainly
to compose an Introductory speech
| She had just got as far as "Mr. Pow
ers, I am here in the interest of your
son." when the charmer beckoned, and
she found herself in the presence OF
gravely smiling man, whose hand
was outstretched toward her.
.'I am glad" he said, "to meet Billy's
| friend" And then all at once the sci
speech vanished, and Bess sitting In
the wide office chair, was joining inter
eStedly in a conversation touching
upon golf, automobiles and sailing
Billy's father was so much younger
! and better looking than she had ex
nected that she could sympathize more
In the feelings of the blonde stenog
rapher, perhaps after all, hers was
not merely a mercenary affair.
There was q certain movie actor, with
whitening hair about the temples
who much resembled Billy's father
The thought of this actors many trou
bled love affairs brought Bess alb.
ruptly looking back to the purpose OF
her present visit, but how to start the
subject tactfully.
"Billy," she began tentatively, stakes
me much into his confidence. He is
terribly anxious TO get through col
lege and begin the practice of medi.
cine. He has so counted upon start
ing in his own home-your home,
She paused lamely, then leaned for.
ward with sudden confidence, 'and he
has been so worried for fear you may
marry and spoil his career. But OF