East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-19
Mr.. Williams
Chooses for
HIMSELF
s-n@--iir Abner Authcny.l@
- LID Mr.. Williams was even now

0LD Mr.. Williams was even now
In the parlor and Del knew
he had come over to ask her
to marry him. There seemed to be no
escape for her, because her aunt who
had done everything for her. favored
his suit.
Il don't want the horrid old thingf's
sobbed Del to her brother, Jim. as they
discussed the matter in the shade Of
the barn.
"Well, now. If you follow me-" said
the young man, "I'll make Mr.. VIII
liams forget all about proposing"
Wondering what he meant. she fol-
lowed him into room next to where
the aged lover was, sitting. They
could hear the noise OF his rocking
chair.
And" said Jim. as If continuing an
argument, Il think it is downright
wicked of you. Del, when Aunt Jane
has been so kind to us, to try to att
tract the only man she ever loved"
Defs eyes widened. Only for mo-
ment, though. Then in answer to
Jlms broad grin, she said: 3
'"But Jim, Mr.. Williams is SO rich,
and do so want to wear diamonds and
sealskins."
"But IL he should not be generousfS
But, Del, say. what about Harryf
l was sure you adored Harry"
Again Dels eyes were wide with
amazement; but Jim gave her cue
with a grimace that would have nada
him fortune as a circus clown.
Hush" she said. Don't ever ten
Aunt Jane about Harry. She never (
even heard of him. I adore Harry, but 1
Williams is so rich. Jim. I can have
everything II marry him"
well. suppose you will, then, buk1
II Is hard on Aunt Jane. Such fins
man, and just suitable age for her. ]
There were positively tears in her
eyes when she described him TO meg,
and she believes he Is coming here to-
day to ask her to marry him. 1t is toQ
bad, Del"
well. can't help It II she 10 mis-
taken"
"And poor Harry! He will be hearos
broken"
"IIl marry. him when old Williams
dies and leaves me a rich widow
And then. suppressing laughtsrs,
these wicked young people dashed out
OF the low French window. down tho
porch steps into the barn. to laugh un~,
til they were exhausted.
But the elderly man they left seated
in lone misery IN the parlor did not
laugh. Indeed, the long sigh he gayej
came very near a groan. Life seemed
all at once to have taken a most wich-
ed turn, and all the rosy visions he had
dreamed in the past few weeks sud-
denly vanished.
What an escape he had hadl He
would go home at once!
But stop. That note to Miss jana.
He must give some explanations. Now
there was a true woman, a saving, eoo-
nomical housekeeper. and in spite OF 90
years OF life, handsome woman. too.
What was in his note? Only rey,
quest for private conversation No.
he would not go home. He would see
Miss Jane, who probably thought he4
was talking to her niece.
II wonder Del, If your elderly ador~i
er thinks Aunt Jane owns the placeTs
"I don't believe anybody told him
anything about It. But all the Milton
folks know it's ours. You can tell
Harry" and the pair went off into flts
OF merriment.
But all things have an end. and the
echo of the luncheon bell informed
these young consplrators that they
must compose their faces and pressnt
themselves in the dining room.
But what had come to Aunt Janef
All her usual sourness was gone from
her countenance. She fairly beamed
upon Jim, whose visits in the holidays
were semi-annual purgatory.
MY dear Delphine!" she saids
where have you been?"
Down in the barn with Jim Have
you wanted me?"
mo, my dear child, no. was un-
der misapprehension, Delphine. with
regard to Mr.. Williams"
Here Jim rushed to the window and
looked out, extreme agitation betray-
ing itself in his shaking shoulders.
Dear me. James" said his aunt 20
move more quietly!"
Il thought saw a pig in the carna-
ton bed" said Jim in stihed tones.
"As l was saying, Delphine," said
Miss Jane. your usual vanity baSj
quite misled you with regard to Mn,
In appropriating his atten-
tions. you have quite misunderstood
him. His visit today was to ask me,
to be his wife!"
"oh!" in a duet from Del and Jim
And hope, Delphine. that I shall
hear, no more of the exceedingly vul-i
gar abuse you have INDUCED IN with
regard to my future husband"