The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-09-19
Mr.. Williams
Chooses for
Himself
>.By Abner Anthony.A~

0LD Mr.. williams was even nov
in the parlor and Del kneT
he had come over to ask he
to marry him. There seemed to be nj
escape for her, because her aunt VIII,
had done everything for her, favores
his suit.
II don't want the horrid old thingi'
sobbed Del to her brother. Jim, as the,
discussed the matter in the shade Of
the barn
well. now, II you follow me-" said
the young man, "I1I make Mr.. vii.
Iams forget all about proposing"
Wondering what he meant, she fol.
lowed him into room next TO whert
the aged lover was sitting. TheJ
could hear the noise of his rockinl
chair.
And" said Jim, as IL continuing an
argument, Il think Il is downright
wicked OF you. Del, when Aunt Jan(
has been so kind to US. to try to at
tract the only man she ever loved"
Del's eyes widened. Only for a mo-
ment. though. Then in answer u
Jin's broad grin, she said:
But Jim, Mr.. Williams Is 30 rich
and do SO want to wear diamonds and
sea1skins."
But if he should not be generous7f
"But, Del, say, what about Harry
was sure you adored Harry"
Again Del's eyes were wide with
amazement; but Jim gave her a cue
with grimace that would have made
him fortune as a circus clown
Hush" she said. Don't ever tell
Aunt Jane about Harry. She never
even heard of him. / adore Harry, but
Williams is so rich. Jim, can have
everything il 1 marry him"
We'll, suppose you viii, then, but
IT is hard on Aunt Jane. Such a fine
man, and just suitable age for her,
There were positively tears in her
eyes when she described him to me;
and she believes he is coming here to-
day to ask her to marry him. 1t Is too
bad, Del"
well, can't help 1t If she is mis-
taken"
And poor Harry He will be heart
broken"
"IIl marry him when old Williams
dies and leaves me rich widow"
And then, suppressing laughter.
these wicked young people dashed out
of the low French window, down the
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 gave
came very near groan. Life seemed
all at once to have taken most wick
ed turn, and all the rosy visions he had
dreamed In the past few weeks sud-
denly vanished.
What an escape he had had! He
would go home at once!
But stopl That note TO Miss Jane.
He must give some explanations. Now,
there was true woman, a saving, eco
fomical housekeeper, and in spite Of 30
years of life, handsome woman, too.
What was in his note? Only a re-
quest for q private conversation. No,
he would not go home. He would see
Miss Jane, who probably thought he
was talking to her niece.
81 wonder, Del, IL your elderly ador-
er thinks Aunt Jane owns the placer"
81 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 on into fits
of merriment.
But all things have an end, and the
echo of the luncheon bell informed
these young conspirators that they
must compose their faces and present
themselves In the dining room
But what had come TO Aunt Jane?
All her usual sourness was gone from
her countenanee. She fairly beamed
upon Jim, whose visits in the holidays
were semi-annual purgatory.
MY dear Delphine," she said.
where have you been2"
Down in the barn with Jim. Have
you wanted mel"
mo, my dear child, no. / was un-
der Misrepresentation, 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. do
move more quietly"
81 thought saw pig in the carna-
ton bed" said Jim in stihed tones.
"As I was saying. Delphine," said
Miss Jane, your usual vanity HIS
quite misled you with regard 70 Mr..
williams. In appropriating his stten-
lions. you have quite misunderstood