Daily picayune., 1921-01-18
The Marrying
 of Billy Bv MAY ISABEL BOYNTON

Uncle Nathan was the first 10 agi- tate the question of getting Billy mar ried and the rest of the Cummings family followed the idea like a FOX hound the scent of the anise oaS' | Billy was twenty-eight, well estab- lished in his profession, the law-un- usually well established. ill fact, but then, Billy was a little bit unusually welIn in the eyes of his family, and if he had not possessed level head would have been utterly spoiled long ago instead of being the splendid spec imen of young manhood he was.
 An only ehild--the last male repre- sentative of a proud old family, great responsibility rested upon him. So forthwith a family council was called and Billy summoned home He came. listened to the admonitions and advice of his father and uncles and aunts unto the second and third generations-Billy's mother was dead understood perfectly we'll why cer- tain fair damsels who like himself be- longing to Ashton's first families were consistently thrown in his way; had a good time, looked upon the fam fly maneuvers as something of joke, and returned to his office. Once, twice, three times was he l called home in like manner, and on the occasion of his third departure Silas Cummings spoke to him in no uncertain terms
 "I want you to get married he said bluntly, "and have a family to keep up the name. It's good name and one to he proud of We've money and we've brains At your age l was married and had two children-you and your sister that died. You've l danced round the bush long enough. Within six montbs I want you to bring your wife to me
 "Why, I intended to marry" Billy stammered. and he blnshed a little. "In fact there is a little girl i'll the city I-' old Silas Blew up.
 "You,H marry no strange city girl who doesn't know turnip from croquet ball. There's plenty of good ones right here at home, sir-giriS we've known all their lives and their folks before 'em. Marry without my consent and I'll disown you
 As old Silas grew red, young Billy grew white. They measured each other eye to eye. There was an om- inous silence, finally broken by Billy.
 "I promise never to enter into any marriage to which you have ever re fused your consent" and he held out his hand.
 SilaS erasped it-and beamed.
 '.I knew you'd listen to reason. No trouble from me under those condi- tioas-no.hing hut my blessing for yon and your future wife, and you know Cummings never goes hack on his reord. Nov 70 to it, my boy"
 "Fm going" Billy answered, but his father ed nor see the twinkle in his eve
 It WAS nearly three months since Billy and his father had had that con yersation. and with no move on Bils s part. Silas waS growing restless, when one day there came a note from Billy.
 Coming home for three weeks va cation. Get your blessing ready. dad" and Stas beamed with satisfaction.
 This could mean bu one thing Billy was coming home to choose wife. If the fattcd calf was not lit- orally Killed, it was figuratively many tines over and 10 crown all. Silas bought a nifty sedan car.
 ."The old boneshuEer is good enough for me. he confded te Brother Ma than. "hut I want Billy to have the best there is. though how in thunder fellow does any eourting In one of the contraptions unless he stalls the engine is more than l can see.
 SiIas drove the sedan to the sta lion himself to meet Billy with a smile on his face that threatened to disIocate his law Billy came down the steps of the car-but what? He was turning to assist young woman such young woman, too. Silas had to admit to himself. as Ashton could noi boast of-so dainty, so sweet and altogether adorable did she look to ever his prejudiced eyes. "Father," Billy said quietly, my wife-the little girl I once spoke about tn you. Frances. this is my father, the best dad that ever was."
 Perhaps he was all Billy said, but ne didn't look 1t. The storm gathered and broke.
 You young scamp" he shouted. "Didn't tell you if you married with out my consent you'd be no son of mine?n
 Easy" Billy cautioned. People are looking at you and you'n frighten Frances. You promised to give your blessing to any marriage to which you had not refused ynur consent, and you never refused it to my marrying Frances-and you know Cummings never goes back on his word v