The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1921-07-28
REFUSING BARTON
BY MoLLIE MATHER.
%. 1921. western Newspaper Union.)

Barton had been invited out to his
employers home to spend the week
end. This, to Barton, was an unex-
pected honor, for he was but hum
bic servitor Of the great mans Office.
Old Armstrong, as the Office force
privately dubbed their head, and who
was not old in years but in the un-
abated seriousness of his demeanor,
had long been a grudging friend of
Barton's- grudging in his approval Of
work well done ana in natural pleas
antry. Yet, Armstrong had formed
deep liking after all, for the syste-
matte sensible bachelor. For Barton
gave no thought to marriage. And had
his weekend invitation been offered
from a less pretentious home, Barton
would have refused in self-defense.
He would take no chance Of meeting
on a footing of equality some charm
er fair.
The young women to whom he
might be presented at Avon Arm
str6ng's, would be of wealth and po-
sition above possibility of considering
his humble self with matrimonial in
tent.
So in anticipation Of happy day
or two of freedom, the favored young
friend of old Armstrong, opened his
paper and settled back to read in the
train that bore him on toward Arm
strong Park. He had barely begun,
when a feminine creature Of sweet
scents and frills, crossed the aisle to
deliberately seat herself at his side.
Barton, half turning, found himself
looking into young woman's excited
face, dark eyes flashed at him indig-
nantly, while the girls color deepened
as she spoke.
Il want you to understand" she said
surprisingly, ''that positively will
not consider you as a husband, either
now, or at any other time"
II do not understand" he said cold
ly, "why you should trouble me with
the remark. I have never seen you
before"
"Of course, you haven't" the girl
went on unmoved, "And seeing me
would make no difference in your
purpose. If I looked as-as desper-
ately ugly as felt, you'd still propose
to marry me for my money. You need
not try to dissemble. I heard Dad
talking the abominable plan over in
the library last evening; that's why
I hurried into the city today, and came
out on this car to fOrestall YOU"
dad was talking to Uncle Bob, and
he said that you, too, thought that it
might be good thing, in business
way, to get together as father-in-
law and son. l was to be the sacrifice,
only Dad didn't put it that way. He
said, instead, Trix would be we'll
taken care of as that mans wife-I
could trust him. Dad further said
that he intended to ask you out for
this weekend, and give you full oppor-
tunity to WOO. Said you had begged
the favor. Well, it won't do any good,
that's what 1 came on to tell YOU"
He sat looking at her, then smiled
irresistibly at the situation. OF course
this tempestuous creature had mis-
taken him for some other person.
"And who," he inquired sarcastical~
ly, may ask, are your
II am Beatrix Armstrong, daughter
of Avon Armstrong" the girl replied.
do not pretend that you don't know.
Dad says you profess to have fallen in
love with my photo, which he mad
vertently showed you one day-in love
with the advantage of a business con-
nection, told him."
But Barton was staring.
Miss Armstrong" he repeated un-
believing.
The girl laughed.
49," she said, you are not, after
all, ignorant concerning the name.
Are you, or are you not on the way
to my fathers home to spend the
week end?"
II am" Barton confusedly replied.
The girl rose.
'Then keep away from me-" she
warned him, II have no use for for
tune hunters, even when encouraged
by my father"
: Barton put forth a OBTAINING hand.
''Now look here" he said quietly,
"yOu are mistaken. Your father would
never encourage me as a possible hus-
band for his daughter: My name is
Barton cambridge. 1 am but, one of
his insignificant employees"
The girl sat down again in conster-
1ation.
''But Aunt Lydia positively pointed
you out to me as the man whom IA
ther had asked out at his own re-
quest. The name of the man to
whom father referred last night was
Allan Atherton.''
The girl was visibly distressed.
IF I have made some horrid mis-
take" she said, "please forgive me-
A distinguished-appearing and gray.
halted man upon the adjacent seat
turned slowly about.
II believe" he said calmly, that
can straighten that matter. I could
not help Over-hearing your converse
ton, though your tone was low"
lie looked down at Miss Beatrix.
"Tou spoke almost directly in my
ear. Perhaps, uncOnsciously YOU were
delivering your message to it's right
source. I happen to be Allan Ather
ton.
II will get off here. Goodbye, Miss
Armstrong;"
The man smiled whimsically at the
estonished pair as he fingered for g
moment in the car aisle.
"Your determination to marry fol-
love, regardless Of money interest Is