The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-09-07
REFUSING BARTON
By MolLiE MATHER

barton had been invited out 70 his
employers home TO spend the week
end This, to Barton, was an unex-
pected honor. for he was but a hum
BILE serv1tor Of the great mans ONCE.
Old Armstrong, as the ONCE force
privately dubbed their head. and who
was not old In years but In the I'M
abated seriousness Of his demeanor.
had long been a grudging friend Of
Barton's-gxudgsng i'm his approval Of
work well done and in natural pleas
antry. Yet, Armstrong had formed d
deep liking after all. for the syste-
matte sensible bachelor. For Barton
gave no thought TO marriage. And had
his week end invitation been offered
from a less pretentious home, Barton
would have refused In self-defense.
He would take no chance Of meeting
on footing Of equality some charm
g fair.
The young women TO whom he
might be presented at Avon Arm
strong's. would be of wealth and POI
sition above possibility Of considering
his humble self with matrimonial In
tent
So I'm 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 10
deliberately seat herself at his side.
Barton, half turning. found himself
looking Into young woman's excited
face. dark eyes flashed at him lndig-
nantly. while the girls color deepened
as she spoke.
II want you to understand" she said
surprisingly. that positively WIN
net consider you as husband. either
now, or at any other time"
Il do not understand" he said cold
", "why you should trouble me with
the remark 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. II 1 looked as-as desper-
ately ugly as / felt, you'd still propose
to marry me for my money. You need
not try to dissemble. / heard Dad
the library last evening; that's why
hurried into the city today, and came
out on this car to forestall you"
dad was talking to Uncle Bob, and
| be said that you. too, thought that Ii
might be good thing, in "a business
way, TO get together as father-in-
law and son. | was to be the sacrifice,
only Dad didn't put II that way. He
said. instead. Trix would be well
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 i 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-
Iy. may ask. are your
81. am Beatrix Armstrong daughter
of Avon Armstrong" the girl replied.
do not pretend that you don't know.
i 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 business con-
/ nectiOn. told him."
/ But Barton was staring.
Miss Armstrong" he repeated I'M
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 endT"
Il 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.
4 Now look here he said quietly,
you are mistaken Your father would
never encourage me as a possible hus-
band for his daughter. Ny name Ia
Barton cambridge. / am but one Of
his Insignificant employees"
The girl sat down again IN eonster-
hation.
But Aunt Lydia positively pointed
/ you out to me as the man whom fa-
fher had asked out at his own re-
quest. The name OF the man 10
whom father referred last night was
Allan Anterior"
The girl was visibly distressed.
IF / have made some hOrrid mis-
take" she said, please forgive me"
A acknowledgements and gray
haiIed man upon the adjacent seat
turned slowly about
81 believe" he said calmly, that I
can straighten that matter. / could
not help over-hearing your converse
tion- though your tone was low
/ He looked down at Miss Bezrrtx-
GYcr, smoke alu1oaf dfracfIv fu nv