The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-09-23
REFUSING BARTON
BY MOlLIE MArHER.
20. 1921, Western Newspaper Union

Barton had been invited out to his
employers home TO spend the week
end. This, TO Barton, was al uneX-
pected honor, for he was but q 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
MISUNDERSTANDING In his approval of
work we'll done and in natural pleas
antry. Yet, Armstrong had formed a
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 q less p%retentious 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
strong's, would be Of wealth and po-
sition above possibility Of considering
his humble self with matrimonial in
tent.
So in anticipation Of a happy day
or w 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 q 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 l 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. l 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 l looked as-as deSper-
ately ugly as / felt, you'd still propose
to marry me for my money. You need
not try to dissemble. l heard Dad
talking the abominable plan over in
the library last evening; that's why
| hurried into the city today, and came
o,,t ~, tb;, oor to fnrnctoll ynNo
Dad was talking to Uncle Bob, and
he said that you, too, thought that 1t
might be a good thing, In a 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-l
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, 1t won't do any good,
that's what l came on to tell you"
He sat looking at her, thea 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 l 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 n day-in love
with the advantage Of q business con
nectiOn, l told him."
But Barton was staring.
Miss Armstrong" he repeated III,
believing.
The girl laughed.
49," she said, "you are not, after
all, ignorant concerning the name.
Are you, or are you not OF 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. l am but II of
his insignificant employees"
The girl sat down again In conster-
LatiOn.
"But Aunt Lydia positively pointed
you out to m as the man whom fa-
tier had asked out at his wi re.
quest. The name Of the man to
whom father referred last night was
Allan Atherton."
The girl was visibly distressed.
IF / have made some horrid mis-
take" she said, please forgive me-"
A acknowledgements and gray
haired man upon the adjacent seat
turned slowly about.
II believe" he said calmly, that l