XXXVII
Bill Gadsby, going abroad, naturally wasn’t on that ballot for Councilman Antor’s chair; but this history shows that that mouthy antagonist who had had so much to say about “pink satin ribbons” and “vanilla sprays,” didn’t win. No. A first class man got that position; old Tom Young, Sarah’s Dad, as good an old soul as any in all Branton Hills. And was Sarah happy! Oh, my! And was Sarah proud! Two “oh, mys!” Tiny Nancy, loyal as always to Bill, said:—
“Bill was as good as in, for nobody, knowing my Bill would ballot against him; and Bill would hold that honor now, but for ‘Old Glory’s’ calling.”
That’s right, Nancy darling, you stick up for Bill; for, though Bill didn’t know it until many months, a citation “for outstanding and valorous conduct in action” was soon to go through our National Printing Plant! For a “city fop” or an “outdoor part of a tailor shop” is not always a boob, you know.
Gadsby’s mansion was again brightly aglow that night, that “World War flag” not hanging in his window now. And so, on Labor Day night, Lady Gadsby and His Honor, sitting in his parlor, thought that a light footfall was sounding out on his porch. As Gadsby got up to find out about it, Julius, coming in with a young girl, stood looking, grinningly, at Lady Gadsby; who, jumping up, said, happily:—
“Why! Mary Antor!!”
“No, Ma,” said Julius. “This is not Mary Antor.”
“Not Mary Antor? Why, Julius, I think I know M”
“Not Mary Antor, Ma, but Mary Gadsby!”
“Oh! Oh! My darling girl!!” and half crying and half laughing, Mary was snuggling in Lady Gadsby’s arms; and His Honor, coming in, saying:—
“By golly! That young cuss, Cupid, is mighty busy around this town! Why, I can hardly walk two blocks along Broadway, without a young girl, who has ‘grown up in a night,’ stopping, and saying: ‘Mayor Gadsby, this is my husband.’ But I’ll say that Cupid’s marksmanship has always brought about happy matings. And, Mary, you darling kid, your sad, dark shadows will gradually pass; and Lady Gadsby and I will try to bring you loads and loads of comfort. But, say, you, Julius! I didn’t know that you and Mary”
“Ho, ho” said Mary, laughing. “Didn’t you know that Julius and Norman and I sat out nights on old Lady Flanagan’s porch?”
“Why, no; how should I? I don’t go snooping around anybody’s porch.”
“Ha, ha, Dad,” said Julius; “no snooping would find that out. Mary and I had had this plan so long ago that I didn’t know a World War was coming!”