The Minneapolis journal., 1902-11-24
MARY ANN THE UNLUCKY
By ELLIOT WALKER

The hand holding out the glass Of milk
she had brought him unclasped in excite
ment. do I?' cried the object of his
attentions. "Oh, murder! What did 1
drop that for? Let me get the mop"
AS she hurried in from the porch Jeffer-
son gazed mournfully at his shoe and the
white stream trickling over the floor. I'm
half afraid to take her." he muttered.
shes sure to have something happen.
Never did I see her like for dropping
things and falling down. It's her way,
though" he added ,galantly, land she'll
get over it. Growed too fast; that's all.'
The appearance of Mary Ann with mop.
towel, fresh offering from the dairy and
joyful smile dispelled his annoyance. She
gave a couple OF vigorous wipes with the
map, then fell upon her knees and
scrubbed the anointed shoe with great
energy. --.e
(.Its too bad! I'm awfully sorry, JEFF.
Leaked in on your stocking didn't, it?
or course I'll go to the show. Amt +
the clumsiest thing? Pa says I'll be the
death of somebody yet! I'll wear my new
hat"
"Come, come" cried Jefferson, breaking
in on her disjointed exclamations, don't
bother with that old shoe. Sit up here
by me, and I'll tell YOU" His hand rest
ed lightly on the curly head. Don't he
said gently. Il hate to see you doing
that"
The girl looked up quickly, then down,
and rubbed harder than before.
That rapid glance in the blue eyes made
Mr.. GilIs heart f1utter wildly. He saw
a blush stealing down the bent white neck.
His hand stole to her white wrist and
casped it firmly. mo, Mary Ann he
whispered, II can't bear for you to, be
cleaning my Shoes"
I don't mind,'' whispered the girl
But she, rose obediently and suddenly
turned to him. "They call me Mary Ann
the Uniucky, he heard her murmur.
'Mebbe'- She pulled her hand away.
brushed by him into the house, and he
saw her eyes were full of tears.
Jefferson rose agitatedly. This was
very unlike Mary Ann. BE ready at z
o'clock Saturday, he called after her.
''All right, jeff came back smoth-
cred reply, and Mr. Gill departed in some
bewilderment.
II must have grabbed her hand too
hard" he unused anXiously. Lord knows
I didn't mean to hurt her. PshaW!
was just going to say something.
Jefferson felt pride in Mary Ann. He
had steered her Cor she hin) successfully
| through the crowd. She had enjoyed her
self hugely and been sparing in her de-
mands for peanuts and red lemonade and
| had not broken down the seat as upon 4
! fOrner occasion.
Now the circus was over, and her warm
arm hoisted him on towards the entrance
| of the grounds as they chuckled and
| laughed outright in pleased recollection
| Of amusing scenes.
| Going down the little hill. well away
| from the press Of pushing strangers Mary
Ann trod upon banana peel. 1t was
| enough. With the derision Of distant on
| lockers ringing in his ears Jefferson, his
face red and angry, pulled her up. II
knew you'd do something he groaned.
| His companion. after the common i'm
pulse, glared savagely at the spot Of hu-
initiation then quickly stopped and thrust
| her hand in the short grass.
Lost anything?" inquired Mr.. Gill.
! mo. Found something. Don't let any,
| body see you looking.
She cautiously ununfolded her palm.
| There lay a $50 gold piece.
Come right along,' said Jefferson has
tily.
Half an hour later on the lonely coun-
try road they paused under a great elm
and examined the coin.
Its all right proclaimed Mr. Gill.
| ''Pretty dirty, but the real thing. Your
spend it for what I want you to get
His light tone trembled, and his face was
white.
Tell me, Jeff" AS on the porch three
| days before, her eyes searched his and
dropped.
"A-a-wedding gown
| Yes. Jeff. and-and-I'll try not to fall
j.! down in it,