The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-10

walked away IN the opposite direction, I
followed at a safe distance. and then my
calculations We're upset by seeing her turn
in ut the residence Of the great Lombard
brothers She disappeared very neatly
through basement window. All the way
home I whistled Mary Was House
maid" Next morning I learned the Lom-
bard house had been robbed.
That evening when joined Mary on the
porch she was confident to the point OF
arrogance, perfectly at her ease, and play
ed the role Of hostess with great api0mb.
From my vantage point how pathetic
/ seemed all the little airs and graces she
assumed. Perhaps the poor child didn't
even have q home, In spite Of almost
| positive proof, ] could not believe her
thief Surely there was some mistake
My speculatiOns were brought 70 an
abrupt ending A carriage had whrled
/ up. Ny mother alighted and came rap
/ idly up the walk. Mary arose, d little
gasp OF Consideration escaping her Her
little plot had indeed caught her In
tangled web. Fearing she might run
/ away and ] should never see her again.
/ put my hand firmly on her arm and
whispered to leave it ali 10 me-rhat
knew everything.
! / greeted my mother. and then I placed
Mary's hand within hers.
My dear boy crisd mother, and 10 an
instant she took Mary in her arms What
! happened IN the next fifteen minutes I
have no idea. Mother was the only one
who seemed at her ease and delighted
: IT had long been her wish that / marry.
and she had. of course, fallen in love with
/ Mary at first sight, accepting my choice
without question. Finally I got Mary
safely into q cab. Then she turned 10 me
+ with dancing eyes.
ITO think / stole your piazza" she gig
gled- I never dreamed Mrs. Brooks was
your mother OF course / knew she was
away"
! Was silent 4 repentant, fearful attI-
tude would have been more in keeping
with the circumstances than such flip
pancy.
II hope you are not angry" came a
mUfied little voice. And II appre-
clate what you did to save me from q
huniliating position. Please give me credit
Tor understanding why you gave your
mother the idea that we
But we are engaged 1 interrupted
L was never more serious about any
thing. Believe me, 1t was not done 10
save you
You want me-without knowing any
thing about me?" she queried radiantIy
OIL can deceive you 10 longer; I'm
Mary Hazleton Lombard the Lombard
brothers niece
why, then" 7 began. with Unutter-
able relief, not because she was a great
heiress, but because she was not a lady
burglar.
They had plans for my future" ex-
planned Mary. Believing that I was
romantic enough TO marry a fortune hun
ter. they selected the one man of their
acquaintance they believed worthy.
Fancy"
DO you suppose / can convince them OF
my sincerity I asked gloomily.
/ Convince them cried Mary WHY,
you are the man.
Now I understood the many social in
I vitations which the tacituru old man had
! heaped upon me. And I had turned them
down,
But why di8 you invent such elabor-
ate Obstacles I demanded at length.
DO you imagine I'd allow them 10 ar
range il all in their way? I'm not a bill
lion bushel Of wheat 10 be disposed Of
/ should have hated you If they had
thrown me at your head. And liked YOU
the first day at Bellies. OF course I swors
her to secrecy.
AS l mounted the Lombard stems with
Mary. I remarked: But wasn't II Jolly
OF mother TO accept you-as 7 did-at face
value?"
As il happened" murmured Mary
sweetly, 'she has been plotting with my
uncles TO bring US together, But haven't
We defeated all Of them2" She smiled
contentediy, her hand slipping into mine