Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-26
! THE EVENING STORY /,
DO D@pAAN ~SA1>~%D~~j
MUCH ADO ABOUT MARY.
BY TEMPLE BAILEY

BY TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyright, 1910. by Associated Liter
airy Press.
The whole family was in ferment
about Mary. They took sides, head
ed by father and mother In fathers
camp were the boys, while the girls
supported mother
Mary was the youngest child in a
family Of seven. She had just come
home from college and her future
was before her. Father and the boys
wished to have her go abroad, mother
and the girls held out for society.
"She needs quieting down." Ethel
india said. Il saw her yesterday
romping on the tennis court with
that tow-headed youngster from the
hotel" HI,
Mason Jr., matched her with the
statement. That's why she ought to
go abroad, to get rid of that tow
head. Mary is beauty and she ought
to do the family credit when she
marries.
when she marries?" said a voice
from the door.
There was chorus Of "ohs" as
they all turned to look at her She
wore white linen suit and scarlet
coat Her fair hair was tied with a
black ribbon and a little three-cor-
nered hat was set jauntily on her
head.
who's going to get married?" she
asked as she came forward.
They began to talk Of other things
hurriedly. It would never do for Mary
to know they were discussing her. But
in spite OF themselves the conversation
drifted back gradually to the original
topic.
when you go abroad her father
began and stopped.
Mary looked at him startled, Am
going abroad?" she demanded.
Before her father could answer her
mother interposed. II don't like the
idea Of your travelling now. Wouldn't
you rather stay here and see some
thing of society?"
Mary shook her head. II don't like
society,"" she said.
Father and the boys smiled. Then
you will 60 abroad?" they demanded
breathlessly.
A cloud came over Mary's counte-
nance. II don't want to do anything"
she said, "but stay right here and
have good time"
The family exchanged glances. That
was exactly what they did not want
Mary to do. The tow-headed young
man from the hotel was entirely too
much in evidence. And they had am
billions for Mary.
/ ut seems such a pity" mother said
when Mary had gone off with father
and the boys, that Mary has no
worldly wiseness. She might marry
anybody"
Ethelnda and the other sisters,
who were not beautiful and whose
matrimonial chances were limited,
nodded eager assent. They were all
fond of Mary and they all wanted her
to do well. What was the use OF
having a beauty in the family if she
did not live up to her social opportun-
tiles?
Meantime, Mary was again playing
tennis with the tow-headed young
man. She liked him very much. He
had kind eyes and pleasant manner.
Mary was not sure whether she loved
him, but she thought it would not be
hard to do so. Anyhow, she did not
want to 60 abroad or into society, for
it seemed to her that these things
might separate her from the tow
headed young man. She was sure that
he was poor. or he dressed very simply
and never talked Of having things.
Mary's own family always talked Of
having things. They made the most
of their little income. Mary often wish.
Ia otn
and less silver plate. She had a
healthy appetite which demanded
plenty Of bread and butter and less for
NAL service.
Therefore, she was pleased, when
after an exciting game, the tow-headed
young man suggested that they take
tea at an adjacent inn. Tea at that inn
always meant plenty Of French pas
tries. and Mary had a little girls
love for sweets.
While they drank their tea the tow
headed young man asked Mary to
marry him and Mary said yes" He
had such kind eyes and such pleas.
ant manner she said to herself again,
but she knew that was not the only
reason she cared. Some deeper in
stinct told her that she had found her
mate.
That night she told her family that
she was going to marry the tow
headed young man. They stared at
her in dismay.
But you are going abroad" said
father; and the boys echoed, .'You are
going abroad"
Il want you to see something of
society," mother walled, and the girls
chorused, Society" after her. The