The Lamar register., 1916-07-19

To spend the evening Win heT loNeI
and she had new and beautiful gown.
As she entered the reception room.
John rose to greet her. She paused
before she reached him. and. letting
the long cloak slip from her shoul-
ders. stood revealed in ali the bravery
or the new finery.
Don't you like it?" she faltered.
lie might have been diplomatic in
his reply. But that was not Johns
way.
So he bIurted out bluntly. No. l
don't"
Tears rose instantly to dim the
brightness OF Mary's blue eyes.
Why" she asked, after long
pause.
But specific explanation was quite
beyond John He did not like the
dress. He simply stood and gazed
dlsappoinungly ut it, and under the
shadow OF that look Mary broke down
and wept openly. Then. without an
other word she ran from the room.
Then half hour had passed and
Mary had not returned to him. lie
rang the bell and requested the maid
that he was waiting.
When the maid returned she handed
him a note. II was very brief He
read amazedly: q am not going out
with you-now or at any other time
Mary"
Besides being straightforward to the
verge OF brusqueness, John was stub
born. lie felt that he did not de
serve the punishment.
And the breach thus opened wild.
ened steadily as time sped on.
Marys maid went to her mistress
one day and asked Miss Mary, what
had we better do about the rough
laundry this week? Old Mary hasn't
been to get IT."
Young Mary turned languidly from
the book she was only pretending to
read.
Perhaps she's sick" she suggest
ed IN go over to her place and see
about it"
1t was Il sad enough spectacle which
confronted Mary when she reached the
poor home OF the laundress. The few
bits OF furniture were piled up ready
for removal. Old Mary was sitting be.
side John. her rheumatic old husband.
The story was soon told. Johns
rheumatism would not permit him to
work steadily any longer. 1t was star
walton OF the poorhouse.
Young Mary thought rapidly, and
the end of her pon6ering brought glad
relief TO the face of old John.
IN take Mary home with me- she
said authoritatlvely. There's a little
room over the kitchen she can have.
She can help the cook when she is
able, and she'll be well looked after"
An hour or two later, leaning on his
stick and shufiing his way to the road
leading to the poorhouse. old John was
halted by CHEEKY greeting:
Hello John! What's up with your
You haven't been around lately to do
the lawn"
The old man repeated the tale OF his
misfortunes.
1t was Johns turn to take the role
OF good fairy. He knew how these old
folks had always dreaded the poor.
house.
You won't have to go to the poor.
house." he told the old fellow. You
come around to the garage with me.
There's a room there the under gar.
dener used to have. You shall stay
there. The cook will feed you. When
you feel like doing a bit Of work, why,
do It,"
So 1t happened that old Mary, com,
fortably ensconced in Miss Mary's
kitchen. received a message which told
her that old John had escaped the
poorhouse. 1t gave her the address OF
the garage.
Time passed. One morning Marys
maid came to her room with a serious
face. odd Marys too sick to get up"
she announced dolefully.
Miss Mary wrote a note at old
Marys dictation. 1t said: Dear,
John, am sick, maybe dying. l
want you. Come at once. Mary"
The note was sent and when it
reached its destination it threw old
John into panic. Mr.. John was away,
but the chauffeur advised the old man
to go to his wife at once.
Leave the note on the boss desk,
he suggested. Then he'll know why
you had to go m a hurry"
Mr.. John came back from business
trip tired and utterly discouraged.
~. tha NbplA face pf the