Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-12-15
MARYcnANGES HER MIND
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


As the train pulled into Meridian.
Jack Painters thoughts were also I'm
fishing a long journey Of retrospection.
a period covering five years, the exact
time he had been away from home.
The thoughts had much to do with
girl, a girl whose picture fitted In the
back of his new five-hundred-dollar
watch. When he had left Meridian the
photograph had adorned the case OF a
one-dollar watch. Thus had Jacks
fortunes changed and he was wonder
ing whether or not the change was
good one for him, and he was doubtful
about the wisdom of telling of his luck.
To be plain, Mary had said she loved
him but had refused to marry him un-
til he made some money.
Eyes, Jack, l do love you and FDr
willing to marry yOu--but not now"
she had said.
"Why?" he insisted.
Because you can't keep me very
WELL"
I'D like to know IL l can't. I've a
bully good place in Reedem's office,
and when he dies all the law business
will come to me-"
That's long time ahead. And,
anyhow, old Mr.. Redeem never made
much. Why, his wife has done all her
own work always. And, look at her
what plain little mouse of a woman
she is with all the spunk that was in
her knocked out"
You don't love mel"
II doc l love you SO well l don't
want to learn to hate you because I'm
played out, and l don't want you to
begin to despise me because I've lost
my looks and spirit"
He thought it over, then took his
savings out of the bank, said good-by
to Mary and left town.
The train slowed down and stopped.
"By Jove, I'll do 1t! Jack had
thought over plan of finding out
few things for himself.
He took bus to the Commercial
hotel, the poorest and cheapest of the
three hOstelries in the town, and
breathed with relief when he found the
lobby empty save for old man Steb-
bins himself.
Hello, there. Bless my heart IL it
amt Jack Painter. And look how he's
all lit up. Heard you struck il rich.
Jackr'
Ssh" Jack put hand to his lips
"Give me a room, Stebbins, will you,
and come up; want to have a talk"
And after a while the old man came
down and telephoned for Steve Lovall.
Steve came around, went up to Jacks
room and before long came down with
a big fat check in his pocket.
That day Mary Fielding was read
ing in the lawn swing when Polly
Marshall drove up the walk and ran
in excitedly.
"Oh. Mary. have you heard IT,
news? Jack Painters home and
working in old Mr.. Redeem
again. It's all a mistake. abe
ting alcpgxy, W. fnd 4
glad tSget back9 Mercy .SWhat's
X,
There wasn't anything serious. was
there, between you and Jack?"
"No-oh. no. I'm not feeling very
well, that's all. Polly"
"And that's not all the news?" de-
clared the gossip with importance and
meaningly. Maybe you'll be more
interested in this, since you've been
seeing so much of Steve. Some lady
died and left him heaps of money"
Polly left. but Mary sat silent and
thoughtful.
She waited two days, but he neither
came nor called up. The third morn
ing she walked past the dingy old law
office; and as luck had 1t, Jack was
just leaving for lunch.
Hello. Mary! Gee, I'm glad to see
your he held out his hand.
"You seem to be. Have you forgot
ten where l liver"
"No, but-well, you see didn't think
I'd be welcome"
"YOu used to be, didn't your"
"Yes, but 1 didn't know how things
were. Besides 1--we come back poor.
Mary"
"Oh. well,' pretending not to get his
meaning. you're just In style In this
town. Come anyway"
He looked down at his shabby
clothes. "All right. But maybe I'll
run into Steve"
mo, you'll not run into Steve"
But he inherited a fortune"
II don't care. / told him not to
come any more"
They had walked unconsciously to
the end of the street and were on the
road to the river.
Mary stopped under a scarlet oak
tree. Lets sit here q minute, Jack.
I'm tired. Tell me something. Are
you very, very poor, Jack?"
"Yes, Mary"
"And are yOu-dO you care for any.
oneT
"Just the person l told five years
ago."
She looked away.
Maybe If you were married, you'd
get along better, If you had wife will.
ing to work."
MARY. what do you mean? Look
at mew
81 mean that I'm sorry I've been
foolish and wasted five years Of our
lives"
"You love me enough to marry me
| pow-aS I am ="