The Parker post., 1917-08-04
JOKE ON MARY
BY RACHEL CAIN.


shoulders and shiny old serge suit har-
mOnized so well with his time-wOrn
surroundings when he was present
that the sight of the strangers brand
new black and white checked suit and
azure blue tie with its lapis-laZuli pin
Jared discOrdantly on Mary's nerve.
'Ive come to pay Aunt Myras fire
insurance" said Mary.
Jimmy Carter looked through the
wire lattice with it's stingy little arch
way intended for the transaction Of
business. What he saw caused him to
slide down quickly off his stool.
"Certainly," said Jim aloud, reach
ing for pen. To himself, "Not so
bad for jay town. Life is looking up
bit. Sumner, she is"
"What is the name, please?" asked
Jim.
Miss Myra Grant" said Mary.
The ornate hand slid up one page
finding the name.
Nothing doing" said Jimmy. 81
don't seem to be able to find it. How
do you spell it?"
"G-r-a-n-t," spelled Mary.
Jimmy flushed. Maybe Uncle Les
forgot to put it in."
ooh, l don't think So" said Mary.
SIS Mr.. Curtis sick?"
"No-gOne away for three weeks
rest. I'm holding down the job till he
comes home"
'If you'll please give me a receipt
for it I'll not wait. know the amount
its four dollars and thirty cents
I'm in good bit of a hurry"
Gall right" said Jimmy obligingly.
Mary folded the receipt and put it
into her bag. Then she opened the
door to go out, but before she closed
1t she said sweetly eff you look in
the large ledger with the mottled cover
I think you'll find it. You were look
ing in the school directory you see"
She was gone! And Jimmy with a
curious mixture of shame and rage
fumbled awkwardly for a cigarette to
relieve his narrowed feelings.
"Smarty!" he said two or three
times. "Smarty! Think you're real
cute, don't you?" And then finding
the "mottled cover" he credited Aunt
Myra's money and took the rest of the
morning for reflection.
In vain he racked his brain for
some way to make her sit ups and
take notice." as he put it. What kind
Of grandstand play would bring her
tor Jimmy was puzzled.
Then he found it. Five towns were
getting together to have a concert
a real one, with opera singers in it.
Glencoe, being the center was chosen
as the place d'affair.
SO Jimmy decided that to be on
terms of sociability with some of these
bright lights would establish him for
ever in the eyes Of Mary.
He decided on Gerrone. He had
heard that this famous soprano was
young pretty and therefore most prob
ably apprOachable. Besides, he had
friend who had a friend who knew
her and he wrote for letter of intro
duction.
The day Of the concert arrived warm
the air was heavy with roses. Jimmy,
despising the garden varieties, sent a
weeks board to New York for a bunch
Of hOthOuse ones, and armed with these
and his card he started for the hotel.
Jimmy's way led past Mary's. Mary
was in the garden clipping roses. She
called him.
"Hello, Jimmy"
He was so dumfOunded at the sweet
sOciableness Of her tone that he al
most dropped the box he carried. Then
he recovered. The grand opera busi-
ness was doing it's work. His fame
had spread.
'Good morning, Miss Nary" His
tone was the least bit patronizing.
Cant you come fn?" she invited.
Jimmy thawed. "Why, perhaps
can, a minute. I have an engagement
and can't stay long, though
II won't keep you. 1 just thought
we'd sit on the porch minute and
have nice little chat. I've something
to tell you.'
He was curious. "All right. I have
minute, l guess"
Suddenly Mary gave him an odd
look and held out her hand impulsive-
ly.
Jimmy, you're a dear, and I can't
do it just can't. We all like you,
Jimmy, but we'd planned a joke on
you and it's too mean. You wanted to
put me in my place and everyone re-
sented 1t so. I-Pm GerrOne, Jimmy,
don't you see? Yes, I really am. I
was born and raised here and came
home to rest when the season was
over. I've worked so hard for years.
Do look SO unsophisticated?"
But Jimmy was speechless. Mary
leaned forward wistfully. Jimmy,
don't you like me?" she pleaded.
Il was just thinking" he STAN
mered, ''that I'm afraid I've fallen in
love with you"
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspa,
per SyndicateD
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