The Lamar register., 1917-07-18
joke ON MARY
BY RACHEL CAIN

old-fashioned furnishings in the shah
by old place. Mr.. Curtis with his bent
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 lapls-lazull pin
Jared dlscordantly on Mary's nerve.
1--WE come to pay Aunt Myra's fire
insurance." said Mary.
Jimmy Carter looked through the
wire lattice with its stingy little arch
way intended for the transaction of
business. What he saw caused him to
slide down quickly on his stool.
Certainly" said Jim aloud reach
ing for a pen. To himself. mot so
bad for jay town. Life is looking up
bit. Sumner. she is
"what is the name. please7" asked
jim.
Miss Myra Grant" said Mary.
The ornate hand slid up one page
and down another in a vain attempt at
finding the name.
Nothing doing" said Jimmy. "I
don't seem to be able to find 1t. How
do you spell lt?"
"G-r-a-n-t," spelled Mary.
Jimmy flushed Maybe Uncle Les
forgot to put 1t In"
"Oh, I don't think So" said Mary.
''Is Mr.. Curtis sIck7"
"No-gone away for a three weeks
rest. I'm holding down the job till he
comes home"
''If you'll please give me receipt
for II I'll not wait. / know the amount
Its four dollars and thirty cents.
I'm in a good bit OF hurry"
"All 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. "If you look in
the large ledger with the mottled cover
l think you'll find It. You were look
ing in the school directory. you see"
She was gonel And Jimmy with Il
curious mixture of shame and rage
fumbled awkwardly for a cigarette to
relieve his narrowed feelings.
"Smartyl" he sai0 two or three
times. "Smartyi Think you're real
cute. don't your" 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 up and
take notice." as he put 1t. What kind
of grandstand play would "bring her
tor" Jimmy was puzzled.
Then he found 1t. Five towns were
getting together to have Il concert
real one, with opera singers in II.
Glencoe, being the center. was chosen
as the place d'affalr.
SO Jimmy decided that to be on
terms of soclability 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 n
friend who had a friend who knew
her and he wrote for letter of intro
duction.
The day of the concert arrived warm
| and beautiful. II was late spring and
the air was heavy with roses. Jimmy.
despising the garden varieties, sent Il
weeks board to New York for bunch
Of dollhouse ones, and armed with these
and his card he started for the hotel
Jlmmy'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 bust
ness was doing its work. His fame
had spread.
Good morning. Miss Mary His
tone was the least bit patronizlng.
"Can't you come in?" she invited.
Jimmy thawed. "Why, perhaps
can, n minute. 1 have an engagement
and can't stay long. though"
81 won't keep you. 1 just thought
we'd sit on the porch a minute and
have a nice little chat. I've something
| TO tell you"
He was curious. "All right. have
minute, 1 guess"
Suddenly Mary gave him an odd
look and held out her hand impulsive-
ly.
Jimmy, you're a dear, and l can't
do it-I just can't. We all like you,
Jimmy. but we'd planned a Joke on
/ you and it's too mean. You wanted to