The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-05-03
MARYcHANGES Mind
BY Lou,sE v

AS the train pulled into Meridian,
Jack Painters thoughts were also fin
lshing 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 q
girl, a girl whose picture fitted in the
back of his new fve-hundred-dollar
watch. When he had left Meridian the
photograph had adorned the case Of q
one-dollar watch. Thus had Jacks
fortunes changed and he was wonder
ing whether or not the change was q
good n 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 I'm
willing to marry you-but not now,'
she had said.
"Why?" he insisted.
Because you can't keep me very
we'll"
I'D like to know If l can't. I've q
bully good place in Reedem's office.
and when he dies all the law business
will come to me-"
"That's a long time ahead. And,
anyhow, old Mr.. Redeem v made
much. Why, his wife has done all her
own work always. And, look at her
what a plain little mouse of a woman
she is with all the spunk that was in
her knocked out"
"You don't love mel"
Il do. l love you so we'll 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 it!" Jack had
thought over a plan of finding out q
few things for himself.
He took a 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 if il
amt Jack Painter. And look how he's
all lit up. Heard you struck it rich
Jack!"
"Sh!" Jack put a hand to his lips
"Give me a room, Stebbins, will you
and come up; l 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 the
news? Jack Painters home and he's
working in old Mr.. Redeem's office
again. It's all a mistake about his get.
ting along so well and I guess he's
glad to get back. Mercy! What's
wrong. Maze? You look like a ghost.
There WASH: anything serious, was
there, between you and JackY
"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 it, Jack was
just leaving for lunch.
"Hello, Mary! Gee, I'm glad to sec
YOU" he held out his hand.
"You seem to be. Have you forgot
ten where I live?"
mo, but-well, you see I 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. Gail right. But maybe I'll
run into Steve"
mo, you'll not run into Steve"
but he inherited a fortune?"
II don't care. I told him O 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 a minute, Jack