The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-05-02
POOR MARY
e@<H~~~H
BY MILDRED WHITE.

providing that farm should be as
promising as its advertisement.
"Where 7'-asked Jack, of the ten
ant, "shall be able to get a meal In
this dead hole2 The thing they call
Hotel, isn't inviting"
SORRY my wife Is too busy moving
TO accommodate you" answered
Graves, the tenant, but perhaps Mrs.
Maltby will. You'd be sure of a good
meal there; she is particular about
having her guests recommended, so
will speak for you over the phone"
Seems to be all right" he said.
returning presently. First house at
the foot Of the hill"
Mrs. Maltby was not at home" a
neat maid told him. "Her husband
who was deaf had misunderstood the
message"
Jack cast an approving glance at the
girl who waited in the doorway; she
was good to look upon In her trim, lark.
blue dress with Its white collar and
cuffs. The rufiied apron and perkish
cap, gave her the appearance Of a
screen picture maid. Couldn't you-7"
he began, and stopped.
The girl dimpled. "Wel!," she agreed,
"come In and will get you something
to eat"
The something was very satisfactory.
Jack had never tasted more delicious
"How much?" asked Jack, when the
last excuse for lingering had been ex.
hausted.
Fifty cents" the maid answered
briskly.
ats too little" he said, smiling.
Mrs. Maltby's usual price," the girl
replied.
Uncertainty. Jack fingered a quarter.
then laid 1t beside his plate, "For sat
isfactory service" he said.
The maid placed the quarter and the
half dollar In table drawer.
'That was for you" he told her. she
continued brushing the table.
81 am working for Mrs. Maltby," she
explained.
swell, thank you-then," Jacks eyes
met hers. what may call your"
The girls own lovely eyes were cast
down demurely. "Just, Mary" she
said.
"who is the maid," he later demand
ed of the tenant, who works for Mrs.
MaltbyT
1.-THE Carson girl helps her out occa-
sionally," Graves informed him, "she's
an orphan and works out her board
where she can"
"Most beautiful girl I ever saw"
Jack enthusiastically declared.
"Think soT Graves explained. his
tone expressed establishment.
Jack, did think so; the wonderfully
attractive face haunted him for days,
haunted him until in desperation, he
banged shut his desk. I'm going out
again to look that farm over" he told
his father.
She was sitting out beneath q tree,
upon his second visit, and she still wore
the pretty apron. though the cap was
missing.
Your she cried, and all the dimples
came into play.
Jack fancied the demure eyes twink.
led In welcome.
my auto is out there on the road"
he began abruptly. 81 have been think
ing of you ever since was here. ]
want to talk to you. Can't you slip
out and ride little wayf"
Mary promptly stuffed her knitting
into the apron pocket. "All right
she agreed.
"NoY, 1 am Jack Townsend Of the
city" he began.
| Mary nodded. Mr.. Graves has told
me all about you" she said. And that
afternoons enchanted ride through
country fields was but the beginning
Of many. Thereafter, Jacks basiness
hours were a feverish rush to compile.
ton, that he might hasten TO his divins
ity. He realized the shock this mar.
rage would bring to his 'society-loving
mother. For Jacks marriage was
thing settled and decided upon. II had
all been very simple.
II am just dippy about you. Mary
he had fervently declared
II love you too. Jack" she had mi.
raculously replied.
Carson was not Mary's name.
Graves had been mistaken In that.
Though she was an orphan. her name
was Burns. Jack knew nothing con-
corning the family Of the girl he loved.
but what matter, she was his choice.
II was upon the afternoon Of their
last ride, that he dlscerned limousine
waiting before Maltby's door az he
helped Mary to alight.
"Mercyp cried the girl. ats Aunt
Lois" And Immediately she was en-
folded In an elderly woman's embrace
"Poor Mary out here In the country
alone" sympathized the aunt. then her
gaze suddenly fell upon Jack. MARY
she burst out. -have you been running
around and firing yourself againi
Your uncle and hoped when we sent
you to board In this quiet spot that you
would rest after your gay season"
II am" said Mary, she turned to the
bswildered Jack. II have q lot Of
tiresome money" she confessed. (which
made me suspicious Of every sutton but
you"
'aThe money makes II all seem dif
ferent." he said. ito me you have al