The Era-leader., 1919-02-13
MARY'S STRATEGY
BY CHRISTINE HAYES.

tO
paper Syndicate.)

from the doorway. And the family
paused in Its various occupations, a
warm interest in each others affairs
being characteristic of it.
"You don't mean that Jacks aunt
has come to her senses?" demanded
Airline.
"No," Mary replied cheerfully. Il
simply mean that she's going to-"
"Nhat!" exclaimed the entire
group.
"Yes," said Mary, dropping into the
morris chair and unfolding the news
paper she had been waving. "Listen
to this:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Must be
ladylike and congenial. Musical edu'
cation preferred. Agreeable speaking
voice required. Apply Tuesday after
three.
".MIss LUCRETIA B., 25 -
Road"
Interesting" admitted Tom; "but
don't quite see the connection"
"Well, Mr.. S.," began Mary elabo-
rately, II trust that you are familiar
with the synopsis-namely, that Mr..
Jack B., favorite nephew of the rlch,
but eccentric Miss Lucretia, is madly
in love with one Mary s., but perverse'
" refuses to marry her Because she IS
endowed with more worldly goods than
he. Miss Lucreia might easily rem
edy this deplorable state of affairs, out
she has taken an unaccountable dis
like to Mary S.. whom she has never
even seen, and vows to change her
will if Jack marries her. Yoe are,
I presume, acquainted with these
facts?'
"You Just bet. I am," returned
Tom, with a comical air Of patience; !;
'but what has the ad to do with itT
"Simply that if Aunt Lucretia were
to really know me, just know she'd
love me-" said Mary with mock COM
placency. Furthermore, I think I'd
make her an admirable companion.
And" she finished seriously, Jack
has told me so much about her that
I know / really will love her, so i
won't be toadying. And, anyway, II
isn't for the sake Of the money. It's
lust that the assurance that he Is
heir to the filthy lucre will overcome
Jacks scruples."
"Good girl" cried Tom admiringly'
you'll do it, all right"
Huh, that's GUST like you! Be
perfectly lovely to her, after all the
trouble she has caused you and Jack,
| Airline scolded.
"The truth is," replied Mary, II think
she worships Jack and is Jealous al
I the thought Of his marrying anyone
| OF course" she laughed, II can under
stand anyone's being jealous OF jack
and forgive it."
"I'm glad you feel that way, DEAR
said Hrs. s., "and think perhaps your
idea is a good one. Are you going tt
tell Jack now, or wait to see how
things turn out?"
swell, Jack is a dear, Of course, bu1
he's rather worrier. Guess I'll wait
So long, folks. I'm off to prepare fol
i the siege-clothes, and music, etc."
! And few minutes later he- cleal
soprano floated down from the sewing
room.
Whereat the family smiled to itself
for this was, inconsistently, the SOM
Of Mary's merriest mood, rendered
with a trill that belied the text.
On the appointed Tuesday, tfer
were several applicants, but Mary
neatly gowned, ard with her unmistak
able air of good breeding, was conspie
! uous among them. Miss Lucretia sc
cretly loved golden hair, too, AM
Mary's hair was golden. She had al
ways liked clear blue eyes, and Mary
l eyes were clear and blue. Further
more, Mary's musical talents were ia
above mediocrity, and her speakin
: voice, Miss Lucretia noted, was musi
t in itself.
In short, the fastidious little OIL
lady fell in love with the girl at f1rs
sight. and in the months that followe
v she did not regret 1t. Mary becam
!, her confidant, and in her turn becam
so much attached to Miss Lucretia ths
q she concluded one Of her letters HON
/. with a humorous: II can't bear tha
Mary S."
To Miss LucretiR she was Mary .
/. and Jacks letters were forwarded
). her from home under that name.
:, my nephew Jack is coming hon
:" on leave, Mary" announced Miss Il
: cretia over her knitting one morl
d ing.
Mary already knew, but her heal
= skipped a beat at the thought Of tf
nj surprise that awaited him, for she ha
d not been blind to the purpose of Mis-
5 Lucretia's loud praises of her nepheS
= and knew that victory was assured.
T. The little old lady's sharp eyes note
Mary's heightened color approvingl
and she congratulated herself as
10 matchmaker.
nj "Jack may think he likes Mary s,
she purred inwardly, "but just wa
y fiIl ho coos NV MARY"