The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-03-14
MARY'S STRATEGY
Observation-Disclosures; I;
BY CHRISTINE HAYES.
lsht, Iyly, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)

|
Congratulate mew chanted Mary
from the doorway. And the famil
paused in its various occupations.
warm interest in each others affair
being characteristic of 1t.
You don't mean that Jacks aur
has come to her senses?" demande
Airline.
No" Mary replied cheerfully. "
simply mean that she's going to-"
What" exclaimed the entir
group.
"Yes," said Mary, dropping into tn
morris chair and unfolding the news
paper she had been waving. 'Listel
to this:
"'W 'WANTED-Companion. Must bC
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"
We'll, Mr.. S." began Mary elabo.
rately, 81 trust that you are familiar
with the synopsis-namely that Mr.,
Jack b., favorite nephew of the rich,
but eccentric Miss Lucretia, is madly
in love with one Mary s., but perverse
ly refuses to marry her because she is
endowed with more worldly goods than
he. Miss Lucretia might easily rem
edy this deporable state Of affairs, but
she has taken an unaccountable dis
like to Mary S., whom she has never
even seen, and VOWS to change her
will if Jack marrics her. You are,
I presume, acquainted with these
facts?'
you just bet am" returned
Tom, with a conical air of patience
'but what has the ad to do with it?"
"Simply that if Aunt Lucretia were
to really know me, just know she'd
love me- said Mary with mock COM
placency. Furthermore, / think I'd
make her an admirable companion.
And" she finished seriously, Jack
has told me so much about her that
] know l really will love her, so it
won't be toadying. And, anyway, it
isn't for the sake of the money. It's
Just that the assurance that he is
heir to the filthy lucre will overcome
Jacks scruples."
Good grill" cried Tom admirlngly.
fNnniIl fn e. al nj
Huh that's just like you! Be
perfectly lovely to her, after all the
rouble she has caused you and Jack"
Airline scolded.
THE truth is" replied Mary, 81 think
ihe worshlps Jack and Is jealous nc
he thought of his marrying anyone.
)f course" she laughed, II can under
tand anyone's bell!S jealous Of Jack
md forgive it."
I'm glad you feel that way dear"
aid Mrs. s., "and think perhaps your
1ea is good one. Are you going to
ell Jack now, or wait to see how
hings turn out?"
We'll, Jack is a dear, of course, but
e's rather a worrier Guess I'll wait.
o long, folks. I'm off to prepare for
ne siege-clothes and music, etc."
And few minutes later her clear
oprano floated down from the sewing
)Om.
Whereat the family smiled TO itself.
n this was, Inconsistency, the song
Mary's merriest mood, rendered !
18th a trill that belied the text
On the appointed Tuesday, there 9
ere several applicants, but Mary, Q
aatly gowned, and with her unmistak-
Die air of good breeding, was conspic- t
'us among them. Miss Lucretia Sc 7
etly loved golden hair, too, and il
ary's hair was golden. She had al v
lys liked clear blue eyes, and Mary's d
es were clear and blue. Further b
ore, Mary's musical talents were far s
owe mediocrity, and her speaking Il
ice, Miss Lucretia noted, was music |,
itself. p
In short, the fastidious little old :,
ly fell in love with the girl at first a
ht and In the months that followed u
2 dtd not regret it. Mary became
: cOnfidant, and in her turn became =
much attached to Miss Lucretia that a
: concluded one Of her letters home q
h a humorous: Il can't bear that =
ry s." = =
70 Miss Lucretia she was Mary c.,
Jacks letters were forwarded to :,
from home under that name. =,
Ny nephew Jack is coming home n
leave, Mary" announced Miss Lu- y,
tia over her knitting one morn nj
Iary already knew, but her heart 20
oped beat at the thought of the ~
prise that awaited him, for she had II
been blind to the purpose of Miss fo
retias loud praises of her nephew, 60
knew that victory was assured.
he little old lady's sharp eyes noted
VS. heightened color approvingly, ~ ~
she congratulated herself as a -
chmaker. ''
lack may think he likes Mary S." "
purred inwardly, "but just wait
he sees my Mary" 1t
few days later Mary came upon
0 suddenly in the garden. Jack hav- dri
arrived without her knowledge. fici
sprang to his feet, his face laugh of
in its astonishment. cal
larry Why-why-Mary !" he STAIN bill
ID, then as the truth 1awned upon gr;
laughed till the tears stood In his is
dir
Id 1t was Miss Lucretia's turn to
stonished.