Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1919-07-02
Observation-Disclosures.
MARY'S STRATEGY
Observation-Disclosures
BY CHRISTINE HAYES.
copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)


paper Syndicatc)
Congratulate me !" chahted Mary s.
from the doorway. And the family
paused in its various occupations,
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. 81
simply mean that she's going to-"
What" exclaimed the entire
group.
Eyes," said Mary, dropping into the
morris chair and unfolding the news
paper she had been waving. Listen
to this:
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Must be
ladylike and congenial. Musical edu-
cation preferred. Agreeable speaking
voice required. Apply Tuesday after
three.
"MISS LUCRETIA B.; % -
Road"
Interesting" admitted Tom; but l
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 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 deplorable state of affairs, but
she has taken an unaccountable dls-
like to Mary S., whom she has never
even seen, and vows to change her
will if Jack marries her. You are,
l presume, acquainted with these
factsT"
"You just bet I am" returned
Tom, with q comical 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
l know I really will love her, so II
won't be toadying. And, anyway, 1t
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 girl" cried Tom admiringly.
You'll do it, all right"
Huh, that's just like you! Be
perfectly lovely to her, after all the
trouble she has caused you and Jack"
Airline scolded.
The truth u.s." replied Mary, Il think
she worships Jack and is jealous at
the thought of his marrying anyone.
OF course" she laughed, Il can under
stand anyone's being jealous Of Jack
and forgive it,"
I'm glad you feel that way, dear"
said Mrs. s., "and think perhaps your
idea is a good one. Are you going TO
tell Jack now, or wait to see how
things turn out?"
"Well, Jack is dear, Of course, but
he's rather a. worrier. Guess I'll wait
So long, folks. I'm off to prepare for
the siege-clothes, and music, etc"
And a few minutes later her clear
soprano fioated down from the sewing
room.
Whereat the family smiled to itself,
for this was, inconsistency, the song
Of Mary's merriest mood, rendered
with a trill that belied the text.
On the appointed Tuesday, there
were several applicants, but Mary,
neatly gowned, and with her unmistak-
able air of good breeding, was conspic-
uous among them Miss .Lucretia Sc
cretly loved golden hair, too, and
Marys hair was golden. She had al
ways liked clear blue eyes, and Mary's
eyes were clear and blue. Further
more, Mary's musical talents were far
above mediocrity, and her speaking
voice, Miss Lucretia noted, was music
in itself
In short, the fastidious little old
lady fell in love with the girl at first
sight, and In the months that followed
she did not regret 1t. Mary became
her confidant, and in her turn became
so much attached to Miss Lucretia that
she concluded one of her letters home
with humorous: II can't bear that
Mary S."
To Miss Lucretia she was Mary c.,
and Jacks letters were forwarded to
her from home under that name.
my nephew Jack Is coming home
on leave, Mary" announced Miss Lu-
cretia over her knitting one morn
ing.
Mary already knew, but her heart
skipped beat at the thought OF the
surprise that awaited him, for she had
not been blind to the purpose of Miss
Lucretia's loud praises of her nephew,
and knew that victory was assured.
The little old lady's sharp eyes noted
Mary's heightened color approvingly,
and she congratulated herself as a
matchpaker. !
Jack may think he likes Mary ST."
she purred inwardly, but just walt
till he sees my Mary"
A few days later Mary came upon
them suddenly In the garden, Jack hay-
inn arrival without her knowledge,