The Lamar register., 1919-06-25


brain every few moments, wondering
how she would break the news 10
Terry that she had promised TO marry
Mr.. Kelley.
Kelley was known on Twelfth
street as a swell fellow and grand
dresser" and he was proud of his rep
utation. He liked to tell his fellow
baseball players about his conquests
with womanklnd. and he had an
nounced that he had girl he had
taken away from IA big Chicago gam
bier
In place OF Terry's diamond. Mary
was wearing an engagement ring set
with topaz which Mr.. Kelley said
was her birthstone. and therefore
much more appropriate than dih-
mond.
Mary still liked Terry very. very
much. and she kept putting on SEND
ing the message that she knew would
pain him. She stifed her worry by
working ks" In fluffy things. and CON
tlnued to write Terry love letters. tell
Ing him that she loved him dearly
hut that the police were still looking
for people to put In jail.
One afternoon. Just after she had
returned from ball game In which
Kelley had struck out twice when
men were ON bases. in came Mr..
Davenport, one OF Mary's regular Gus
TONERS.
Then came surprise.
I'm shy shirt" Mr.. Davenport
said.
1T cant be-. Mr. Davenport" Mary
replied. declsiyely. IAN the parties
that bring laundry in here get all of
II back check 1t myself"
Mr.. Davenport insisted, and Mary
be,ume angry.
You might have put 1t In another
package" he suggested.
'All my customers are honest men.
Mr.. Davenport" she replied with a
toss Of her big pompadour, which
Twelfth street said was all her own
"and If they had got shirt that wasn't
theirs they would have returned 1t.
What kind Of shirt was it,"
Mr.. Davenport explained that IL was
n soft silk shirt for which he had paid
three dollars. He had had IL laun-
dered twice, he said. and II was blue,
with little white horseshoes in 1t.
Mary remembered II. Did II have
a red stain Just below the second but
toni
lie considered for a moment.
II did Mr.. Davenport had bought
II for half price because Of that stain.
well. II hasn't been lost here
Mary assured him with a finality tina,
rieant Just what she said.
There was no chance for argument
so Mr.. Davenport departed.
Mary told herself that she was al
abused girl and that no gentleman ever
you'd have come in and accused her
Gf making n mistake In returning ones
lnundry. She worked herself into such
u temper that she decided that now
was III" time 10 write TO Terry and tell
him if.t she loved another. but that
she always would be Terry's. very best
friend Her ending was:
Remember It's best for us both.
always.
Mary.
"P. S.-The police are still on ths
lookout. NJ"
She regarded the letter a long time
Finally she sealed 1t and laid II on the
cash register so she would be sure &c
remember to mail IL. She sat down
and regarded II intently and question
lngly
The atmosphere cleared when Mr.
Kelley came In.
Hi. Mary" he said.
"IIl, Spike" she smiled.
He slipped an arm round her. drew
her back where they couldn't be seeL
from the street and kissed her. Hel
head nestled on his big chest II mo
ment and then she pushed him bach
with cry.
Her face had rested on Il blue silE
shirt with white horseshoes on II. anC
one Of her eyes almost had touched 8
red stain below the second button.
Get out OF here. you-you." hei
voice choked and she beat him with
her fists.
whats the matter7" said Mr.. Kei
ley.
Mary dragged the topaz ring on hei
finger and threw the circlet of gold al
him. Then she pushed the wondering
startled Mr. Kelley. who was too sur
prised to resist, out onto the sidewalk
slammed the door and locked IT. Gov
ering her face with her hands sh,