The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1919-02-15
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
MARYS STRATEGY

BY CHRISTINE HAYES.
(Copyright. 1913, by me Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)


you don't mean that Jacks amt
has come to her sensesT demanded
! Airline.
No" Mary replied cheerfully. 81
simply mean that she's going to-"
"What!" exclaimed the entire
group.
YES" said Mary, dropping into the
morris chair and unfolding the news
paper she had been waving. Listen
to this:
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Must he
ladylike and congenial. Musical edu'
cation preferred. Agreeable speaking
voice required. Apply Tuesday after
three.
MISS LUCRErIA B., 25 -
Road"
| Interesting" admitted Tom; "but !
don't quite see the connection"
''WeH, 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 mady
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 deplsrabe 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 maYies her. You are.
presume, acquainted with these
farts?"
Won Just bet am" returned
Tom, with comical air of patience :
hut what has the I'd to do with tt?"
"Smply that if Aunt Lucretia were
to really know me- just know she'd
love me- said Mary with mock com
placpncy. Furthermore ! think Ia
make her an admirable companion
And" she finished seriously, "Jack
has told me so much about her that
I know I 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 scrupIes."
Good girl" cried Tom admiringly.
you'll do it, all RIGHT"
"Huh, that's just like you Be
perfectly lovely to her, otter all the
trouble she has caused you and Jack"
Airline ScOlded.
"The truth is" replied Mary, 81 think
she wOrships Jack, and is jealous a,
the thought of his marrying anyone.
OF course" she laughed, 81 can under
stand anyone's being jealous of Jack
and forgive it,"
I'm glad you feel that way DEAR"
said Mrs. s., land 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 a dear, of course. but
he's rather a worrter 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 flOated down from the sewing
room.
Whoreat the fanily smiled to itself
for this was, inconsistency, the song
of Mary's merriest mood, rendered
with a trill that helied the text.
On the appointed Tuesday, there
were several applicants, but Mary,
neatly gOWned. AMI with her unmStak-
able air of good breeding. was conST ic-
uous among them. Miss Lucretia Sc
cretiy loved Colleen hair, too, end
Mary's hair was golden. She had al
ways liked clear blue eyes and Mays
eyes were clear and blue. Further,
more Mary's musical talents were Tar
above mediocrity, and her speaking
voice. Miss Lucretia noted, was mt: G
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 it, Mary became
her confidant, and in her turn became
so much attached 50 Miss Lucretia that
she concluded one of her letters home
with a humorous: 81 can't bear that
Mary s."
20 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 Lp
cretia over her knitting one morn.
ing.
Mary already knew, but her heart
skipped q beat at the thought Of the
surprise that awaited him, for she. haG
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 approvingIy.
and she congratulated herself as a
matchmaker.
Jack may think he likes Mary s."
she purred inwardly, but just wait
till he sees my Mary"
few days later Mary came upon
them suddenly in TIE garden, Jack hay,
ing arrived without her knowledrn
He sprang to his feet, his face Iaugh.
able in its aStOnislmont
Mary -wjy-Mary :" he st.l,,.
mered. then as the truth dawucd uiaa