Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-07-09
The months went bv. as month. n.

tuRAhUly uO. LIE emu Oh June was
only a week away and Jimmy and
Elsie BECAME more engrossed in each
other every day. Mary Hogan felt jus
titled In catching phrase Of their
conversation now and then, for she
wanted to know just what day the
wedding was going to take place. She
eventually heard the date. It was to
be June 18--a week away. That night,
In her little room, Mary Hogan count
ed the silver In little metal box.
Jimmy's dimes for 100 days and Mr..
Barker'g quarters for 90 days came
to the neat sum Of $3.50. Mary
smiled to herself in anticipation Of
the surprise that she would see on
the faces Of the young pair.
On June q, two days before the
big event, Mary took the little metal
box to the restaurant with her. When
Jimmy and Elsie came in they greet
ed her more pleasantly than ever.
When Mr.. Barker came in he was
gruffer than ever. Mary herself was
almost happier than ever. Jimmy and
Elsie finished their lunch sooner than
Mr.. Barker.
Just as Jimmy reached for his straw
hat Mary placed the little box In front
OF him.
open IL" she said 10 Jimmy.
what b it's 1t for mef asked
Jimmy, puzzled.
mo" said Mary with a trace of
brogue, ats for both of you. Open
It." Jimmy lifted the lid. In the box
ne and Elsie saw dimes and quarters
several handouts OF them.
what on earth is thisT asked
Jimmy.
"Read the paper and see," answered
Mary.
There was little folded piece of
paper on top Of the coins. Jimmy
opened the note and read:
Dear Jimmy and Elsie: knew
back in February that you were going
to be married in June. And 1t takes
money to be married. So I've saved
all the dimes you left me as tips and
all the quarters that old crouch across
the way left me. He only left tips
SO he'd get quicker service, anyway.
''Tn this box are the dimes and quar-
ters-$9260. want to give them to
you both as little wedding gift in
return for the nice way you speak to
me when you come in every day. Good
luck to you both-and my blessing.
Very sincerely, MARY HOGAN"
Jimmy and Elsie could hardly
speak their gratitude, but each man
aged to mutter something. AS the
three Of them stood there the gruff Mr..
Barker looked at them with beetled
brows as though resenting their JOY
With final handshake Jimmy and
Elsie said good-by to Mary for a
week. Mary made 1t very clear that
only the presence of the other lunch
ers prevented her from kissing them
both. As she looked after the happy
lovers she said, quietly, to herself:
For there's nothing half SO sweet in
life,
As loves young dream"
whats thnt? said the gruff Mr.
Barker.
II was asking you If you cared for
any dessert today" replied Mary.
"No--none today" barkcd Mr..
Barker.
Mary smiled. She was keenly enjoy
ing Mr.. Barker's Ignorance of the fact
that all his quarters since the middle
Of February $2250 of them-had just
been carried out by Jimmy Dale.
When Jimmy got back to the office
he had chance to count the money
He discovered an error in Mary's ac-
counting, for instead Of $3.50 the sum
was $85. He had ten minutes left
of his lunch hour, and he hurried over
to the Mayfower. Mary was wiplng
off the marble top of n table when
Jimmy spied her.
Miss Hogan, there was $35 in that
box, instead Of $3.50"
"Sure know IT," said Mary, smiling.
"The extra $3.50 is a little something
from me. It'll buy something's
only bit Of lingerie for your bride
to-be."
by George, you're brick" said
Jimmy.
mo" answered Mary Hogan. mo,
I'm only q girl who almost got mar
ried herself-once,"