Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-07-22
MARY ANN
BY LILLIAN ARDELl.

tel 1870. By Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
When Mary AIMS father died he
left behind plenty OF good will toward
himself and his family but very few
worldly goods. There was the home
stead, heavily mortgaged. and many
bills receivable. His best traits, good
humor ana forbearance. which had
gained the love OF his townspeOple had
made OF him an easy creditor and a
lax collector. When his wife spoke to
him on the subject he would drawl.
wal. think heap more OF Hiram
Jones good feelings toward me than
l do OF the $40 he owes me-"
SO this was the state OF affairs Mary
Ann had to face-many half forgotten
bills as assets She carried the big
book Of accounts out TO the hammock,
so that she could enjoy the golden
autumn day while she worked. Sys-
tematically she started at the begin
ming TO take a list OF her debtors As
she worked long gray roadster sped
by and young man jauntily waved
his cap. Mary Ann tossed her golden
head What right has pestiferous boy
TO think he can wave at any girl, just
because he happens 10 drive road
ster, she thought rebeliously.
AS she pored over the accounts,
she was amazed with the age of the
unpaid bills. One, In particular had
been incurred almost - years before.
As she looked at the name she shifted
disgustedly. Jan Worthens," she
SAID aloud No more tlms for him"
Everyone koew - Wor,hsrc ia
most prosperous farmer in the county,
and everyone secretly envied him
JAMS son and two daughters had al
ways been to boarding school.
Two weeks later the mall man had
an extra load of business like looking
envelopes, addressed in a round. girl
ish hand. There was bill for every
debtor, and "a little letter asking for a
settlement. Yes, there was even one
for the cold and unspproschsble Jan
WOrthens.
Mary Ann waited for results. A
week brought few checks and many |
promises. but nothing from Jan |
Worthens, the biggest debtor. A few |
days later when Mary Ann returned |
from town. her mother handed her a
letter. ITS from Mr.. Worthens. dear.
do hope there's check in it." Mary
Ann tore IL open eagerly. but her face
fell as she read it, Mother. he says
that the bill Will be outlawed tomor-
row. and We'll never get . cent on It,"
Mary Ann was quiet and thoughtful
the rest OF the morning and after
dinner she put on her things aud
started toward the village. Her
mother shook her head. and told her
SELF FOR the hundredth time. that Mary
Ann certainly was n problem
She walked rapidly. ss was her
habit when she had definite purpose
10 accomplish. She was thinking so
ieeply that she didn't hear the whir
'f an approaching motor. and was
lutte startled when a long gray road
'ter slid few feet beyond and a
'heery voice said. Want Ilft?" She
vas about To accept gladly. for she
I'LL had another mile 10 20. when she
emembered that "a young girl should
lever accept ride with strange
'oung man. SO She gracefully de-
lined. and the roadster slipped ont
4 sight around the bend.
Al last she came in sight Of Jan
VorihenS' farm She could see I'M.
len little farther ON gathering the
unpklns into great piles Soon she
anne up 10 them. There WAS the gray
ondSier. and the gOod-lOoking young
river was talking with Jan Worthens.
larry AIMS heart gave a big leap. but
be was determined TO accomplish her
urpOse.
she walked up 10 The nearest pile
pumpkins and picked up the largest
ne. oh sir =" she eVrluimad "uiu II
Oh sell me this pumpkin? II is quite
IL largest I've seen" Mr.. Worthens III
yelled with pride and jumped at the
nance To get fancy price That's
mighty big one miss couldn't
I'll II for less than one dollar" III
All right" said Mary Ann. 'TU II
,u owed nv father am Mary Ann II
ackett. And you may send the rest
Nv time"
Mr.. WOrthens' face grew crimson.
ne young man OF the gray roadster
ughed aloud
As Mary Ann started down the road
overlook her I'm Dick Worthens." II
said. You surely put one over on
~. But that pumpkin Is too heavy VI
r you to carry. Let me take il home
r you. and you may come along To
ia II. If you wish" Fatigue over
led Mary AIMS prejudice. and She
cepted n
Ihat was not the only ride she took
DICKS roadster. and year later
their wedding day Jan Worthens
ngratulated his son on winning such