The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-06-16

| HE months went by, as months In.
Variably do. The end OF June was
only week away and Jimmy and
Elsie became more engrossed in each
other every day. Mary Hogan felt JUS
tilted III catching n 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. 1t was to
be June 1S-a week away. That night,
In her little room, Mary Hogan count
ed the silver In little metal box.
.Iimmy's dimes for 100 days and Mr..
Barkcrs 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 81, 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
Mr.. Barker.
Just as Jimmy reached for his straw
hat Mary placed the little box In front
OF him.
"Open It," she said to Jimmy.
'What Is its 1t for me?" asked
Jimmy, puzzled.
''No," said Mary, with trace of
broguc, dts for both Of you. Open
IT," Jimmy lifted the lid. In the box
he and Elsie saw dimes and quarters,
several hantlfuls Of them.
"yhat on earth is this?" asked
Jimmy.
"Rcad the paper and sec," 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 thnt 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 lcfe me. He only left tips
SO he'd get quicker service, anyway.
"In this box are the dimes and quar-
ters--$32.50. l 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 muttcr something. AS the
three Of them stood there the gruff Mr.,
Barker looked ut them with bcetled
brows MS though rescntng their Joy.
With final handshakc Jimmy and
| Elsie Said good-by to Mary for a
week. Mary made it very clear that
only the presepce 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 80 sweet IN
- life.
AS loves young dream"
"Whnts that7" said the gruff Mr..
Barker.
II was asking YOU If YOU cared for
any dessert today replied Mary.
"No--nonc today" barkod Mr..
Barker.
Mary smiled. She was keenly enjoy
ing Nlr. Barkcr's ignorance Of the fact
that all his quarters since the middle
OF Fcbrunry-$22.5 Of thcm-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 S:}2 30 the sum
was $50. He had ten minntcs left
Of his lunch hour, and he hurried over
to the Mnyhowcr. Mary was wiping
of the marble top of table when
Jimmy spicd her.
Miss Hogan, there vas $50 IN that
box. instead of $32.5O."
"Surc know It," said Mary, smiling.
The extra $3.50 is litte something
from Inc. III buy somclhing--if
only Il bit Of lingerie for your bride
to-hc."
"By George, you're brick" sai8
Jimmy.
NO" answered Mary Hogan. mo,
I'm only girl VINO almost got mar
ricd hcrSclf--oncer"