The Lamar register., 1920-07-07

|
to a curious reaction against the gruf
man who sat opposite. She decided
TO save each day the quarter tip the
erufY Mr.. Barker left her and also
| saye the ten-cent tip that Jimmy+eft
| TWENTY-FIVE cents from Mr.. Berker was
| no pinch at ALL Jimmy and Elsie. by
comparison Of incomes. were far more
| generous, she figured. Mary Hogan
then decided to save Jimmy's dime
| and Mr.. Bsrker's quarter each day un'
| Ill the end of June.
The months went by. as months In
earlably 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
] tltied 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. II was TO
be June ls-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's quarters for 30 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 27, 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 It," she said to Jimmy.
What Is It's II for mer asked
Jimmy. puzzled.
NO" said Mary. with a trace of
brogue, "it's for both OF you. Open
H." Jimmy lifted the lid. In the box
he and Elsie saw dimes and quarters.
several handfuls of them.
what on earth il thisY' asked
| Jimmy.
Read the paper and see." answered
Mary.
There was a little folded piece of
paper on top Of the coins. Jimmy
opened the note and read:
Dear Jimmy and Elsie: I knew
back In February that you were going
| to be married In June And II 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
80 he'd get quicker service. anyway.
"In this box are the dimes and quar-
ters-s32.5O. want to give them TO
you both as q little wedding gift In
return for the nice way you speak to
me when you come 10 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 grufr Mr..
Barker looked at them with beetled
brows as though resenting their JOY.
| With final hsndshake Jimmy and
Elsie said good-by TO Mary for a
week. Mary made IL 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 sweet In
life.
As loves young dream"
WHAT'S thatf' said the grufr Mr
Barker
II WAS asking you II you cared for
any dessert today" replied Mary.
"No-none today" barkad 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-s2250 Of them-hsd just
been carried out by Jimmy Dale.
When Jimmy got back TO the Office
he had a chance to count the money
| He discovered an error In Mary's ac-
counting. for instead of s32.5O the sum
was S35. He had ten minutes left
Of his lunch hour. and he hurried over
to the Mayfiower Mary was wlping
on the marble top of a table when
Jimmy spied her.
Miss Hogan. there was sS5 In that
box. instead OF $3.50"
| Sure I know It," said Mary, smiling.
The extra $3.50 is q little something
from me- It'll buy somethlng-if
/ Is.u.x4. Tor vnur htfI..-