The Era-leader. [volume] (Franklinton, La.) 1910-current, 1921-11-17
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
MARYS STRATEGY
BY CHRISTINE HAYES.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
11snV' I7I9, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate0

paused in its various occunations a
warm interest in each others affairs
nelng characteristic of il.
You don't mean that Jacks amt
mas come to her sensesT demanded
Airline.
NO" Mary replied cheerfully. 81
simply mean that she's going to-"
What" exclaimed the entire
group.
Eyes" said Mary, dropping into the
morris chair and unfolding the news
paper she had been waving. Listen
to this:
acknowledgements. Must be
ladylike and congenial. Musical edu.
cation preferred. Agreeable speaking
voice required. Apply Tuesday after
three.
"*MIss LUCRETIA B., Is
Road"
interesting" admitted Tom; "but I
don't quite see the connection"
swell, Mr.. S." aeHa Mary elabo-
rately, 81 trust that YOU are familiar
with the synopsis-namely, that Mr..
Jack B.. favorite nephew of the rich,
but eccentric Miss Lucretia, is madly
In love with one Mary s., but perverse-
ly refuses to marry her because she Is
endowed with more worldly goods than
he. Miss Lucreia might easily rem
edy this deplorable 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 marrles her. Yoa are,
presume, acquainted with these
facts?"
"You just bet I am" returned
Tom, with a comical air Of patience;
"but what has the ad to do with it"
simply that If Aunt Lucretia were
to really know me, I just know she'd
love me-" said Mary with mock COM
placency. Furthermore, I think I'd
make her an admirable companion.
And" she finished seriously, "Jack
has told me so much about her that
! know / really will love her, so t
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 scruples."
"Good grip cried Tom admirlngly,
you'll do 1t, all right"
Huh, that's just like you! Be
perfectly lovely to her, after all the
trouble she has caused you and Jack"
Airline scolded.
"The truth is," replied Mary, II think
she worshlps Jack and is Jealous at
the thought Of his marrying anyone
OF course" she laughed, II 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 q good one. Are you going to
| tell Jack now, or wait to see how
things turn out7
"Well, Jack is dear, OF course, ouf
he's rather a worrier. 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.
Whereat the family smiled to itself,
for this was, inconsistently, the song
Of Mary's merriest mood, rendered
With a trilt that belied the text.
On the appointed Tuesday, there
were several applicants, but Mary.
neatly gowned, and with her unmistak-
able air of good breeding, was conspic-
uous among them. Miss Ldcretia Sc
| cretly loved golden hair, too, and
Mary's hair was golden. She had al
WAYS liked clear blue eyes, and Marys
ewes were clear and blue. Further
more, Mary's musical talents were far
above mediocrity, and her speaking
voice, Miss Lucretia noted, was music
In itself. 49,. :,
| In short, the fastidlous little old
lady fell in love with the girl at flrs'
sight. and In the months that followed
she did not regret it. Mary became
her confdant, and in her turn became
so much attached to Miss Lucretia thai
she concluded one Of her letters home
with a humorous: 81 can't bear that
Mary S."
m Miss Lucretia she was Mary Q.
and Jacks letters were forwarded t
her from home un1er that name.
MY nephew Jack Is coming hom'
on leave, Mary" announced Miss Lu
cretia over her knitting one morn
ing.
Mary already knew, but her near
skipped a beat at the thought OF I'M
surprise that awaited him, for she hae
not been blind to the purpose or MIS-
Iucretia's loud praises Of her nephew
and knew that victory was assured.
The little old lady's sharp eyes note'
Mary's heightened color approvinsls
and she congratulated herself as
matchmaker.
"Jack may think he likes Mary g..
she purred inwardly, "but just wal