Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-02-09
MARY
BY AGNES q. BRooAN

Copyright. 1929, Western Newspaper Union.
Natalie raised her arms above her
head, and the jeweled bracelet that
kennetli had brought her flashed in
the sun.
Kenneth had spent the last few
months in Europe. Kenneth was al
ways travelling about, spending money
in lordly manner. Natalie frowned,
and Aer pretty face was drawn into
lines Of despair. The rich widow who
had come on to visit Natalie's mother,
sighed.
My dear" she exclaimed, 'this is
world Of trouble. Sitting here, and
rejecting on my own recent sorrow,
could almost wish myself in the
place Of the carefree Russian girl, in
your kitchen. Her horizon, no doubt
is chiefly bordered by the aluminium
coffee pot. her greatest concern, keep
ing II ashine. DO listen to her voice,
Natalie; really such boisterous singing
shocks my ear drums
Natalie shrugged.
"And The girl understands 50 little
English, that it would be useless to
tell her 10 moderate her joyous tone.
She would probably think l was com
plimenting her instead, upon its
range
Mary is good and willing, but like
most commendable people, disappolnt-
ing.
Natalie jumped up and went over to
the window. Then for an instant her
frown vanished, while a smile OF eager
sweetness curled her lips A young
man was coming up the walk-a man
Of earnest face and purposeful bear
ing AS his dark eyes met Natalie's,
he bowed gravely without returning
her smile.
While he waited for the maid TO re-
spond 10 his ring the widow turned
10 the girl
MY dear Natalie" said said. how
long do you intend TO allow that mas
terful young Stewart to hope on in
his fools paradise?" You know
well--your mother and / have dis
cussed the subject-that you could
never be satisfied as poor mans
wife Don Stewart Is Enthusiastically
poor. with no promising future ahead.
With your good-natured father sup
plying your every whim, how could
YOU later be content without decent
clothes to wear?-with odious house
work TO dor
Natalie suddenly laughed.
Maybe she retorted, I'D be sing
ing over the washing Of a coffee pot
like Mary
But when Don Stewart came into
her presence she received him coldly.
Love is all right" she kept telling
herself. hut love alone will not carry
one over the rough places Of life. She
must be firm, She told herself reso-
lutely against the sincerity of Don
Stewards charm.
When Don Stewart had gone again
down the garden path, his head bowed
and his eyes Swallowed by sorrow,
Natalie went out to the kitchen TO
hush Mary's song Mary greeted her
adorcd lady with diSlrming affection,
Fastening to touch her soft lips to
Natalie's palm. You like-my song?"
she asked in happy misunderstanding.
My man, he like it, too, cause it's
bout lofe, it gives, he say, 1ofe's in
the giving"
Slowly Natalie repeated the words.
Love is in the giving"
$50 you. too had a lover, Mary.
Tell me about him"
HE come to dis country" Mary
said stolidly. "Then he send back for
me to come marry him. come.
Leave rice home in Russis-beeg
kitchen, clean. No nice here. My
man, he get seek, poor. l no care,
happy. LOfe In the giving. Then
my man die quick Me and the baby
all alone in strange land. Woman
take care of my baby. l work. l
earn money. Lofe In the giving. /
see my baby Thursdays. l wash,
iron his little clothes"
Mary stretched wide her roughened
hands.
bdby so Deeg, She SAID proudly.
Natalie rushed forward the arm with
the jeweled bracelet caressed the for
eign girls neck.
"Oh Mary" she cried, land still
you can sing
sure | sing" Mary answered II
make happy for my baby, for him
gone"
Natalie was at the telephone.
Don" she said, TREMENDOUSLY sweet,
81 will 20 with you for that drive to-
day And Don--I want always to be
with you-anywhere. There's your
answer
Beautiful Cuban Tree.
The rose apple is one of the liz