Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 June 1907 — Mary Weaves a Cangled Web. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Mary Weaves a Cangled Web.

By HELENA SMITH DAYTON.

OopyrighV MWT. by M.M. CapnlngK^n-

You see, It happened to4be my boose! “Good night, Mr. Dwyer.” Her foot tapped the lower step nervously. “Bat, Miss Hasleton,” I protested, "allow me to see you quite to yonr own door." "Here I am!” waving her muff airily toward my house. I almost gasped. ‘ “Isn’t there some'mistake?” I ventured. “Did you imagine I lived In a tree, like Peter Pan?” She laughed, doubtless thinking I was awed at the splendor of her abode. ’ This gave me an Idea. Perhaps the poor child had humble quarters and In her pride sought to play a ruse. Bather Ironical that she should select my house! My acquaintance with Mary Hazleton had consisted of many encounters at my cousin Belle’s studio. A couple of Philistines, we often chatted in Belle’s cozy corner, drank Belle’s tea and amused ourselves watching Belle’s guests—all alleged celebrities. Indeed, we talked of everything but Miss Hazleton. Nor did Belie seem to know much about the girl, which was not strange, for Belle often took up an attractive girl, made her welcome at the studio and pressed her Into service as a model. Belle, like all extravagant persons, has her own ideas on economy. On this particular evening I had chanced upon MlsS Hazleton hurrying through the streets and had taken it upon myself to see that she arrived at her destination In safety. After walking blocks, often retracing ground, I was naturally puzzled when she stopped before my own door and coolly Informed me she was “home.” I had hoped some time to offer It to her. “Good- night, Mr. Dwyer, and thanks for coming so far out of your way,” she said again. * “May I not see the princess enter In safety?” I asked, thinking Uiis would

bring her into a very small comer Indeed. "You are too solicitous, Mr. Dwyer,” she said sweetly. “I think I will sit on the porch a few moments—alone.” *% too, like to sit on porches,” I hinted. “Come up then,” she invited promptly. “But you mustn’t disturb my’’— The sentence trailed off. I was charmed with her daring. I wanted to tell her one might shout without fear of disturbing old Martha, who was “doing” for me until mother and the servants returned. I sat down on the top step. Listening to her clever chatter, I advanced theory after theory to myself to explain her motives. Even when a possible plot against the sliver spoons suggested itself I couldn’t judge her harshly. A lady burglar! Well, we’ve had some mighty pleasing ones lately —ln books and on tire stage. I was on the point of offering myself as a confederate against my own silver when she once more said: "You really must go now, Mr. Dwyer.”* “May I come again?” I queried. _ “I’ll see you at Belle’s,” she eluded. “Belle sails for Europe Wednesday,” I reminded. Mary looked dismayed. “So I may come up here Instead for our usual chat on the arts?” “No, no, no!” she cried. “Do I Infer that you wish to drop the acquaintance—when Belle sails?” I persisted. “No, dh, no!” “Then I shall hope to find you here tomorrow—much more romantic than sending in one’s card and all that sort of thing,” t explained lamely. “I love unconventional things,” agreed Mary, suddenly enthusiastic. I walked briskly dbwn the street, stopped at the first shadow and looked back. Mary came down the steps and walked away in the opposite direction. I followed at a safe distance, and then my calculations were upset by seeing her turn In at the residence of the great Lombard brothers. She disappeared very neatly through a basement window. All the way home I whistled "Mary Was a Housemaid.” Next morning I learned rim Lombard housp That evening when I joined Mary on the porch she was confident to the point of arrogance, perfectly at her

ease and played the role of hoetae* with great aplomb. From my vantage point, bow pathetic seemed an the little airs and graces she assumed! Perhaps the poor child didn’t even have a home! In spite of almost positive proof I could not believe her a thief. Surely there was some mistake. My speculations were brought to an abrupt ending. A, carriage had whirled up. My mother alighted and came rapidly up the walk. Mary arose, a little gakp of consternation escaping her. Her little plot had Indeed caught her In a tangled web. Fearing she might run away and I should never see her again, I put my hand firmly on her arm and whispered to leave It all to me; that I knew everything. I greeted my mother, and then I placed Mary’s hand within hers. “My dear boy!” cried my mother, and In an Instant she took Mary in her arms. What happened In the next fifteen minutes 1 have no idea. Mother was the only one who seemed at her ease and delighted. It bad long been her wish that I marry, and she had, of course, fallen In love with Mary at first sight, accepting my choice without question. Finally I got Mary safely Into a cab. Then she turned to me, with dancing oyes. “To think I stole your piazza!” she giggled. “I never dreamed Mrs. Brooks was your mother. .Of course I knew she was away.” I was silent A repentant tearful attitude would have been more in keeping with the circumstances than such flippancy. “I—l hope you are not angry,” came a muffled little voice. “And I—l appreciate what you did to save me from a humiliating position. Please give me credit for understanding why you gave your mother the idea that we”— “But we are engaged!” I interrupted. “I was never more serious about anything. Believe me, It was not done to save you.” - “You want me without knowing anything about me?’ she queried radiantly. “Oh, I can deceive you no longer! I’m Mary Hazleton Lombard, the Lombard brothers' niece.” “Why, then”— I began, with unutterable relief, not because she was a great heiress, but because she was not a lady burglar. “They had plans for my future,” explained Mary. “Believing that I was romantic enough to marry a fortune hunter, they selected the one man of their acquaintance they believed worthy. Fancy!” “Do you suppose I can convince them of my sincerity?’Tasked gloomily^ “Convince them?’ cried Mary. “Why, you are the man!" Now I understood the many social Invitations which the taciturn old men had heaped upon me. And I had turned them down! “But why did you Invent such elaborate obstacles?" I demanded at length. "Do you Imagine I’d allow them to arrange it all in their way? I’m not a billion bushels of wheat to be disposed of. I should have hated you If they had thrown me at your head. And I Uked you the first day at Belle’s. Of course I swore her to secrecy.” As I mounted the Lombard steps with Mary I remarked, “But wasn’t it Jolly of mother to accept you—as I did —at face value?" “As it happens," murmured Mary sweetly, “she has been plotting with my uncles to bring us together! But haven’t we defeated all of them?” She smiled contentedly, her hand slipping Into mine. I

“COME UP, THEN," SHE INVITED PROMPTLY.