“ MARY MARY QUITE CONTRARY.”

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4295, 2 March 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

“ MARY MARY QUITE CONTRARY.”

iii.v .1. iidii. '■•'Oil morning, 11-;, /' ;1i <i i jit; yo lie "iluiln," r-;iif 1 Ala ry. calmly, nol 1r.',..A1i i <i;y I n g i ve ii i ,!i her Imijii. “i'-ouiul )or the villa"*,-/" In- n-i-iiiiw■ *l. .-Iv-i-rluily, hi- gbim-fil up the string ~-ig banging uoai her wrist us much us ro , ■> , " U U lift'll il'-s «11 [I;.1 j 0! I,' "ii I. gmng to Ilf ,1. lowly liny,” )|f I I liou-il v.ol ii ii view to prol ungj ug (be i fr-'f ' ion, on ('--oili'ii 1 bough i! was. "' M '-fid ii;f !;irl, Sinking about •• r wit I) fii cx(;i f'-ioon which being Iraiisi- .-U nif.ifi ” ny fool firn that. ■‘ii :i ,ro/dorfiil weather we’re him.; u’vserved lir .Maxwell. "It's really delightful to Ijp out on a morning Jiho H. . ■'i -i■ 11 it would lain ” raid Maty, ■'lii'.iir.- \Vb,v?" “Oil. I i'vd, wish it uoiii.'l I'.iin. Id ■ I must lif going, (iood-bye.'' ••Mu.y I walk ,viili .voiif” a-k-d A. well. waU-'iing li*-: - hn-e in a rather an;.; .-as 111 ri 11 n i-r. ‘"i Jii. if yon lil'.c,” ciur.f the somewhat mi":-,0-ioir-, ifpiy. “(Jut J’m in a ltm':y." '! || |;j I c-'filfil together il inuidl'fd ya". Is "i i > I'irc (If donor si,-o!:e again. "li'd '.im (oi|oy yourself last night ?" hc askf.l. '’till, ye-:, it v.'asi a, splendid ilam sin- i.i.-- va-reil in a, tone which her c aiI'f111o!i look Vo he enthiisiastic. “I was sorry I couldn’t lie tiicre, Ala: lie said, regretfully. '• You missed a treat,'’ slip remark' d <. re'M’ln glad you enjoyed il.' lie said, w ill no attempt al elifcri'nliifsH. "lint, oi i": 11 rs". you al ways appreciate Unit sue id filing." "(lli. I'm jusl like oilier girls.” “i wish you were," In- said under os lil'lM I li. “ VV si.il '?" ”1 wish urn were going (o the com id to-u ift 111' “I (lout. I half amateur concerts; I'.cy are so di cndfii 11 y stale, (iff pardon, I forgot I hat von were going to sting, Dr Milwell, “Dim'l apologise. Hut. why ‘Dr uidl:-'’’ ” Isn’t tha t your name “ A on nscil lo call me—or—Toddy. - ' " f used to do a lot. of things,” said Ah,-y, wills thy air of one who lias reached ihe summit, of wisdom, and looks com place'iti.v down on childish follies loft below. "Do you think you have improved I - " i till aired Alas-well, considerably rutiled. “Gerlainl.v,” returned Alary, with c.nivielion. “Don't you think I’ve improved. Dr .Maxwell'’’ she asked, in turn, “1 -I'm not finite sure.’’ ho rejoin- d. feebly. “Of course, in Die matter of uppea ranee " ■‘.'Pool'l” said Alary, contempt non -y. “I've no small change. There was a line opportunity for a, snub here, lull: the young man was too far gone in love lo take advantage of it. fie gin,;<> fd al. the girl’s face and sighed. “Deal - me!” said Mary, with mock f.'oapiithy. "VonTe an. ill-used man, aren't yon . . . Toddy?” .Maxwell brightened at once. “No; I'm culy an idiot. Hut, 1 say, Alary, won’t yon came to the concert to-night;”’ “Couldn't dream of doing such a thing!'-' she i (.'turned, lightly. “Besides, Tommy Denver is coming to our house to-night. I might bring him to the concert, but he can't bear music.” “Hut I've heard him rave about your singing.'’ ‘•.Have yon?” said Alary, sweetly. “(’•.•?- hups he makes an exception of me. fin's a nim; Ixiy, and has been so successful. Dancy having a gold mine of one’s own.” Maxwell groaned in spirit. “Dal I ever show ymj the bungle lie g ive me- all made oaf of little nuggets?’’ <aiilinued the girl. “No? Then I must firm if you some day. If was awfully good of him, wasn t it ?’’ “Very,'' mid the doctor, stiffly. “''.'as Air Denver at the dance lust night?" lie asked, as an afterthought. “Ilf was the best-looking man tln-.-e. and he was in such demand,’' said ,M.- y. smiling at some recollection. “He's a lovely waltzer, yon know." '“Were yon fortunate enough to have a walls with him i" inquired the doctor IV ai the depths of his torment. “Only seven/'’ returned Mary, modestly. “Only seven!’’ echoed Mnxwpll, hopelessly. “Well, it may have been eight.” "Mary!’’ “What’s the matter now?” “Do yon know what you’re doing?" “doing to the village, of course/' “Don't picvnricatp. Do you know what’ you're doing to me?” "Mary tinned her blue eyes upon hi a. and stared in calm innocence. “What am I doing lo you?’’ ■‘A'ou'ro -- von’re - oh, hang it !■— ■.lathing I” “What an extraordinary speech!" Pale with his mingled emotions, the doctor remained dumb until the village was reached a few minutes Inter. Then lie look nut his watch. “f must got hack at once," he s./.1, awkwardly. “Thanks so much for coming so far. Dr Alaxwell. said Alary, with crushing poll:r>nnss. “T hope you will enjoy the cone-rt to-night. I’m sure your songs will be delightful. Afi.ss AfcTavish plays ncromp-i-i----ineni.s so'beautifully, does she not? Go-.d-hye.” She smiled charitably, and wot on her errands.

"Serves him right," she said to herself, as site waited for some parrels at the ; ■, , icer's. That odious Miss McTavish, ( ■;> J [f it hatl been anyone else, I shouldn't have minded. Goodness mt! .1 should think not! The worst of men is that they imagine they can have any girl to ani’isr themselves wivh. It's all very well for Teddy to say that he had to go to the McTavish’s every night for three we a’s to )iraetise his songs. Why, at the v'.invert last year, I played his accompaniments without any rehearsals at all—hardly any, at least. tint what does it matter? t used to like Teddy as a friend, hut now I ■” “Your change 1 , min,” said the grocer, interrupting her reiiections. Mary set out on her homeward walk, her siring hag full to overflowing with groceries. “t wish you would bring tlmm with you. Mary.’’ her mother bad said: "we can't wait till the van comes in i he ■afternoon." And the girl had dutifully agreed, lint it was warm work trudging under the blazing noon and over the drily road. ‘‘What a pig Teddy was not to live waited for me.' she observed, inwardly. “Poor Teddy !" she sighed a. moment after. “How I hate him," was her still later remark. But she had not proceeded much furßrnr err she caught sight of the object of her haired advancing towards her at a -swirgiug pace. ‘Dear old Teddy," she said (o her.- df, I won't by nasty to him any more, Farcy the boy coining hark to meet me over i ills long road after the way 1 have iielirrod to linn. I’m a wretch.” On his approach, she greeted him v ith a bewitching smile, which froze on her lips as lie tramped past her with an cur, "Awfully hot. isn’t it?” Mary was perfectly stunned, but our. for an instant. It Hashed through her u led that, sue could not afford to be be; leu with her own weapons—that, after all --he could not hear to los'e Teddy. She pron.nt1\ dropped her r bag of groceries and uttered a little cry of appropriate disc av Tbe doctor heard the- taint crash and' ex(damalion, but did not oven turn his lead "Doctor Maxwell!’’

Still, affecting deafness, he strode "Teddy:’’ The tone was distinctly imploring, and Maxwell quickly 'retraced his steps.

Alary was standing looking down C>l a conglomeration of provisions of which e--»s were-obviously an ingredient.

"What a mess!" said the young rliable iii restrain a smile.

’’lth nothing to laugh at!” said Hie girl, offendcdly.

"What did yon do that for?” asked ’laxwell, as he turned the contents of the nag oil( cm the road.

Aiitiiyx>aLiv/n, ihu -V* cin:ii ua.T" icaur «/ic? knowledge of her guiltiness. “I suppose you’ll have'to trot Inn.!: to lhe village again,” he remarked, “il you hurry up yon can have my company. Mary choked back an exclamation. The impertinence of tin.- man! Hut she raid “Thank you,” finite. humbly. Tim undamaged goods were return:-! lo the hag, and the twain nro-.-eded vi. , rd:-: lor He second l ime Hint in.-no/ng. ’( here was a dearth of conver.-alion al .Hut. M <ry tint uncomfortably shy—a new lion for her', and Teddy had made iiy bis mind to accept the lesson he had n-" dve.-i an hour before and lo I tow with tin- ■ grace to tin- inevitable. “ Vou’ra surely very bum- 1 h/V «ior;. .'■ -aid {!:<• girl id Icnglh. "(Jli jn.-f as usual. Dor, al. the mo." ~;;t. i'm on the way to try to procure a • u'o--oliue for .Miss AlcTi.rinii. .She's g-t (ho mumjjS. and, of course, can’l apprrr a! the concert to-night." "Poor thing!” exclaimed Mary wiili gentle syiuputby. '•Ve-:, it's lather laud loifs. She nd:.;!it have waited for a day or two,” lie added. “Oh, fiow unfeeling yon arc!'’ said !iiiimipanion. "She's such a, nice girl. i.. 0.” "HVell. but she’s upset al! our a'lracgemenls, you see. Goodness knows how we an- going to get anyone to lake her pi.me. I’m going to try the minister’s wife, in l.'icf. she is our only hope.’’ "Airs Maegregor is away for this week. I nmt (he minister I his morning.” "Then the show can’t go on,’" said .■.laxwell. tragically. "Don’t bo so despondent.' "It’s nil very well to say that. Marc., Hut if you were running' the show-•oh. i confound it, f wish I had never taken ! he j I long in hand.’’ j "Suppose," began Alary. ■‘Haven’t time.’’ said Maxwell. I “ Hut suppose I ’’ I "You?" j "Took Aliss AlcTavish’.s place.” I "Aon don’t: mean it. Alary?” "Of course. I only said ‘suppose.’ j "Hut yon will. Yon will —won't nm, Mary? ) didn’t dare to ask yon. you know.’ I

"Well, after all, I think I’d better nnl/’j said Alary. "I was forgetting about Toiuj Denver.’’ Maxwell bit his lip. ‘‘Why did you let me boner" be asked, reproachfully. "Dunuo,” she returned lightly. “Oil. Alary, Mary, do you ever know your own mind for five minutes at a time ?” “How rude you are, Teddy. I always know my own mind. That’s no reason why I shouldn’t change it now and then, is it?” "Oh, you torment me. Do you Know, Alary, I once imagined I cared for yon." "How funny.,’’ said Mary with a laugh on her lips and a suspicion, of moisture in her eyes. "Fortunately,” began Maxwell, maddened by her flippancy. Fortunately ” "Ob, Toddy," she exclaimed involuntarily. "What is it?” he inquired abruptly. ‘•'Oh, it’sjust—nothing,” said Mary, turning her head away. "Fortunately for me,” lie went on steadily. "you showed me my folly in time.” ‘ "In time,” echoed Hie girl in a sir.-,age voice. Yes; I’ve got the better of my folly, and since this'morning, at any rate. I’ve fell "Oh, Teddy. Teddy, how can you sneak to me like that?” “I thought, it better that yon should know. But there’s nothing for you t.i be sorry about. I’ve got over it.” “Ob, Teddv. how mean and horrid of you!” she "cried, with her face in her hands. “What?” Alary halted by the roadside and turned her hack' upon him. ‘■Mary’!” said the doctor in amazement. “Go away,” came the reply in a murHed voice. “There are sure to be some people coming, Alary. I’m awfully sorry I’ve offended yon, hut do let ns move on.’’ She paid no attention to him. "Don't cry, dear.” sa : d Maxwell, tenderly. ’■l'm not worth it.” "I’m not. crying,” said the girl, giving him a glimpse of rosy cheeks and wot iiluo eyes,

“JJorr’t, Teddy,” whispered Mary, v.-ith-•ont stirring. "-Vo, deiir/’ .said Teddy, doing it again, whereat she sighed contentedly. ’•flow well you seem to have gut over it/ 1 observed -Mary, strewing at a billion I on the doctor's coal. J “ ’lOuTe Cjirite sure you care tor i.Varyr’ a-ked M.iviveil with a, tender ! anxiety. | "I didn’l say so, did Ir" This wilb a ‘ radiant smile. ; "VVe'J. say it nor, - ’ he cried, dnn.’lng , her eloter. I ‘'.Vo, M isi cr Teddy, 1 shan’t." ; "!3ut ■.vinil am 1 to believe, deart' j " W'.batever you like,” (die ventured, wiiu ; sweet meaning, stii! twisting the bull"u. i "Oil, Mary, bow wonderful i( i-!' j "It's funny, isn’t it, Teddy’;"" I •' Von hi never be serious." 1 "Oh, yes. 1 shall- some day.” ! "It's strange bow filings eorne oft in !hij world.” observed (be doctor thoughffn 1‘ . I ‘‘Yes, isn't iir” Said Mary, bolding n[i 1 (he hiitlnn.—"< I’ysgow \Vee!:ly lleiakl." i