Contrary Mary

He rose, and his head was up. "All my life, I have wanted just one

thing which has been denied me--and that one thing is you. And no

other man shall take you from me. I suppose I've got to set myself

another season of patience. But I can wait, because in the end I shall

get what I want--remember that, Mary."

"Don't be too sure, Porter."

"I am so sure," lifting the hand which was weighted with the heavy

ring, "I am so sure, that I will make a wager with fortune, that the

day will come when this ring shall be our betrothal ring, I'll give you

others, Mary, but this shall be the one which shall bind you to me."

She snatched her hand away. "You speak as if you were--sure," she said.

"I am. I'm going to let you work and do as you please for a little

while, if you must. But in the end I'm going to marry you, Mary."

At dinner Mary announced the contents of her letter in the long

envelope. "I have received my appointment as stenographer in the

Treasury, and I'm to report for duty on the twentieth."

It was Aunt Frances who recovered first from the shock. "Well, if you

were my child----"

Grace, with little points of light in her eyes, spoke smoothly, "If

Mary were your child, she would be as dutiful as I am, mother. But you

see she isn't your child."

Aunt Frances snorted--"Dutiful."

Gordon was glowering. "It is rank foolishness."

Mary flared. "That's your point of view, Gordon. You judge me by

Constance. But Constance has always been feminine and sweet--and I've

never been particularly feminine, nor particularly sweet."

Barry followed up her defense. "I guess Mary knows how to take care of

herself, Gordon."

"No woman knows how to take care of herself," Gordon was obstinate,

"when it comes to the fight with economic conditions. I should hate to

think of Constance trying to earn a living."

"Gordon, dear," Constance's voice appealed, "I couldn't--but Mary

can--only I hate to see her do it."

"I don't," said Grace, stoutly. "I envy her."

Aunt Frances fixed her daughter with a stern eye. "Don't encourage her

in her foolishness, Grace," she said; "each of you should marry and

settle down with some nice man."

"But what man, mother?" Grace, leaning forward, put the question, with

an irritating air of doubt.