Contrary Mary

Mary settled it. "Let me have it," she said; "I'll put in a few tucks

and a little embroidery--I shall be glad to have my fingers busy."

"You're always so occupied with other things," Constance complained,

gently. "I don't see half enough of you."

"You have Gordon," Mary remarked.

"You say that as if it really made a difference."

"It does," Mary murmured. Then, lest she trouble Constance's gentle

soul, she added bravely, "But Gordon's a dear. And you're a lucky

girl."

"I know I am." Constance was complacent. "And I knew you'd recognize

it, when you'd seen more of Gordon."

Mary felt a rising sense of rebellion. She was not in a mood to hear a

catalogue of Gordon's virtues. But she smiled, bravely. "I'll admit

that he is perfect," she said; "we won't quarrel over it, Con, dear."

But to herself she was saying, "Oh, I should hate to marry a perfect

man."

All the morning she sat there, her needle busy, and gradually she was

soothed by the peace of the pleasant room. The world seemed brighter,

her problems receded.

Just before luncheon was announced came Aunt Frances and Grace.

They brought gifts, wonderful little things, made by the nuns of

France--sheer, exquisite, tied with pale ribbons.

"We are going from here to Leila's," Aunt Frances informed them; "we

ordered some lovely trousseau clothes and they came with these."

Trousseau clothes? Leila's? Mary's needle pricked the air for a

moment.

"They haven't set the day, you know, Aunt Frances; it will be a long

engagement."

"I don't believe in long engagements," Aunt Frances' tone was final;

"they are not wise. Barry ought to settle down."

Nobody answered. There was nothing to say, but Mary was oppressed by

the grim humor of it all. Here was Aunt Frances bearing garments for

the bride, while Gordon was planning to steal the bridegroom.

She stood up. "You better stay to lunch," she said; "it is Susan

Jenks' hot roll day, and you know her rolls."

Aunt Frances peeled off her long gloves. "I hoped you'd ask us, we are

so tired of hotel fare."

Grace laughed. "Mother is of old New York," she said, "and better for

her are hot rolls and chops from her own kitchen range, than caviar and

truffles from the hands of a hotel chef--in spite of all of our globe

trotting, she hasn't caught the habit of meals with the mob."