The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-08-22

he knew she nhu sPOhcHs Ouey OhOuBh
he was staring right at her, he had not
seen the motion of her lips.
Yes" he continued, the clouds had
a heavy appearance as day left us and
were massed in the western sky. Be-
sides, the weather bureau predicts more
rain"
And you argue from all this that we
are going to have rain-must have rain,
to be exact2" A quizzical expression
stole over the stony countenance.
Poor Frank By the most innocent
remark he had laid his neck on the
keen edge of this young woman's
satire. He squirmed in his seat, he felt
stupid, uncomfortable. Would Sarah
never come?
Ten minutes more passed and again
the unbroken silence became oppres-
sive.
Have you lived long in Detroit. Mr..
Johnstone2"
For second only her face took on an
expression of interest; its object was
beyond question to induce an answer
from the visitor.
Frank was her equal in age, but he
was the babbling brook, she the deep
pool
''Oh, nor he exclaimed, pleased that
she should have SO altered her mannerin
his favor. 81 came from Wisconsin,
and this is the first city have ever
lived in.
'Ah, then you are from the coun-
try?" There was world of meaning
in this remark In it was conveyed an
avalanche of the disdain she felt to-
ward anything and anybody not used
by lifelong residence to city forms.
He had sense enough to perceive this,
even though his lack of divination had
led him into the trap.
He was vexed, but he was too much
of a gentleman to show it. He con-
tented himself with sitting still and
gazing idly at the carpet A football
on the stairs aroused him, and he
Strengthened up, then arose with alac-
rity to greet the girl for whom he was
ready to make great sacrifices Her
smile and the warmth of her hand
clasp were reward enough for the dis
comfort he had undergone.
The opera was a good one, and the
two returned home with the pleasing
melodies ringing in their ears. But
when his head rested on its pillow at
home and the doings of the day passed
in review before his mental inspection,
the vivid impression formed of Miss
Matilda intruded itself before all else.
Sarah, he knew, stood in awe, almost
dread, of her; in conversation never
mentioned her name; in herrpresence
was abashed, constrained. Her dark,
be-spectacled face seemed to peer
through the gloom into his, and actual
lv frightened him. Why" he asked
himself, ''are such people placed on
earth?"
Invitations were issued for an even
ing party at the Bennett home. Frank
tombstone read the address on his en-
velope and instinctively inferred whence
it came.
OF course he went to the party. 1t
was a happy gathering of young peo-
Pile; they had cards and dancing and
ices and made grand time of 1t alto
gether.
But somehow Frank could not enjoy
his evening. His lady love was there,
radiant and full of life. But that dark
cloud, casting gloom about her wher-
ever she moved, was there also, and she
more than offset her sisters brightness.
Like forbidding speeter she sat apart,
with folded arms Now and then the
close observer could detect tho curl of
her lips and feel the glance of con-
tempt. Frank was in an observant
mood, and he saw it; he knew his was
the better nature, but he felt he was
in ONE respects her inferior; he hated
to acknowledge it, and his glances to-
ward her were defiant, but not unmixed
with fear He was glad at its ending.
| He vowed he would never again sit
in the presence of that unnatural young
woman.
Two nights later he called at the
Bennett home, and was met at the door
by Matilda He had walked on air thus
far, his mind full of the pleasantest an
ticipations, his face the picture of good
humored happiness. The sardonic and
the human met, and the human was
vanquished; the smile was swept away.
Not word from her; with a disdain-
full toss of her head she motioned him
TO a seat in side room. There he sat
for a full half hour in darkness. lie
was nonplussed. Surely Sarah must be
absent. he thought, and while he looked
into space and nclxed his brains the
door opened softly and the motherly
voice Of Mrs. Bennett broke the still
ness.
sarah is very sick. The doctor is
with her" was all she SAID.
Frank trembled with an indetinable
dread. The perspiration sprang in
great beads to his forehead and he felt
weak
Cannot be Of some assistance2" he
asked, in IA voice husky with emotion.
Not now. In few moments we
will know what it is But | can see
from the doctors manner IL is serious. "
And she left him in mire of doubt
and despair.
Soon he heard voices In low CONVEX
sation in the adjoining room. He crept
TO the door and listened. A masculine
voice was speaking now. II was the
doctors.
ut is diphtheria. There is hope, but
she is delirious, and the case is grave
one" he said.
With a dread cry he burst from the
room and ran toward the sick-bed, but,
quick as he was, there was one quicker.
"Stand back" she commanded, and
Frank, more the inferior now than