The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-07-25
letter back to Evanne, saying:

me- You please see that she puts 1T
in the envelope, won't you, Evaline,
dear?"
"Yes," said Evaline, wondering why
irene was so particular about tritie,
and considerably nonplussed at this
unexpected turn in affairs.
To tell the truth, her imagination had
been conjuring up scene In lrene's
room, of which she was to be, am
sorry to say, an unknown spectator,
through the keyhole, possibly, In which
her sister was to tear open the envelope
with trembling fingers, remove the in
closure intended only for her private
perusal, after glancing over which with
agitated look and manner she would
hastily thrust it into her bosom, and
then, composing herself, bring down
stairs the deceptive letter, which was
so worded as to be admissible of a
reading by any of the family.
But here was Irene delivering the
whole thing over to her mother without
opening it and securing her own secret
missive.
$50 he is going to Florida for the
winter?'' casually mentioned Mrs. Mid
dleton the first time she met Irene
after both had read the letter.
Eyes, / believe that was what he
said, was the Indifferent answer
might as we'll l suppose" com
mented Mr. Middleton when he had
heard the news in the evening. From
what can hear he has no business to
sacrifice, and il his aunt wants him for
a companion she Is able to pay for his
time"
by the way" he remarked to his
wife next evening, when he came home,
that letter you mentioned from Red
mond suggested something, and / have
written him to-day asking him to take
charge of those Florida lots of mine,
and do the best he can with them. He
can't, of course, construe that into any
encouragement of whatever fancy he
may have for Irene"
mo, should think not" said Mrs.
Middleton. ct won't give him any
excuse to write to her7" she added. with
rising accent and hesitating tone.
Certainly not, certainly not" said
Mr.. Middleton, emphatically. Its a
purely business matter between us.
The idea would be piece of imperti-
nence."
Irene manifested no outward interest
when it w as casually mentioned to her
that her father had put into the hands
If John Redmond the disposition of
some real estate he had purchased in
Florida. Later, when she and Evaline
we're alone together, she said to her
sister:
'You are quite little business girl,
aren't you, dearP bringing all the mail
srom the Office and opening papa's let
tiers for him at his desk. 1t seems as
though am good for nothing but to be
ornamental. Since you are so useful
70 papa. would you be willing to extend
your usefulness little and help sister,"
"Of course would" answered Eva
line. "What do you want me to do?"
"Why," said Irene, Pm going to try
10 be useful and economical. I'm gong
to make one of those paper cushions
I've read SO much about; stiff paper that
will curl Ike shaving is the best
Would you mind bringing me the en-
velopes from papa's waste basket, and
be sure and bring them all, because
shall want great many"
Evaline was only too glad to be hon
ored with this commission by her sister.
And the paper cushion must have pro-
crossed famously, judging from the
quantity of material furnished by this
willing assistant.
Winter sped on, and fashionable So
ciety In Iredell was in its dizziest whirl.
Receptions, parties and matinees de-
manded the attention of the beautiful
and accomplished Miss Middleton.
But while she shone as belle in So
ciety and attracted many desirable
suitors, ii was observed with some dis
appointment upon the part of her
parents that while she was agreeable
to all she seemed to encourage no one
in particular, but rather to hold all her
admirers at distance.
II don't know what she MEANS" said
Mr.. Middleton in disappointed tone to
his wife one evening. Every girl ought
to think of marriage and settling down
in life as the mistress of her own home.
She won't have these eligible offers
forever. Can it be that after all Irene
~. .ae;.rC 1ree, but she has her mind
set on some"
you men are so impatient and rash, !"
chided Mrs. Middleton. "You don't
understand the other sex at all. Leave
the whole matter with me.
81 confess have been somewhat
mystitied myself, and, if there, were the
slightest ground for it, should have
thought Irene had become the victim of
an infatuation for that handsome, pen
niless young lawyer, she seems so fitful
and absent-minded sometimes and at
other times SO flushed and excited.
But then, you know, there has never
anything passed between them, except
that incipient love-malting which we
so successfully nipped in the bud by
cutting short our stay at Elm Grove"
81 hope so; don't know" said her
father. Appearances are SO deceitful
sometimes, especially In young people
of her age. wish could be sure of it.
Anyway, her golden opportunities are
flying by"
Mrs Middleton had to confess to her
self that evening that she felt just
shade of uneasiness also. But,
pshawl" she exclaimed to herself,
there is no ground for it, am sure, as
far as John Redmond is concerned ]
must have talk with her"
A day or two later she did have
talk with her daughter; and, when the
Importance of her making some choice
of suitors was mentioned, her mothers
quick eye detected some slight shade of
pallor.
When she paused for the want of
anything more to say on the subject,
and waited for Irene to answer her,
the response came quick enough:
Mamma, don't care enough for any
of them for that, and am sure you
would not want me to encourage young
gentlemen for whom did not care"
But" expostulated her mother,
young ladies usually manage to find
some one for whom they can care. II
would be strange If you should be an
exception to the rule. Do you mean to
say that you have never yet felt what
it is to love?"
A quick blush mounted to Irenes
cheek and bright CLEAN to her eye
which she could not conceal, her lips
stammered as she sought to frame an
answer.
"No-no-no-that is, mamma
ought to have told you long ago, per-
haps-I do love some one else who is
not here"
"You amaze me, daughter" said her
mother, quick suspicion arising in her
mind. "Your father and / certainly
ought to know whether the object of
:, our affections is worthy Of them"
But l knew that you and papa dis
approved of him on account Of his pow
erty. And oh, mamma, had learned
to love him so dearly that l could not
stop loving him"
uVVho9D questioned her mother some