The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1894-10-02

] bll6 MOOAlo W bllO Aildlu IOtti-
AS he was standing on the bank, half
hidden by the underbrush from the
bend below, there came a rumble, the
tattoo of hoofs and merry song inter-
spersed with bursts of jocund laughter.
! A fourth hand coach swung along, all
alight with dainty colors. Such an ar
ray of pretty women and gallant menl
They might well be pilgrims of pleasure
bound for Calypso's isle. And on high,
in the rear, beating time with her Grim
son parasol III the very face of a Snug
and smiling swain, sat Alice.
Recognition gets its swiftest impulse
from dislike We may mistake a friend,
but we often feel an enemy before we
/ see him. Not that Paul regarded Mason
/ Welles in so serious an aspect. He sim
ply disapproved Of him with that con-
tempt which consoles the tortoise for
the gracefulness of the hare.
81 see that man Welles is here, said
Paul to Alice when they met in that
domestic forum, their room.
''Eh? Ali Yes, oh, yesl'' she replied.
''Will he remain longP'
''I presume so, . continued the young
woman mischievously.
Paul colored visibly, despite the exer-
tions of the sun. He felt ridicule the
more because he was utterly unable to
return it in kind Some fond, true ma
lures cannot change, except through
CONFUSION, and then they change radi
cally. The nearest shade of difference
from caress becomes a downright
blow Alice proceeded hurriedly, excus-
ing and thus accusing: 81 know you
will be pleased, Paul, to hear me say
that l like this place so much better.
The people here are impossible Of
course, except for a spelling bee or
funeral, but there is such a right jolly
party staying over at the Naples, friends
Of Mr.. Welles, you know. They were in
despair for a ohaperon until they found
me. Now, just keep on fishing and give
yourself no further concern regarding
my welfare We take a moonlight sail
tomorrow night, and Saturday we drive
to the Summit, with dinner at the Half
Way House. So be a dear, fussy old
bachelor all you please" And Alice
fitted from the room humming a snatch
of the song to which she had beaten
time so blithely
Paul stood before the glass with his
collar half fastened. There was com
ical expression of CONSERVATION on the
reflected face, which made him laugh,
but not merrily. "a fussy old bach
elorp' So such was the verdict on his
endeavors as a model husband Perhaps
a man could work more steadfastly and
plan more cautiously and give more
generously than hel Doubtless that
grinning idiot whose eyes ought to begin
to water for the wringing his nose
would surely get was a more fit object
to be loved, honored and obeyedi Come,
now, If contrariety was required, by
Jove, he would furnish It'll
Old and fussy, indeedl When, two
years since, he had been in truth bach
elor, only his absurd ideas of devotion
had kept him free from many charming
allurements And now, after the sixth
collar had been appropriately sacrificed
to his choler, Paul finished his labors
and descended to the piazza quite salts
fed with the results Alice was no.
where to be seen. Doubtless she was
rehearsing those duties which should
save that right jolly party from despair,
but there was one of the Mantell twins.
Sophronia, the geologist, looking mighty
fine, too, and smiling timid greeting
to him such as man of his distinction
merited He drew chair to her side
and began that analysis of the weather
which is the sherry and bitters to
friendly chat. After he had gulped this
decoction Paul continued: II can't re-
member to have ever before seen you
apart from your sister. You are the in
SEPARATES, you know"
Abigail was engaged with tire
some seamstress, = Sophronia exclaimed,
land / really felt the need of tue air,
and SOL
"And so my lucky star brought you
hither, !" interrupted Paul gallantly.
Yes" murmured the girl, lit was
fate that united as once more. -
Paul started and flushed with amaze
ment. What the deuce could that
meanP Was this one of those highly re-
spectacle and decorous Manten girls
whom he had often been fain to hold up
as examples to Alice? Yes, he could not
doubt his eyes, however much he might
his ears, although she seemed changed.
Her glasses were off, and there was
tender expression on her face, as if her
back hair were becoming undone. She
was leaning toward him, too, as if in
need of that holding up" process. De-
cidedly shift of subject was neces-
sary, SO that he might gain an interval
to think.
tits about time for that dinner bell
to ring blurted the wretched man.
Don't mention time, dearest,
breathed Sophronia, when we have an
eternity of bliss before us. "
Paul sprang to his feet aghast and
gasping Really, Miss Sophronia, real
ly Miss Mantell, this won't do at all.
You must excuse me if / leave you at
once. There is some dreadful misappre-
tension What if any one should over
hear? Thing
Yes " agreed Sophronia, staying his
arm, you are right. We must dissem-
BILE. But let me go, not you. Here comes
Abigail Your greeting will allay her
suspicious. Farewell until kinder
hour. Be our watchword secrecy and
trust" And with smile which Juliet
would have deemed unseemly she trip
ped away.
Poor thing" he soliloquized, poor
child So young, so fair She has gone
crazy, and evidently / alone am aware
of it Now, what is my duty? Hodges,
the proprietor, who has the girls in spe-
cial care, is away for week. But here
comes Abigail How composed, how
sensible her bearingl must break the
sad intelligence to her Luckily her
strong mind will temper grief with
good Judgment.
And yet, even as Paul resolved, there
was certain unwonted sprightliness
becoming apparent in Miss Abigails
approach which caused vague apprehen-
sion.
my dear young lady," he began,
and his nervousness lent ardor to his
words, ~ am inexpressibly thankful to
see you. There is subject, delicate,
closely intimate, on which | must
speak.
YES" whispered Abigail, with
downcast eyes, II think l under
stand''-
'fYour sister''-
"You fear she may suspect? Yes,
there is danger We must be cautious.
We must dissemble. We must meet as
strangers -
Good Lord" groaned Paul.
'"There, darling, don't be inpatient
/ know it's hard, but perfect trust is
such courage Remember our motto in
the dear old days, 'Semper Fidelis. ;