The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-03-09

spoke, anu GAere was mOmenUary press
of people, and affected not to have
heard her speech; indeed / was not a
little angry. Her clumsiness was OBJ
viously intentional, for I was well
aware that she in nowise suffered from
want of tact.
A moment later we were being shown
to our seats.
"Will you take the inside seat?" said
Madge, and moved obediently to the
last vacant one, next to the lady whose
face was turned from me. l was Just
taking my seat when she turned and
looked up at me. She had the grace to
blush, for it was Maud Cameron, but
there was no tremor in her voice when
she spoke moment later.
"How do you do?' she said politely,
and in the same words l answered her.
Presently she leaned a little nearer
and spoke to me in her soft, pretty voice:
you have nothing to say?' she said.
You may talk, you know"
turned to her with look of desper-
alton. Why could not she leave me to
myself? II had forgotten, 1 said. 81
must congratulate you-or Dick, at any
rate.
"Oh, " she answered smilingly, ''you
may congratulate me also Do not fear;
it has happened marvelously well. "
"Marvelously wellp' l echoed.
eyes" she continued, land particu-
larry in that you are his special friend.
1t is SO nice for the wife when the hus-
bands friend is nice But why didn't
you tell him you knew the Luttrells-
and me?''
I stared at her, incredulous of her
cruelty.
"How could I tell him?'' I said indig-
nantly. "You had denied acquaintance
with me, and, since you had forgotten,
do you think wished to rememberP''
l was trife startled at the effect of
this speech. 1t should have silenced her.
thought so at least, but it seemed as
if had injured her, and now greater
indignation than my own arose in her.
ut is not true, :" she said. what do
you mean? l saw him only fortnight
ago, when returned from Sandybar,
and I distinctly remember telling him
that day that l had met you there.
Mother did suggest that he might bring
you down one Saturday; but, of course"
I interrupted "'You only saw him
fortnight ago? Why, tits full month
since he told me you were engaged.
And yet you have known him only
fortnight"
She looked at me with sort of pitt
full amazement.
He told you he was engaged to me?
Why, he's engaged to Mary. my sister.
And besides'-
A new life entered into me. The old
hope lived again. Yet was convinced.
HE showed me your photograph, 1
said.
She looked at me moment Slowly
the bewilderment faded from her face,
and it appeared she was nightly
amused.
did he tell you my nameg' she
asked.
HE showed me your likeness and
told me you were engaged to him. I
dom remember if he told me your name.
But there was no need 1 do not forget
SO easily"
Maud chuckled. There is no other
word.
"You have seen the photograph be-
fOre?' she said.
II stole it out of Madge Luttren's al
bum the day was to leave Sandybar.
1 thought
Surely it was a little curious to
steal the photograph of lady. you had
never met, for it is to Mary, my sister,
that Mr.. Ferguson is engaged, and it
was her photograph you took from
Madge's album. She is considered rather
like me- :"
was stunned with the sudden joy
and with the sense Of my great stupidi-
ty. knew that her eyes were upon me,
and l would have given worlds to be
with her for a moment only, away from
this great crowd Of people.
II burned it, y said, "a month ago.
You will give me one of your own?'
She answered nothing, and at that
the curtain rose But I was
well content. Exchange.