The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-04-06
A COMPROMISE.

sessed ample food for reflection. AS we
ratified over some stories st. Croix sud
denly shouted in my ear:
You'll see her tonight, Ingram"
had returned from the country that
morning. Still deep in my thoughts.
replied:
mo such luck. She is hundred
miles from town, and"-
I stopped abruptly, as I caught 6
glimpse of his face. Fortunately he had
not noticed my observation. 49,"
continued, grasping the situation, you
have once again decided that the femi-
nine interest in your life should be cen
tered in one?''
Ingram, old chap, - he said solemn.
ly, Sits serious this time. Il had
heard this remark made before under
similar circumstances
II sincerely trust it isl'' replied.
A good looking, wealthy man, past
80, has no right to be unmarried.
''This has happened while have been
away?" I added
He nodded.
"And the maiden isl I began.
: st. Croix actually looked confused.
"Well, she's hardly he said awk-
wardly, "that is-of course she's young
well, the fact is, she's widow"
glanced at him reproachfully.
"Any-er'-
''No, no, !" he replied hurriedly. "Of
course there are no children. Why, man,
she's only young herself-husband died
in India-fever, snake bite or some other
handy thing Of that kind. Oh, no" he
went on, with smile, 81 couldn t do it
if there were any childrenl'
''Have you actually proposed to her?''
''Not yet, :" he replied thoughtfully,
"but feel that it is as good as settled.
Ingram, he continued, with an air of
enthusiasm, "she's adorable. She''-
my dear ST. Croix, said, ''these
condolences remind me of the good old
days"
"Ahp' he replied, with sigh. ''This
is no boyish flirtationr'
''By Jover' he cried as an idea struck
him. ''You two will get on capitally to-
getherl Having both been in India, you
will be able to-
"Chat about her husbandG'' I sug-
gested.
ST. Croix looked serious.
"Poor child'' he said in compass
sionate tone. 'She must have been very
unhappy during that time.'
1t is strange how men generally refer
to their wives first marriages in this
way.
"We are admirably suited, " he con-
tinued, his face lighting up. 81 am 80,
and she-well, I should say she is %.
A man should be year or SO older than
his wife "
Eyes" agreed. "she is very young
for widow"
much too young, replied st. Croix.
That's one reason why she should
marry again.
True" 1 said. "How long has it
been going on?"
He considered for few moments.
II first saw her, +" he said slowly, "at
10 minutes to on Monday last week, .
My dear fellow, 1 exclaimed, ''you
must hurry up matters. The lady will
positively weary of the courtship.'
Just then the cab drew up with a
jerk.
Here we are" said St. Croix.
Jump outr'
After greeting our hostess we sepa-
rated. Several people of my acquaint-
ance were there, and had to go through
the usual number of duty dances. Pres
emily l saw st. Croix coming toward
me.
Ingram. he said, taking me by the
arm, "come with me- -
There is nobody so exacting as the
man in love.
She is waiting to be introduced to
you, he said as we made our way to
the conservatory. Here, in a secluded
corner (for st. Croix was experienced in
these matters), we found the lady.
Mrs. Fordyce, " said St. Croix, cal
low me to-
Mrs. Fordyce''
I looked at her, then burst out laugh
ing.
"Dr Ingramr' she exclaimed
'You know one another?" cried st.
Croix, with puzzled look.
why" said, II have known Mrs.
Fordyce since
Eyes, DR.. Ingram and are quite old
friends, !" she interrupted, with glance
at me-
understood.
''That is jollyp' St. Croix said heart
lily.
II am not sure that Mrs. Fordyce
agreed with him entirely.
The strains of waltz came through
the open doors. St. Croix looked at his
'BotherT' he cried. TITS my dance
with the daughter of the house. Will
you kindly hook after Mrs. Fordyce, In
gram?''
II should be delighted, replied,
and he hurried off.
As soon as he had disappeared l turn
ed to Mrs. Fordyce.
"It's all very odd, remarked.
"What?" she queried. 'That you
should turn out to be the friend Mr.. ST.
Croix has been talking to me aboutf''
l smiled, the quaintness Of the whole
matter seeming infinitely amusing to
me.
NO." said; THAT you should be
the lady whose charms he has been de-
scribing to me. +"
She blushed. gazed at her critically.
Pom my word" I exclaimed at
length, sit is positively marvellous to
think that it is close upon
"That is just what don't want you
to think, doctor, . she interrupted.
''But, my dear Mrs. Fordyce, you ac-
tually look younger and more beautiful
than you did when we were together at
Simlap'
She laughed
ave have always been in the habit Of
speaking plainly to one another
eyes, / agreed. 1T saves time. +"
She gave me nervous little glance.
"Oh," l said reassuringly, 81 am
your friendr'
She was playing with the edge of her
fan.
ga woman is only as old as she
looks, she observed, and l was mar
ried at an extremely early age. "
st. Croix was perfectly justified in
his estimate-25 he told me" said,
with laugh. but that is a detail
The thing that will surprise him most
will be the fact that Glare existsp
She looked at me with smile.
All, you have met her at the Ros-
Goes; ?"
Eyes; 1 found my little 10-year-old
sweetheart of Simla had grown into
dainty young lady of 1871 How is it, " ]
continued, THAT St. Croix is ignorant
of her existence?''
"Well, he assumed l had no children,
and II could not summon up enough
courage to tell him afterward. You see
what difficult position am in?'' she