The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-04-13
LEADING HEARTS.

| OF WISDOM
"That means love, laying her finger
on the five of hearts, ''eternal love-the
love of some woman. It looks like an
old friend, and she runs in hearts,
think Yes, she is quite light. Can you
place herr"
"As far as the coloring goes, he
laughed. 81 know any number of light
women-yourself, for instance
"Oh, I'm not in it'll My hair is too
yellow. This one is more of the demi-
blond; something like Miss Maitland
bronze hair and blue eyes .
my dear girl, Miss Maitland isn't
blond at all. If you can't do better than
that for me, I'll throw up the whole
concern"
She smiled and ran off a few more
cards, counting every third one in quite
a professional manner
"Well. if it's not Miss Maitland"
shaking her head, "you will have to fill
in the name yourself There is the ace
of spades. That's bad luck and death
and Oh, there's your wishl Have you
made wish?"
He shook his head. "You didn't tell
me-"
''Well, tell you now. Make it right
away, and good one, too, for I believe
it's going to come true. z"
''But, I" he protested, leaning forward
and resting his arms on the table, eff
make such an important one / want a
| A7.or - :
to meP"
Don't be absurd, Jack; this is seri-
GUS. Now, wish something good"
"Must tell you what it is?''
''No," doubtfully ''You don't have
to, but you can if you want to.
Well will tell you if l get it.
Now, mind, this is very important"
"Select three cards then. Does it con-
Germ womanP''
eyes"
81 might have known it. Is she light
or dark?"
"That would be telling"
"Oh, you are too provokingp' petu-
lantly picking up the cards. ''It would
serve you right if 1 said you didn't get
| your old wish at all"
''But you won't do that?''
''Be still. will if you don't let go
of my hands. Seel You are making me
drop all the cards "
''Nonsensei I'll help you pick them
up. Just tell me if / get my wish. I"
''Well, I'll see. There's that ten of
diamonds, and the deuce, and-ah, the
ace of heartsi You will have it, sure,
but there is little disappointment just
| at first. I see-dear me, Jackl What are
you doing? Let go my hands,
"Not until you have given me guar
antee for my wish. I"
What do you mean?"
II mean-oh, well, you have known
it all along. You are my wish. No, no,
don't move. Come, dear, be serious with
me for once.
"But don t want to be serious, - she
cried, trying to draw away from him.
'You have spoiled all my fortune
Lookl Here see gift coming
"What do 1 care for the cards or any
I thing else in the world but you? Come,
NELL Give me an answer. You must
have some feeling Of kindness in your
heart for me, your old friend
"That's it, she whispered faltering-
ly, for the first time letting her eyes
meet his. "We are such old friends I
have known you all my life-I -" rub
bling her hand on the table nervously,
II am fonder of you than almost any
one, but how can tell if that is love?
Jack, dear, can't we go on in the old
way? don't want to marry" Her fin
gers closed pleadingly. why should we
spoil it all by getting married."
He made quick, impatient gesture.
'Oh, yesl know it is different with
men, but would be contented to live
on just as we are for years. Why, seei
We would never know what it was to
tire of each other. We would not have
all the romance brushed off our love by
| the monotonous intimacy of married
life We would have all of the delight
with none of the despair dom know
| why marriage should be regarded as the
height and pinnacle of earthly bliss 1t
seems to me it is the one great institu-
ton that destroys love-"
She gave restless sigh and let her
chin sink into the soft palms of her
hands The pink light from the lamp
fell upon her yellow hair, where it lay
in babyish rings on her forehead.
He stood looking at her a moment,
his heart smothered with pain and long
ing and love. Then he leaned slowly
forward and took both her hands from
| her face and held them in the firm clasp
of his.
"Nell, DEAR" he said softly, lyon
talk this way because you don't know
what love is. Why, do you suppose for
a moment that a mere pleasant compan-
ionship would satisfy man who loved
you? He would be only half man to
accept what you suggested. As for me,
/ cannot go ON with our friendship. I
will not take crust when l have asked
for bread. You cannot help it, dear, and
must drop out of your life and live my
own as best I may"
He dropped her hands, and, turning
away, began to finger mechanically the
little string that regulated the lamp I'M
til the flame began to flicker and finally
went out.
81 beg your pardon. I have a match.
I can light it again." he muttered has
tily.
She watched him in silence as he
struck light and with a steady hand
once more sent soft glow over the
room.
Her eyes travelled to his face, with
the light shining full upon it. 1t was
strangely still She felt peculiar little
fluttering sensation in her throat
"Jack, /" she whispered falteringly.
He turned in sudden passion, and
catching both her hands drew her near
to him-so near that his white face was
almost touching hers.
She did not move, but deep flush
crept over his tanned cheeks, and his
arms frightened convulsively. The force
Of his clasp crushed and hurt her His
face came nearer, nearer. Their breaths
mingled Then, with a sharp exclama-
ton, he loosened his hold-so quickly,
SO suddenly, that she almost fell back
| ward.
Forgive me, . he muttered hoarsely.
Don't speak to me. Good night. Say
good night to your mother too"
He pulled aside the curtain with a
rough hand and stepped into the hall
She could hear him getting into his coat.