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

to the world at large, but to you, as an
old friend''-
looked at Gwen. Her eyes were still
contemplating her tea. eyes, suppose
1 am an old friend, replied dryly.
Then I screwed up my courage and said,
"Well, who is heP''
She blushed. ! thought she was look
ing remarkably pretty.
'Leycester, I" she said softly.
"Ah," l exclaimed, as if the whole
mystery had been solved, ga titleP'
Gwen gave a nervous little laugh.
Lord LEICESTER is very nice. Don't you
think sop
"There's no harm in LEICESTER,
replied Hes only stupid. -
She shot an indignant glance at me.
II think he's very nice, she said,
attempting to impart an air of convic-
ton to her tone.
''You don't seem to be very positive
on the point It is all very sudden,
added. ST have not heard even a whis-
per. 4"
Gwen looked rather embarrassed.
1t happened last night" she began
sat the duchess dancer
The duchess was Leycester's mother,
an awe inspiring parsonage.
EYES," she replied. "You see, moth
er''-
81 quite comprehend, broke in.
"Your mother and the duchess have
been lunching together lately. Heaven
has not monopoly in the making Of
marriages.
1t was ridiculously simple. Gwen
was an heiress, Mrs. Beresford was am
bilious. and the LEICESTER family deriv-
ed their income from Irish estates-a
derivation that was every year growing
more fanciful in its results.
cts pity" began Gwen, toying
with lace handkerchief, "that''-
81 haven't title? Exactly" I said,
rather trusquely.
She appeared not to have heard the
remark.
At one time Gwen and I had seen
lot of one another, and / felt that an
other straw in my favor would have
brought the matter to happy termina-
OAOAs AOWOFOA, Az was AOb W O0, dt11u
now Mrs. Beresford had taken the mat
ter into her own hands, and Gwen had
probably been allowing her tongue to
trip lovingly over the pretty name Of
Lady Gwendoline LEICESTER until the
present arrangement had been arrived at.
81 suppose, " she said, thinking it ad-
visable to change the subject, II shall
500 &r,,,, =
YES" said. "And now I must be
going" added, lingering for a mo-
ment, hat in hand. II have to see a
physician. -
II thought you were never ill?'' she
said anxiously. "What is it?''
"An incipient attack Of profound
melancholia, replied as 1 took my de-
parture.
went home to dinner and afterward
strolled round to the club, thinking that
smoking room gossip would be pleasant
er than my own reflections. spent the
remainder of the evening there, and it
was striking IL when / stood on the
steps, contemplating whether I should
walk or ride back.
"Going home, Temple?" said voice.
I turned. 1t was young LEICESTER.
"I'm your way, if you're walking"
he continued
Yes . said, and he linked his arm
within mine. He commenced to talk
about himself, being quite young.
''I'm an awful fool, Temple, y he said
presently
glance at the fair, boyish looking
face and mentally agreed with him.
GIVE come frightful cropper, he
continued.
IF you will play baccarat with cap
tains' who have forgotten the name Of
their regiments, remarked, ''you
must expect to come troopers. .
"And dare not tell the duchess, - he
exclaimed. 'tShe has advanced me all
she can spare already. I don't know
where to raise another penny, and
shall be sold upl''
began to think of Gwen.
'The worst of it is" he went on,
the duchess has arranged a marriage
with pretty little heiress. The engage
ment is to be announced tomorrow, and
I shan't be able to carry the thing
through l haven't even the money to
buy ringi'
"Do you wish to marry?' asked
quietly.
''No," he said impatiently "She is
nice enough girl, but it is not in my
line. What am to do? The duchess
will simply eat me when she finds out
the true state of affairs, and if / can't
make some sort Of settlement by to-
morrow shall have to bolt. It's COM
Portable position to be in, !" he concluded
dismally.
reflected. Gwen would not marry
me even if this precious young idiot
did 'bolt," SO / might just as well as
sist in giving her the title she coveted.
"Leycester. said, ''what sum will
settle your creditors for the moment and
enable you to carry the marriage
through?''
He thought for moment.
Five thousand pounds would do it.
Why?"
Because, / replied, believing that
fool should sometimes be helped in
his folly, shall have much pleasure in
lending you that amount !"
LEICESTER looked at me in amazement
Temple, " he cried, you're good
'unf"
We returned to the club, and I wrote
him out check. 1 left him chatting
with Barton Fenwicke, a gossip, who
spent large amount of time retailing
information he had picked up and in
venting much which he had not
The next evening went to the Fem
wickes' dance. 1 had not been there five
minutes before espied Gwen talking
with Alice Fenwicke. strolled up to
them. A waltz was just beginning.
''Are you free for this?" I asked
Gwen as man came up and claimed
Alice.
Eyes" she replied. "But you don't
want to dance. Come into the conserva-
tory"
glanced at her in establishment. She
seemed narfeotlv serious. led her to a