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

A4nOAACSC3 tl1C AAetll w tl5 uOb NlI6SS6u III lI6
fashion which had become familiar to
me, and that fashion, Of a surety, was
the most charming that ever occurred
to the mind of ingenious woman. But
still the picture had enough of her to
be for me the most beautiful thing in
the world, save only her sweet self.
had stolen it. She was stopping with
the Luttrells, with whom I spent my
holiday at Sandybar, and Madge Lut-
tren was great friend Of mine. She
had detected or foreseen my devotion to
Maud, think, even before it revealed
itself to me. At any rate, I knew she
would be discreet, and, trusting to her
clemency, had stolen the precious pho
tograph out of her album upon the morn
ing when left Sandybar
had soon finished the meal which
stood ready for me and from which
had been kept by Dicks note and by the
emotions resulting from its perusal.
Then | found my hat and stick and my
very largest pipe and set out across
London to Dick rooms The place was
in darkness and untenanted when en-
tered, but | knew that he would not
fail me and struck match to discover
if he had left note to tell me when he
would return. Back at g." it read.
Meanwhile, there's baccy and a new
Stevenson. -
1t was now upon the stroke of z, SO I
lit the lamp, found Stevenson and pre-
pared to spend an hour pleasantly The
time passed most happily. At last laid
aside the book and filed my pipe
walked across the room to take a spill
from the mantelshelf and in moment
found myself gazing at the photograph
of Maud Cameron-the girl loved, the
girl hoped to marry.
TWAS in frame of deliberately beaten
silver, already somewhat furnished by
tobacco smoke, and beyond doubt was
portrait of Dicks fiancee.
l turned away from the mantel-her
face looked forth upon me like stran-
gers out Of that frame-and took my
copy of her photograph from my pocket.
/ laid it upon the table in the full light
of the lamp. 1t had not all her beauty;
her loneliness was half of everchanging
expression, and so must needs escape
the camera. But still the picture gave
the lie to all the overwhelming evidence
which had crushed my faith in her. For
a moment l was content. He might &C
count himself master of her love; might,
if it pleased him, believe that no man
disputed with him the kingdom of her
heart. For a moment, despite all evil
dence, believed that she was still true
to the unspoken fact between us, that
she could not betray me.
There was sudden sound of footsteps
on the stairs, hand upon the door, and
even as | thrust back her photograph
into my pocket the door opened and
Dick entered.
Hope you've not had long to wait, -
he said 81 had to be out for awhile -
"Not long, . answered. "And now,
I suppose, must congratulate your
Dick laughed. "Do you only SUPPOSED
| am the luckiest beggar in the world
But, never mind, you will see her some
day, and then you will speak differently.
You will envy me, madly, for in
deed But we'll wait until you have
met her. Only promise you you may
safely venture your congratulations
Here is her photograph, by the bye,
wretchedly bad one, but still not all I'M
like. "
He moved to the mantel and handed
me her picture, inclosed in that abom-
Unable frame Of his / took it from him,
and for minute and more gazed hard
upon her face.
1t is all true, kept whispering to
myself "She has betrayed me-
Dick watched me in silence, evident
ly convinced Of my admiration. In reali-
ty was wondering whether it would
be better to tell him that we had met
Presently he broke silence. "Well,
he said, holding out his hand for the re-
turn of her photograph.
"You are lucky" answered slowly.
She is very beautiful. "
aye" he said contentedly, ''but
you don't know how beautiful That
photograph is libel. I"
He put it back upon the mantelshelf
d4A0 GC1COpO0 L0Cn LAC oOACtOLCO
himself in an easy chair.
you two must know one another
indeed she is already eager for your &C.
quaintance 4"
was steeled, thought, against all
that he could tell me, but upon this
well nigh betrayed myself. Had she adj
mitted that her fancy for mel knew
that she did come near loving me-was
dead, could have borne my burden I'M
complainingly and might have forgot
ten. But that she should deny that it
had existed-that she had ever known
me-that was past liberation.
"They live at Brighton, " Dick con-
tinued, $50 that we are not too far
away to visit them. You must come
down some day with me. want you to
know her."
There are times when 1t were unwise
to be sincere.
II shall be delighted, /" said even
while I reviewed the excuses upon
which / should be able to rely in the
event Of his some day rendering more
conversation into other channels, and in
little while, somewhat to the disgust
of my friend, who had much to tell, /
left.
About a month had passed when
had note one day from Mrs. Luttrell:
DEAR Mr.. MoRTIMER-We have taken tickets
for the Lyceum matinee on Saturday, and
three or four friends are to meet us there. !
wonder If you are free that afternoon and
would care to meet us and go with us to the
theater. Yours very truly,
FRANCES LUTTRELL.
1t was miserable, foggy day, and
half feared they would not come. But
though their train was somewhat delay
ed they presently arrived, and we took
a cab along the Strand Madge looked
unusually pretty and greeted me with
disappointing cheerfulness. Ihad count
ed on little sympathy from her, but
her aspect was one of rather mischie-
vous enjoyment 1t would have been
timely enough if she had held in store
for me some very delightful surprise.
She even referred to a matter which
had hoped for month past had escaped
her observation.
II did not think that you would de-
scend to theft, +" she said. II would
have given it to You. And, of course,
you have discovered your mistake. =
We were entering the theater as she