The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-08-24
SHE PAID THE BET.

expression came into her face
"Well, girls, I am going away to-
night for three or four weeks.
"Why, for goodness sake, you're to
lead the german tonight at Kings"
"No. Tonigh6 I'll be away from here.
I don't quite know where, but I'm 60
ing anyhow. Won't You have some more
of this ice, Lucillep"
This was the source whence origi-
mated their numerous and varied con-
illusions. That night at the german it
was the theme of conversation. The
pretty girls were glad because young
Mrs. Page was popular; the stupid
ones were glad because it actually gave
them something to talk about, and be-
fore the festivities were over the ears
of the poor departed must have burned
like fire. In the meantime she tele-
| phoned down to Jacks Office: "Hellol
Is that you, Jack?"
eyes, dear.
well, you'll be surprised, but I'm
going away"
"Going? Where?''
Down the river somewhere, I guess.
I'll take Marie Why? Oh, it's just a
whim, Jack, but I know you'll let me
go''
81 don't suppose it would make much
difference what wanted. y
Now, Jack-well, the train leaves
at 5:04. You needn't come up here. Be
down at the depot and have some money
for me. Goodby. See you later. Got to
get my things ready"
She didn t go to get her things ready,
but she told Marie to. She sat down in
big chair and thought it all over.
81 suppose they'll all think I'm
crazy, and what on earth shall tell
Jack? Oh, I'll get to the station late;
then there won't be time to say any
thing Great heavens, only year ago
and how different things werel That
whole day comes back to me now like
dream, and I'd actually almost forgot
about it. But somehow when / made
that bet felt as though would lose it.
I'm married; SO I've lost. Cut my eye
brow off and send him the pictured
How silly But I'm game. I'll do it.
Oh, dear, won't I be ugly without an
eyebrow I wonder where he is now.
Poor boyl He really did love me and
p
Madame had better be dressing.
The trunk is packed, and it is half
past A..
'Have you ordered the carriage?"
cts ready, madame
Hello, Jackl Nearly missed it,
didn't I9''
"For heavens sake, Edith, where are
you going?"
"Oh, my, there goes the whistleI I'll
write you all about it, Jack. Goodby.
Be good" And the astonished Jack
stood just where Edith left him till
the train was out of sight.
Marie, look in my coat pocket and
get me that telegram. Thanks. Let's
see Why, he ism t in California at all
Chicagol What on earth is he doing
there do you suppose?"
did madame speak?'
:" No Go and read. .
"After all, this is very foolish, but
it's sort of fun to be foolish, anyhow.
Poor Jackl / really ought to love him
more; he is SO good to me. Oh, pshawI
Why can't people have money and
brains and all things that l like COM
bined? Now, Beardsley would have been
so nice if he hadn't been poor. nearly
thought he was nice, anyhow Who's
whistling that tune? / haven't heard it
for-dear me, I'm getting sentimental
But here we are
II want hotel out of town where 1
can be very quiet.
Chateau Rouge, ma'am, jist the
place. Only one man in the whole no.
tel, an he don't bother no one. He goes
moonin round all day We're arr
afraid he's a-goin ter do suthin desperit.
He"-
well, never mind. Get my bags. I'm
anxious to see the place. "
lis this it? Oh, Marie, isn't it love-
ly? We can be SO nice and quiet herel
No, won't come down to dinner. You
needn't either, Marie. Both meals sent
up, please. Yes y
That night, after long and loving
looks at that fatal eyebrow, she seized
Jack razor, which she had deliberately
brought with her for the purpose, and,
with gasp of resolution, it was off.
"Oh, you beauty, you fool Suppose
it doesn't grow again. Suppose it grows
white. But what's the good of caring?
I'm going to bed. I'm dead Then can
wake up in the morning and worry all
over again.
She woke up, though, before the
morning-just in the middle of the
quiet night.
whats that? Who on earth can be
playing the banjo at this unearthly
hour? 1t must be the Tilted man, and
he's playing Answer. He must be
right near here. Oh, heavens, / can't
stand that songl I've heard it too many
times when / haven't been alone and
minus an eyebrow besides Playing the
banjo too. Isn't it strange? / wonder
who he is? Marie, Marie, please go
knock at that mans door and ask if he
would mind not playing any more this
evening. I'm very tired and can't sleep.
What did he say?"
He just spoke through the door
like. f"
"Thank you, Marie. Go to bed now. "
Edith didn't wake up till very late
in the day, but when she did it was
with that peculiar consciousness of an
other person in the room, and there was
but only Marie. She stood and stared
and gaped at Edith, half idiotio, half
frightened smile on her wondering
| countenanoe.
what are you staring at, you imbe-
cilel Go down stairs. I'll dress myself. "
For nearly week Edith staid in
her room, being particularly occupied
picking something off the floor or doz-
ing with the newspaper over her face
when the servants came in. She didn't
hear the banjo any more and complete
| ly forgot the little incident. Her rest
less spirit revolted, however, at the sol
itary confinement and she resolved to
| break it,
Who cares for lovesick man who
probably wouldn't notice whether had
| any eyes at all or not? I'm going out.
Marie, my hat and veil Z"
She started off, and before long had
gone farther than she imagined She
sat down for rest and meditation. These,
however, were soon disturbed by a
cracking tWig and q footstep very CLOSE