The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-05-10
BY A BRACELET.


watching him furtively.
I'm sorry l spoke as did just now,
Kitty he said, with plaintive ges-
ture of Cancellation. "You re only jokin,
amt you? l guess l amt half good
enough for you, but you amt goin to
throw me overheard, are you? The pic
tur' was grand, and no mistake, an you
looked just like yourself. 1t amt the
pictur'; it's-it's''-
He broke off short and glanced at the
little circle Of gold that SPAWNED the
girls white wrist. With a quick move
ment she drew down the sleeve of her
pink blouse, covering it from sight.
you've good cause for it, Jem, she
said. Perhaps you didn't mean all you
said, an I hope you didn't, lad, for
twas no way to speak O. your betters.
Did ever promise to marry you, or any
one else? Can't | take present from
any one without bein spoke to as if I'd
committed murder or robbery or sum-
mat worse? Well?"
81 guess you can do what you like,
Kitty" he said sadly, an nobody
least of all me-has no right to say a
word"
"That's good. Maybe for the futur'
you II know your place. Good night. :"
He watched the little figure in pink
hurrying over the sands till it dwindled
and disappeared among the shadows of
the gabled street, and then drew out a
boat to row across the bay. By and by
there was a shout and he glanced over
his shoulder and alphabetically backed
the oars.
Cant you look where you're going,
you dolt? Do you want to run me
down?''
81 guess I'll set you swimmin if
you're not civil, = he said, squaring his
shoulders. "Mebbe you think we've no
blood in our veins because we live
rough, an don't dress fine an aim able
to earn much money. guess if you an
me quarrel you'll be the sorriest; SO
stand clear! Good nightl''
The young man in the tweed suit
stood up. needless of the heavy pollock
tugging at his line, and started after
the retreating boat.
''The impudent houndp' he blurted
out. Then, as he cleverly played the
fish and drew it in till it lay gasping
under the thwart, he laughed softly.
"Another of the girls admirers, l sup
pose, !" he said.
In the morning Jem and Ted Trew-
lowe came down the village street to-
gether. Jem carried coil of rope and
a pointed iron bar-the stock in trade
of his hazardous profession, that of egg
hunter.
The boat was headed for the gray
white column across the bay, the
Witches pillar. They scrambled up the
rift in the cliff and reached the breezy
uplands. The iron bar was driven deep
into the soil, and five minutes later the
figure Of man swung high over the
sea, terrifying the birds and looming
black against the lighter background Of
the cliff
Little Trewlowe sat steadying the
swaying rope, his heels firmly wedged
in the holes he had cut to keep them
from slipping and his black Guilty grip
ped tight between his clinched teeth.
There was frightened look in his eyes,
for Jem had seemed SO queer and SO lit
tie like himself.
Suddenly the rope slackened and
then grew taut again with fierce jerk
that started the bar full inch and
scared his hands. Then it swayed limp
ly against the cliff edge. and faint cry
from below sent his heart into his
throat.
He peered over the brink with almost
sightless eyes and called again. The
rope streaked down, slackened and limp.
He fancied he saw dim blur of bub-
bles soaring the smooth surface Of the
distant water, and his head reeled.
With trembling fingers he knotted
the rope firmly to the bar and, throw
ing off bis coat, swung himself over the
brink.
The sun climbed the sky and slid
down lazily behind the Witches pillar,
decking the sky with gold, and the big
eye of the faroff lighthouse started
dazzling through the gloom. The boats
came in one by one.
Long after the light in the west had
melted into hazy gray Kitty sat and
unused in the cottage porch When the
shadows drew in, the lighthouse unclos-
ed its ponderous eye and glared at her
for moment like some huge beast as it
oircled round, cleaving the darkness.
II think I'll just run down an see
Mrs. Trewlowe, dad, she said shakily,
looking through the open door.
Jem's little cottage, with it's screen
ed. The frenzied beat of her knuckles
on the door echoed back to her mock
ingly through the two tiny rooms.
A painting woman, with dingy shawl
thrown over her head, met her half way
down. Some instinct, intangible and
underlined, seemed TO tell each what she
wished, yet dreaded to learn, for no
words were spoken, no questions asked
Their hands met in unspoken sympathy,
and hand in hand they descended the
hill.
They paused on the bluff, straining
their eyes i'll the hopes of seeing dark
speck crawl out under the shadow of the
cliffs. A boat was moving outward to-
ward the deeps where the conger lay,
and the girls heart grew bitter against
its occupant, and the tiny band of gold
upon her wrist seemed to sooroh her
flesh.
When they stood below the creaking
sign of the Merry Mariners, the woman
hung back and looked at her piteously.
"I'll go in, said Kitty, touching the
woman on the arm.
There was sudden hush as the white
faced girl tottered in and gave hurried |
glance around.
"Is-is he here?" she gasped. ell
mean
An old bag, seated in the far corner
of the room, barred her toothless gums
and uttered a cracked laugh.
"No, be hain't, dearie. l seed him
goin conger fshin in his swell clothes.
P'raps if I axed him prettily, he'd put
me in a pictur' tool Eth, dearie? He,
hel'
81 mean Jem-Jem Holt--my Jem,
she painted, catching her breath. 'Ted |
Trewlowe an him went nestin ON the
pillar this morning. Ted amt back,
an my Jem amt back, an-Jem and
Ted Trewlowe-my Jem-is-is
She broke down, covering her face
with her hands. The men laid aside
their pipes and went out softly, whis.
pering among themselves.
The sad eyed woman was waiting for
her, and together they hastened to the
hen h and Innnchad old Andraxuis boat l