The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-09-20
CONSOLED.

IL was the winter before VIII ana
were married that Richard Deering
became engaged to Miss Rhoades Will
and Richard had been almost insep-
arabic from childhood, and the latter
was an old friend of mine also.
We did not know Miss Rhoades, but
Richard assured us we could not fail to
like her, and Will said his opinion was
to be considered, for of course it was
quite impartial.
To tell the truth, on meeting Miss
Rhoades we did not share Richard IS en-
thusiasm. She had reserved manner
and was not particularly pleasing in
any way. And she did not seem suff1-
GENTLY in love with Richard to suit me.
Indeed 1 went SO far as to say that
did not believe she cared for him at all.
had to admit that she was fine look
ing, though not handsome, and she was
older than Richard. He confided to
Will that he was past the age to be at
traoted simply by a pretty face, and he
had no fancy for girls in their teens.
Richard was %.
Our worst fears were soon realized.
One night my betrothed did not come
to see me, which surprised me much,
for it was important 1 should consult
with him about the new house.
The next morning l received tele-
gram from Will:
Could not come last night. Richard in
trouble. Engagement broken
1t was two or three days before saw
Will, and then he came in at noon for
a hurried call He looked worn and
harassed, but patiently replied to the
countless questions 1 asked in regard to
Richards affair. 1t seemed that Miss
Rhoades had been mistaken in the ma
ture of her regard for him, as she ex-
pressed it. In other words, she had not
really cared for him, but tried to do SO,
urged by her family and tempted by
his wealth. Will thought there was an
other lover in the background, but
Richard did not suspect it. The poor
fellow was complete wreck, and for
the next few days Will was constantly
with his distracted friend and had no
time to give to me. When he did come,
it was to say that he had prevailed upon
Richard to go away for awhile, the lat
ter consenting on condition that Will
would accompany him.
My lover could i'll afford to leave at
this time, and his absence would be
most trying to me, as l wanted his ad-
vice concerning the house. However,
neither of us felt that we could urge
any claims of our own in the face of
Richards dire need. So we reluctantly
babe each other goodby. The trip bene-
fitted the heartbroken lover and on his
return he consented to take up his resi-
dence at home, and after time resumed
his customary visits to our house,
though he scarcely spoke and looked
the picture Of despair. 1t was little
wearing for Will and me, for out Of
courtesy to poor Richard we did not
like to speak of the wedding or any of
the arrangements when he was present,
and as our minds were naturally ocou-
pied with the topic in question our con-
versation was sometimes rather forced.
We had expected him to act as best
l16tl dJ OlI W6uOluS, DuG IL S66Iu6u
more than doubtful that he would feel
equal to the position in his present
state of mind. We were anxious to
know how he felt about the matter, and
at last Will touched upon the subject.
''It is evident that you know nothing
of my feelings, said Richard in an in
jured tone 81 shall probably never at
tend wedding again as long as live.
1t would be torture, agony, simply un-
bearable 1 would do great deal for
you, but don't ask me anything so ut
terly impossible. "
Will humbly apologized and hasten
ed to ask his cousin to act as best man.
He accepted with aIacrity.
Wills sister Dorothy, a girl of IS,
was to be my maid of honor She had
been abroad for the last three years,
finishing her education. When she went
away, she was schoolgirl, and not
realizing the change that year or two
can make at her age we were surprised
to receive a photograph showing her to
be pretty and prepossessing young
lady, with quite the air, as we imagined
from her pose, of society woman.
1t was two or three weeks after
Willis conversation with Richard in re-
gard to the matter of best man that one
evening our afflicted friend seemed a
little less morose than usual He pick
ed up Dorothy's picture, which was
lying on the table.
"What pretty girlP' he exclaimed.
"Who is she?'
"You ought to know her." replied
Will. "You and she were fast friends
once. She's no other than my sister
Dorothy"
"That handsome girl my little friend
Dorothy! Why, I thought of her as
still child. By Jove, but she's a
beautyl" seid Richard, with more ami
nation than he had displayed since his
engagement was broken.
1t was a relief to see him something
like his old self, if only for moment,
but he surprised us by conversing quite
cheerfully the rest of the evening.
A few days later Will appeared in
most excited frame of mind Richard
was at the house at the time, but Will
did not notice him as he rushed in ex-
claiming:
"Such i'll luck Cousin Henry is
Rown with the humps Did you ever
hear of anything so ridiculous, and the
wedding next week?'
"What is to be done?" l asked
blankly.
ssTba4 is ,,,oro +bar I-Doxr, -o,,Iiad
Will. II dashed over to see Sylvester,
but he's off to Florida next week, and
then asked Tom Flanders. He thanked
me politely for my courtesy and said he
hardly cared to act as stop gap.
Agreeable chap, Tom, but that was al
ways his way-must be first or no
where. l think l will telegraph my
cousin Herbert in Philadelphia. Inever
fancied him much, but l must have
some one, 1 suppose.
At this juncture Richard, who had
been looking at Dorothy S picture, spoke
rather hesitatingly:
Well, old fellow, since you are in
such tight place, I'll help you out. 1
will act as best man.
Will stared with amazement at this
unexpected offer, but slapped Richard
heartily on the back.
"Will you really, though? You're an
old brick '
wonder why men always use the
word 'old" as a term of endearment
with each other? 1 suppose it is sub
stitute for dear and darling" and
all the tender terms of woman s vo-
cabulary.
Richard seemed embarrassed at Wills
gratitude, and added somewhat apollo
getioally:
If l can accommodate friend, l
want to- That's about the only thing
i'm the xyav IF ,,leacura 7 ran ever hone