The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-02-21
MATCHMAKING.

of town on a visit to some relatives,
and this was our crucial glass of whisky
and soda. We had been very candid
with one another and were in fine
glow of honesty.
cts a breach of confidence, I'm
afraid" said Cheedle. "And it isn't
thing you ought to know, because you
are quite vain enough already. mo
offense, of course, old man. We're be-
ing frank, you know. Hang it all, I'm
vain too). But I tell you this for her
sake. "
''Her sake? Whose?'' l asked.
''All in good time" he replied. 81
wouldn't tell you at all, Phil, if / did
not repose so much confidence in your
good taste; for, whatever else you may
be, Phil, you are still a gentleman.
You know my wife's cousin?''
"Little girl with fiaxen hair? Rather
"a shade-too conscious of her profile. ;"
eyes. Ha, hal Miss Marsh" He
slipped solemnly.
"Well?''
''It is pity. My wife told me. I
should never have suspected it myself.
She's little bit impressed by you.
Poor grip said 1.
"She isn't fool either. That makes
it all the more extraordinary.
II don't see that
"My object is to warn you against
playing OFT that Internal trick of yours
You know what l mean? That way
you have of talking to woman as if
she were the only one of her sex in the
world. Do be careful, old man."
We were silent awhile. l got up,
murmuring again, "Poor girll'' and
went home. had not intended to be at
the Massies' party on the following
evening, but, knowing that Miss Marsh
~uld be there and feeling anxious to
begin the cruel establishment at once
that it might be sooner over-I dress
ed and went.
The drawing room was crowded. /
looked about for Miss Marsh and espied
her in far corner. By slow stages 1
made my way toward her. She marked
my approach with wistful face, and
when was close made room for me.
Poor thingl We shook hands, and
noted tender light in her eyes.
"How hot it is in here" said she.
Oh, these hollow commonplace ut
tered calmly in gale of passionl
Eyes, said I. 81 wonder if we could
get out into the conservatory"
We managed it by dint of many po-
lite hustlings, strewing our path with
apologies. Our end attained, we sat
down under tub palm and looked at
one another.
"How pleasant it is out herer' she
murmured.
$50 cool'' said I.
Conversation was certainly difficult.
1.-THE usual rumor concerning you is
out, :" said she.
"Indeedl' cried. 1t was no time to
be witty.
"They have married you again, Mr..
Wroughtnight.
"Who is the unlucky lady this timer"
1T would not be fair to tell. And
two are mentioned.
Poor grill
"You know that rumor is a lying
jade, Miss Marsh. T"
by nature, yes, but sometimes-by
acoident-she speaks the truth
How valiantly women cover up their
scars
"Of course" said I, "there is no
foundation for the rumor"
81 had hoped there was, said she
softly.
Brave hearth 1t was dire business.
"There may be some day." muir
INJURED. II mean that expect l shall
marry sooner or later.
"Oh, hope SOP said she; "when
you are little older. Some strong,
helpful woman with ideals. Not poor
little society butterfy-like me.
''If she were like you, said 1 and
stopped.
"She won't be. said Miss Marsh
quickly.
My heart was torn with pity of her.
Zone SO seldom marries the person
one wants to-" said l, breaking the
truth to her gently.
"And how much better for us that is,
ism t it?''
The rejoinder hardly pleased me.
How do you mean, Miss Marsh?"
Il mean that the object of our first
love is SO rarely the person to make us
really happy.
remem bered that this was her third
season.
First love is the only love, " said l.
"Oh, mol said she.
"Oh, yes" repeated firmly. 1t was
no time for mawkish faltering. My
duty was plain.
Mr.. Wroughtnight. +" said she, "be-
heve what am about to say. You are
too young yet to know what is best for
your own welfare.
1t seemed an odd way to talk, as
was at least two years her senior, but
reflected that she was distraught-that
she was fighting against her own happi-
ness.
81 think. said l. 81 know what is
best for me, young as may be. When
my fate comes along''-
"That time is not yet, of courseP' said
she.
Oh, anxious, despairing hearth
mo" l cried, and shuddered in
dread expectation of some tragic sign
from her But she was strangely calm.
1t almost seemed to me that a light of
relief leaped into her eyes-the relief
of the tortured soul at hearing sentence
of DEATH -.