The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-10-24
! FOLLY OF FERRIS ]
By Amos Dunning.
Copyri0ht by Amos Dunnslg.
q c9ceolc1lollseC :
By Amos Dunning.

- NWNW'~W w w -
A dash of crimson. flash of amber,
a CLINT of snow-were there ever such
lips, eyes and shoulders?
"Clever, You sayP Most pretty wom-
en-
"Are -decidedly-lawo compen-
sation, of course. Dea has too much
quite unfair beauty, brain, blood"
brain for what-artY'
Canning tilted his head; the light
searched his keen, tired face; two ugly,
cWving wrinkles that bracketed his
nose deepened into burrows as he
laughed.
Art-bah-men! 1t takes brain to
bag birds. That's Gayns dancing with
her. He's the latest and got money.
She'll give him a week at least"
A waltz wave had swept her close to
them. A swish of foamy skirt, watt
from a rose, a laugh like flute, and
the gorgeous, writing current drew
her In.
Ferris got upon his feet quickly, look
Il.
he had moved till he heard Ganning's
laugh. He sat down and tried to copy
it, but failed.
"See here" said Canning.
Ferris looked down. A tiny fiunf Of
lace lay at his feet.
some of her tricks" sneered Can
ming.
Ferris picked 1t up. A morsel of
lawn and lace, with "a quaint little
crest in the corner, andl a fragrance as
fresh as a shower.
mot a ballroom BREATH" unused Fer
ris Canning was right-it took brain.
1--WE this two step with her" said
Canning. 'T'n return the thing If you
like" 4
! Ferris hand closed over it, The 9th
er saw 1t and smiled His smile was
more unpleasant than his laugh, and
Ferris tossed the handkerchief toward
him awkwardly-so awkwardly that it
fell to the floor. Canning smiled again
and picked 1t up.
Pull yourself together, man." he
said.
He touched her hand an hour later In
the cotillon. Canning was her partner
again. His pale, close lips curved
slightly as Ferris colored warmly at
the touch. Her heavily scored card Of
fered nothing, but. he took her to a
draft for three minutes and talked
about himself. He generally talked
about the women.
She was gowned in some French Gre
alton that changed tint like cloud at
sunset. A big topaz at the waist line
blazed like an evening star Tiny
swirls of hair were matted upon her
moist forehead. He had seen just such
on the damp brows of children when
they were asleep. Her eyes he found
bewildering. They were younger than
| he had expected, with certain dawn
like look, but the mouth was that of a
woman, with the naughty upper lip Of
the well born English girl.
They were guests at the Ssame hotel.
He saw her every day for awhile; then
every hour. Blessed or cursed with a
nature of romance and fire, he loved
her as such men love. AS uHreasona-
BILE as vehement, he claimed her very
| breath. He WINGED when Canning
spoke to her. He suffered horribly
when he saw them In the waltz. Gayns
made him jealous; Gannings drove him
mad. me
why do you dance with him2' he
said to her one evening, crushing her
warm fingers in a cold, unyielding
grasp.
She laughed; her amber colored eyes
sparkled like drops of champagne,
'Othello, you hurt my handsw
Il believe you used to care for that
fellow" he said sullenly Swear to
me, Dea, you did not"
She tore her hands awaysand raised
one tragically. Il swear,"t she cried,
Hamlet, this timer
$50 she's giving you a&fortnight,"
said Canning one morning.
Ferris faced him quickly;Ahe was a
trifie pale about the mouth. 81 don't
understand you," he said.
IF you understand Dea it's sufii-
eient" He smiled his lnserutable
| okulle. Wy TOOIH > al yUAuf SeFN4Ce.
he added. I'm off for more royal
sport It's cooler, believe, than your
quarters; better snap 1t up while you
can"
He left the next evening. Ferris
drew long. free breath. Absurd too,
his jealousy of Canning! What had he
ever done? Danced with Dea, as much
as many others. loved her not as well.
He began to have a sort of friendly
feeling for the fellow as he entered the
room just made vacant by his depar-
ture and hastily dropped his traps
I The night was intensely warm. the
place sitting. He crossed to an open
window and pulled back a gaping
blind A food of silvery flame. stream
ed ia as from searchlight- heated to
white heat, it seemed to him. for the
very moon was hot. He turned. as II
from sunlight, then all at once stopped
Midway in the shining path across the
carpet small. snowy object like a tiny
drift of moonlight caught his eye. For