The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-11-28

tAS 0AdNSA vain Tic CdpllAliSI IufuSQ q
his daughter
Seems little different, doesn't her
be asked.
Different from what, daddy?
why, from the whole tiresome lot O
conventional young men,"
He does" said Grace lightly.
There was a pause.
| Aren't you just a little sorry nov
you refused him@ chuckled the oil
man.
''This isn't the man 1 refused" sail
Grace softly.
The. ten days of their stay passet
rapidly. Thanks to the preparation
made by Robert for their coming tn,
roughness Of camp life was great,
softened. He had worked like a Tro
jan to make them comfortable. He hat
actually brought water in sluice pipe
from spring in the mountain side anC
fitted up a rude but very serviceabl,
bathtub In the. cottage for the use Of
Grace. In fact, she heard Of his en-
ergy and industry on every hand. AND
she noticed, too, that her father Leaned
upon him more and more.
Once she took her parent to task {
little for absorbing so much of Rob
ert's leisure time.
"The boy Is full of business" SAID
her father shortly. Hes carrying 9
big load here, and there's no shifting
1t till Ingersoll comes back. I've beer
doing what l can to tighten it lit
tle."
Whenever she saw Robert he was in
his rough and ready mining garb-stal
wart, sunburnt, sinewy. He never al
luded to his clothes, and Grace came tc
believe that he never thought of them
He was always at ease in her pres.
ence, and yet, strange to say, paid heI
no compliments, fact which seemed
all the more remarkable when she
glanced In her little mirror and saw
the pleasing effects of the pure noun
tain air and the simple. wholesome
diet.
She couldn't understand it.
Had he-had he ceased to care for
herr and she whispered this contin-
gency with sinking heart. Had she,
like the ignorant Ethiop, thrown away
her pearl? Had this splendid, uncon-
ventional fellow quite outworn her
earlier destinations? 1t sadly looked
like 1t.
Then came the day Of their depar-
ture, and still Robert hadn't spoken.
But along in the early morning he said
to her:
"Shall we take a farewell look to-
gether at the happy valleyT
So they walked up the hillside path
a short distance to a wooded plateau
that overlooked the valley and its
foaming stream for many miles. Rob-
ert had made little seat just within
the thicket. and they sat down. For a
moment both were silent. Then Rob-
ert spoke.
We'll" he quietly said, shave you
reconsidered"
Grace looked up with start. There
was a masterful air about hin. that
fairly paralyzed her tongue She could
only stare and wonder
"Time is slipping by" said Robert as
he consulted his watch. 81 must seize
the first opportunity to speak to your
father"
Grace tried to say the cutting things
that surged in her mind. But when
she caught Roberts eye looking down
upon her with a tenderness of express
sion that altogether belied the BUSH
nesslike form Of his speech she gave
little gasp and incontinently surren-
dered.
Fifteen minutes later Robert and the
capitalist clasped hands warmly.
"All right, ehY queried the latter.
with broad smile
Eyes. SIR" replied Robert, ''it worked
just as you wrote me it would. But it
has been a hard part to play"
But you played to win. 1t was the
old clothes and the brusque manner
and. above all, the environment that
served to clinch her affection. for I'm
sure my little girl has loved you for a
long time, my boy"
He took Roberts arm affectionately
and walked with him to the company's
office, and Grace, watching at the cot
tage window and quite unconscious Of
the plot that had brought her happi-
ness, knew that all was well.
"I'm coming east as soon as Mr.. In
gersoll returns" said Robert when it
came time for the adieus, 'and then l
can enjoy the luxury Of change Of
wardrobe" He watched her smillngly
as he spoke.
She laughed softly.
IL learned to love you, dear" she
murmured. "in that garb. Bring II
with you, lest forget"
ut shall be my negligee." he laugLe ed
"And another thing, Robert"
"Yes, Grace"
"There mustn't be any razor
Cleveland Plain Dealer.