The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-02-06
PRISONER 0FWAR
A Landlord Goes to Collect His
Rent and Instead Gets Col
lected Himself.

mo rent again this month"; This is
the third time 1t has happened within
the half year. I'll go there myself and
get the money, or I'll know the reason
why"
Matthew Deane was in particularly
bad humor this raw December morn
ing. Everything had gone wrong.
Stocks had fallen when they ought to
have risen, his clerk had tipped over
the inkstand on his special and pecul-
lar heap of paper, the fire obstinately
refused to burn in the grate-in short,
nothing went right, and Mr.. Deane was
consequentlyand correspondingly cross.
"Jenkinsw
eyes, sir"
go to the Widow Clarkson and tell
her l shall be there in half an hour and
expect confidently-mind, Jenkins, con-
fidently-to receive that rent money, or
else | shall feel myself obliged to re-
sort to extreme measures. You under
stand, JenkinsT
Certainly, sir"
"Then don't stand there staring like
an idiotT snarled Mr.. Deane in sud-
den burst of irritation, and Jenkins dis
appeared like shot.
Just half an hour afterward Matthew
Deane brushed the brown hair just
sprinkled with gray from his square
yet not unkindly brow. Putting on his
fur lined overcoat, he walked forth in
to the chilly winter air fully determin-
ed figuratively to annihilate the de-
faulting Widow Clarkson.
1t was a dwarfish little red brick
house, which appeared originally to
have aspired to two storyhood lot, but,
cramped by circumstances, had settled
down into story and a half, but the
windows shone like Brazilian pebbles,
and the doorsteps were worn by much
securing. Neither Of these circum-
stances, however, did Mr.. Deane re-
mark as he pulled the glittering brass
doorknob and strobe into Mrs. Clark
sons neat parlor.
There was small fire-very small,
as if every lump of anthracite was
boarded in the stove-and at table,
with writing implements before her,
sat young lady whom Mr.. Deane at
once recognized as Mrs. Clarkson's
niece, Miss Olive Me1len. She was not
disagreeable to look upon, though you
would never have thought Of CHASING
her among the beauties, with shining
black hair, blue, long lashed eyes and
a very pretty mouth, hiding teeth like
rice kernels, so white were they.
Miss Mellen rose with a polite nod,
which was grimly reciprocated by Mr..
Deane.
81 have called to see your aunt, Miss
Mellen."
81 know it, sir, but as am aware
of her timid temperament l sent her
away. l prefer to deal with you my
self"
Mr.. Deane started. The cool audaci-
ty of this damsel in gray, with scarlet
ribbons in her hair, rather astonished
him.
81 suppose the money is readyY
''No, sir; it is not"
s"Then, Miss Olive-pardon mel
must speak plainly, shall send an Off
Ger here this afternoon to put valua-
ton on the furniture and'-
"You will do nothing Of the kind.
STRIP
olives cheeks had Redeemed, and her
eyes flashed portentously. Mr.. Deane
turned toward the door, but ere he
knew what she was doing Olive had
walked quietly across the room, locked
the door and taken out the key. Then
she resumed her seat.
"What does this mean? calculated
the astonished prisoner of war"
at means, sir, that you will now
be obliged to reconsider the question"
said Olive.
"ObligedY
eyes. You will hardly jump out Of
the window, and there is no other
method of egress, unless you choose to
go up the chimney. Now, then, Mr..
Deane, will you tell me if you, Chris
tan man in the nineteenth century,
intend to sell a poor widows furniture
because she is not able to pay your
rent? Listen, STRIP
Mr.. Deane had opened his mouth to
demonstrate, but Olive enforced her
words with a very emphatic little
stamp of the foot, and he was, as 1t
were, stricken dumb.
'You are what the world calls rich
Nan, Mr.. Deane. You own rows OF
houses, piles of bank stock, railroad
shares, bonds and mortgages-who
knows what? My aunt has nothing.
l support her by copying. Now. If this
case be carried into a court Of law, my
Door ailing aunt will be sufferer. You
would emerge unscathed and profting.
You are not bad man, Mr.. Deane;
you have great many noble qualities,
and like you for them" She paused
an instant and looked intently and
gravely at Mr.. Deane. The color rose
to his cheek. 1t was not disagreeable
to be told by a pretty young girl that
she liked him, on any terms, yet she
had INDUCED in pretty plain speaking.
81 have heard" she went on, "of your
doing kind actions when you were In
the humor for it. You can do them and
you shall in this instance. You are
cross this morning, you know you arel
Hush. no excuse! You are selfish and
irritable and overbearingl If l were
your mother, and you a little boy, l
should certainly put you In corner
until you promised to be good"
Mr.. Deane smiled, although he was
getting angry. Olive went on with the
utmost composure:
"But as it is, | shall only keep you
here prisoner until you have behaved
and given me your word not to annoy
my aunt again for rent until she Is
able to pay you. Then, and not until
then, will you receive your money. Dc
you promise? Yes or noY'
81 certainly shall agree to no such
TERMS" said Mr.. Deane tartly.
"Very well, sir; can wait"
Miss Aiellen deposited the key in the
pocket Of her gray dress and sat dowr
to her copying. Had she been mar
Mr.. Deane would probably have knock
ed her down; as it was, she wore an in
| visible armor of power in the very fac
that she was fragile, slight woman
and she knew It,
'sMiss Olive" he said sternly, 'let III
terminate this mummery. Unlock tina
doorg'
"Mr. Deane, will not!"
II shall shout and alarm the neigh