The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-10-01
! THE NOVELIST
I AND AN EPISODE


tain young persons society was exercis
ing depressing influence on me-"
"Did she bore you" asked Ardell.
"The reverse. She has charmed mt
more than any other girl for longer pc
Rod than 1 like to think. The point il
that her parents insist on her having
nothing to do with me, which at leas
shows they are not wanting in good
sound common sense"
Ardell laughed and gazed contempla
lively on the surrounding stretch of coun
try.
81 could put in another month here
well, but I'm afraid it would hardly sui
Celia" he said, with a nod toward the
trim figure riding in front of them.
"Is she in a huge hurry to see Eng
landY' asked Grierson. He knew LITTLE
of his companions history. He was 6
wealthy Australian sheep farmer who
had lately sold his run and determined
on visit to England.
"Not so much that, but eagerness tt
meet the man."
The novelist opened his eyes.
sob, is she in love too?" he said, with
a sigh.
eyes; l had young Englishman OF
the farm as manager. He was with us
about five years, a decent sort of fellow
a gentleman by birth. You meet good
many of that sort up and down the runs
in the bush," said Ardell. Eventually
he fell in love with Celia and asked my
consent. l liked the chap and gave it
Then one day there came letter telling
him there had been big snap in his fam
lily chain and that he had stepped into
an estate and money in England"
81 know" nodded the novelist. "Tve
used him in a good many of my books
So he went, and you are following?" he
added, with smile.
eyes; he said he would return and
fetch Celia when things were settled ul
a bit But shortly after he had gone
suddenly took it into my head that l had
done about enough work for one mans
life, so sold the farm and brought the girl
away on this trip" Ardel laughed. "Itl
be somewhat of a surprise to him. You
see, there wasn't time to write, so be
doesn't know we're coming"
Presently Grierson urged his mule into
a gentle trot and succeeded in getting
level with Celia.
81 thought I'd just like to congratulate
you," he began.
A touch of color flew to the girls
cheeks, and her eyes glistened. She made
a wonderfully pretty picture, he thought.
care you interested in love affairs 2"
she asked, with a smile.
"My dear young lady, I've been vainly
trying to invent a new one ever since
first began to writer he exclaimed. Then
his tone changed. "Now, please tell me
N L. r.
as mere man can be!'
81 don't know about Archie being
that" she answered, with a laugh, "but
he is the man / love, and nothing else
matters much, does it?''
absolutely nothing. But l wish your
opinion was more universal" he added,
with sigh, as he thought of the young
person in the party he had left at Gil
braltar.
An idea seemed to strike him. for a
quick light came into his eyes.
'Does Archie he began, then paused.
"By the way, hardly like referring to
him as Archie. 1t seems so horribly
familiar. What is his other name?"
"Trevor-Archibald Errington Trevor"
she said, with laugh.
1--WE been trying to get alongside Of
you for five minutes!' cried Mr. Ardell' g
voice from behind. "Do, for goodness
sake, rein in your thoroughbred for a
moment, Cellar
The girl, with laugh, turned round to
him and waited. Grierson rode on and
kept a little ahead of the others for the
rest of the way. His face was unusually
grave, and he seemed buried in thought.
They reached the town, and, wishing
to do some shopping, he separated from
his companions. When at length he also
arrived at the hotel, he caught sight of a
tall, good looking young man standing in
the hall. He was chatting to girl at
his side. Grierson gave a start, then hur-
ried toward them.
"This is very absurd!" he exclaimed
as he shook hands with the girl. 81 left
you to go on to Seville and Madrid, not
to follow me here"
Lady Constance laughed.
"We started, but father was so terribly
anxious to get a glimpse of Morocco that
at length we had to give in-so here we
are"
She moved toward the staircase.
Mother was a little upset with the
crossing. | am just going to see how she
Is SellluS dlOuSy lHCA W III lGluInJ ohC
said, with a little smiling nod of fare
well.
Grierson watched her disappear, turn
ed to the young man and, linking his arm
within his, drew him to an alcove in
which there was a seat.
"You know, it's really too bad of you to
bother me in this way" he said reproach-
fully. "But there's no alternative. feel
bound to tell you what an awful scoun-
drel think you"
His companion looked at him in won
der
"What on earth has happened, Grier-
son?' be cried.
The novelist opened his mouth to speak,
but paused as he caught sight Of light
figure tripping down the staircase. He
gripped the younger mans arm and nod
ded in her direction. The girl-it was
Celia Ardell-crossed the hall some three
yards in front of them and entered
drawing room without seeing them.
Trevor breathed heavily. He did not
speak His eyes were fastened on the
door through which Celia had vanished.
Sufficient explanation, eh?' said
Grierson "a month or so after you left
the farm old Mr.. Ardell sold out and de-
cided to bring Celia to you. They halted
for week here, and that dearest of lit
tie girls is actually counting the hours
that will bring her to the man who stole
her love and who in return
Trevor WINGED.
EYES," he broke in; 'I've been an aw-
full scoundrel. l hardly know how it hap
pened. l left her feeling she was all the
world to me. Then, the new life in
friends, new faces-I somehow seemed
TO forget, and he paused" Il thought
she might forget also" he continued
lamely. 81 know it was playing it hor-
ribly low down." He looked up at Grier-
son anxiously. "Do you think it will
matter so very much to herW
"Oh, mol" retorted the novelist airily.
"She has only lavished on you every
scrap of love she has to give, and finding
you are not worth it will only break her
heart. But that's a mere tride and not
worth considering. You will be able
to marry Lady Constance and boast
wife with title"
Young Trevor rose to his feet. He
was very white.
''What do you think you will doT"
continued the novelist. "You see, If you
happen to have actually proposed to
Lady Constance
81 haven'tw put in the other man
shortly.
A slight CLEAN came into Grierson's
eyes as he watched his companion.
GuddanIv Trevor SWING round on him