The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-03-26

DO say, however, that I'wI1T have moth
ing to do with it. "
"Well, Laura, that means that you will
have nothing to do with me, said Tom in
voice as hard as her own He could be
quite as dignified as she.
"That is what it means, /" assented Laura
coldly
"Oh, very well, :" said Tom. Rising, he
strobe toward the gate. He turned as he
opened the gate, lifted his hat and said:
"Good morning, Miss Glenn"
The annexation of Hawaii had precipi
tated lovers quarrel Tom walked down
the street, viciously biting his mustache
and swearing under his breath. He anath
ematized women's consciences, scruples
and unreasonableness. This was pretty
mess, to be sure, and he thought his trou-
| bles were over.
Laura went up stairs and wept until she
had a bad headache. Her eyes were so red
and swollen that she had to keep away
| from the family On the whole, Tom and
Laura were miserable enough on that
warm July day, not SO many weeks ago.
| Tom s face was set in hard lines all that
afternoon. He was very angry with
Laura and the whole world seemed to be
wrong.
|
told his mother that Laura thought the
poor leper ought to have the money He
would not tell her that they had quarreled
but he allowed himself to show his impa-
thence with his sweetheart's scruples.
Laura is right, said his mother. "A
part of the money at least ought to be
spent in providing comforts for that poor
fellow. I am glad the woman who will
be my sons wife has shown the right
spirit. T"
Tom was silent. He had not thought
much about Puoa Human before. The fact
that his financial difficulties were to be re-
moved from his path was all that had in
terested him. Now he saw the bitterness
of the poor natives lot. To face slow
death on the hateful leper island was a
hard fate indeed But what could he dor
Suddenly he sprang to his feet. See
Laura he must.
Mother, = he exclaimed, II am going
to ask Laura to marry me right away.
Then we can go out to Honolulu right
away, look after the plantation and see
what can be done for poor Puoa."
Catching up his hat, he almost ran from
the house in his eagerness. Fifteen min
utes later he was standing at the Glenn
front door asking breathlessly for Laura.
"Laura is up stairs with headache, .
said the small brother who had opened the
door.
Tom drew card from his pocket and
wrote: won't you see me for few min
utes, dearS 1 want you to tell me how to
help Puoa.
When Laura came down-and she made
haste to obey her lovers summons-she
found Tom sitting on the bench under the
old tree which had SO often shaded them.
1t was here that they had quarreled that
morning AS Laura approached, her white
dress cleaning in the moonlight Tom
went to meet her. Taking her into his
arms impulsively, he said:
Laura, you are the best woman in the
world. 1 am not half good enough for
you.
"Why, TomI'' said Laura in surprise.
Toms only reply was kiss Releasing
her and holding her away from him SO
that he could see her face, he asked anx-
iously:
won't you go out to Honolulu with
me and help me to do what is right for
that poor leperP Wewill divide with him. "
Laura S face frightened, but she was too
astonished to speak.
"We must go at once" said this i'm
perious lover. Then he spoke timidly:
''You will marry me next week, won't
you, LauraP We can sail from San Fran
cisco on the next boat y
He waited for the answer,
''Oh, Toni" said Laura at last, and
there was consent in her voice. Exchange.