The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-04-16
How a Girl Was Won.

The girl stopped humming abruptly
and turned round.
what is the use of beginning
again?' she said, with an impatient
movement. "You know one cannot
serve two masters. l am going to give
my life to my art"
"But, George, you know what it
means to me- l mean you know
could never change or forget"
"Why noty' she returned quickly.
'That is just what l wanted to speak
to you about. You see"-and her proud
head was raised trifie higher-"you
only want wife who can see that you
get good dinner every day and sew
the buttons on your shirts. You have
known US all for years. Why do you
expect me, the impractical one of the
family, to snatch at the offer of this
post? You would have shown more
sense in asking Madge or Lillian, and
dare say one of them might have had
you"
For moment there was dangerous
CLEAN in his eyes, but it changed to
tender look of amusement as the girl
flung herself viciously into chair
with the air of a sulky child.
81 suppose it would have been more
sensible" he agreed, 'only don't love
either Madge or Lillian. If you will on
" have me-" he continued, twinkle in
his eye and abject humility in his
voice, 81 will do my best to overcome
my disgraceful appetite and dine off
sentimental song if you deem it best.
/ will also look out for some patent
shirt fasteners which will save you the
trouble of sewing on buttons"
George looked up quickly.
"You needn't try to be funny, Rexp
she said severely. you know quite
well l should have to become domes-
ticated woman if / married, and /
won't. am going to devote my life to
music, and if l were to sacrifice that
and marry you. | should stop loving
you in a fortnight and hate you in
month. There; that's ALL
Rex looked up quickly.
you would stop loving me in fort
night?" he asked. ''Then I may infer
you have begun alreadyY
''You may infer nothing, sir" she re-
torted sharply, but her face was Grim
son.
"By Jove that's the nearest I've ever
gotr' thought Rex. 81 believe she does
half like me, but must make her cave
in before she'll respect me-"
There was a moments pause, then he
said gently
81 beg your pardon, George. l be-
lieve you may be right, after ALL
though it is hard to think of giving you
up" And he sighed softly, but resign
eddy. "If you are not too angry with
me, will you tell me which you think it
would be best for me to try to like
Lillian or Madge?'
81 am so glad, Rex, you are sensible
at last! Really, l have thought it out
carefully, and, though Lillian is awful
ly sweet and and everything, l think
Madge is the one best suited to you.
You see, she cooks splendidly and
knows exactly how everything ought
to be done in a house and would be
perfectly satisfied if you kissed her
once a month or so and occasionally
said the dinner was excellent. She
really would, she is so easily pleased.
While I Well, you know what
am"
Eyes, 1 know what you are," he re-
piled quietly. "You are very young"
She misunderstood him, as he had
intended she should, and assented
eagerly.
Eyes, am young-only 19-and you
are nearly 80. Madge is nearest you
in age, and believe you could make
her love you if you tried"
"Shall try? Do you want me tor
eyes, of course want you to. 1t is
for your own sake. She would make
you a better wife than l because
don't want even to be loved. | am
satisfied with my life as it is"
"All right, George. In a month
shall have made up my mind, and
will tell you. Goodby."
"Goodby," she murmured, vaguely
afraid of what she had done. She
tried to reason out the cause of her de-
preston, but it seemed to have no
cause, and with a tagging step she
made her way to the sunny den which
she shared with her sisters.
Madge was sitting there alone, sew
Ing and singing gayly. She looked up,
with a smile, as George entered, and
an unusual merriment danced in her
eyes.
"Guess who's been hereT' exclaimed
Madge.
"Who?"
"Rex. And he's got box for The
Loves of Henrietta tomorrow, and he's
asked mother and me to go"
"I'm so glad" said George, but with
singular want of enthusiasm.
And Madge stole furtive look at
her. and the corners of her mouth
quivered.
A month had passed. Once more
George stood at the same window,
softly humming. She was waiting for
Rex, and her face was very pale. 1t
was the same face still, but there was
a difference, the difference which
marks every girls face when she be-
comes a woman.
She had learned her lesson and borne
her punishment in silence.
Today she had nerved herself for
supreme effort that she might do no
wrong to the sister who had stepped
into the place she had voluntarily re-
signed.
She had thought love not worth the
sacrifice of art, and if art without love
had turned to dust and ashes in her
hand who was to blame but herself?
She was waiting for Rex-Rex, who
had fallen such a helpless victim to
Madge that he had had scarcely look
or word to spare for her the whole
month. 1t was this that had first
taught her what she had lost and that
had afterward nerved her to play her
part-for weeks experience had
taught her that it was only part-of
careless Indifference and entire alb
sorption in her art.
When it seemed too hard for her, she
reminded herself sternly of her own
words, 81 am satisfied with my life as
it is"
"They shall never see am not salts
fed" she said and struggled on.
Today there was set, stern look on
her face. for this was to be. the su-