The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-09-24
A BRIEF
INFATUATION.
How a Musician Found q
Congenial Mate.

| rapidly behind US, pulled its way toward
Bale, l could only gaze at her in silent
rapture.
We had not exchanged a word. Ny
unknown divinity had been absorbed in q
novel and had only raised her glorious
velvet brown eyes once or twice to scan
the uninteresting landscape. She, too
was musician-a bond of union between
us that l had been charmed to observe
for she kept beside her and guarded IL
with jealous care a violin case. Mine re-
posed in the rack.
Suddenly my beautiful vis-a-vis dropped
her book. Hastily l stopped and gave il
to her, and she thanked me with smile
that revealed purest white rather large
teeth. "Shall we soon arrive at Bale?'
she asked, and l thought what an ex-
quisite contralto voice she possessed. II
am so tired" She pushed back the loose
waves of ruddy golden hair that fell in
profusion round her lovely face. l think
it was the hair, which looked a mass of
living gold when the June sunshine fell
upon it, that had first attracted my at
tention.
eve have four hours before we reach
Bale" l answered, determined, now that
the ice was broken, not to let the flow of
conversation freeze into silence. "You
have had a long journey already~
eyes, and l have a weary time before
me. l am going on to London"
49," l said eagerly, "have 1. l am
going to Rome. II am a musician-a
professional. You play the violin too?"
eyes" she answered; Eyes, l play. |
love my instrument"
A strange smile parted the beautiful
though rather heavily nodded lips as she
looked down at the violin case. / wished
she would smile at me in such a manner,
and l felt jealous of anything, even in
sensate wood, that took her attention
from me. Doubtless betrayed in my ex-
preston the admiration that / felt. for
she colored family beneath my ardeut
gaze; but, to my relief, she did not
appear annoyed. In fact, she smiled al
most too broadly to please me, and l be-
gan to fear that she was laughing at me.
Perhaps l felt little hurt, for she COM
posed her features instantly, assuming
her former expression of mournful sad
ness, and seemed inclined to resume her
book.
''The scenery isn't much to boast about
here" l observed quickly. "But that's
a rather pretty chalet, isn't it?"
EYES," she agreed; 81 should rather
like to live in house of that description
so peaceful. so quiet, far removed from
the roar of the world" She sighed deep
ly, and / instantly fell to conjecturing
what shadow of sorrow had darkened
that young life. l noticed that when we
stopped at a station she betrayed some
uneasness and seemed glad when the
train started once more. l came, there
fore, to the conclusion that she was
afraid of being pursued, and | grew quite
excited and determined to defend her at
any cost
madame" l said rather losing my
head, pardon me if tell you that can
see you are in trouble; that something is
causing you uneasiness. Believe me
when say that | only long to help you;
that you may command my services in
any capacity" l spoke thus, for we
were slowing down, and saw the beauti-
full face opposite me pale, and a restless
sigh escaped the rosy lips. She started
at my words and looked at me earnestly.
"Would you really help meT" she ask
ed in those low, rich tones that acted on
my nervous system like music. "Ah,
need a friendp
''Then Godfrey Wilmot is at your
servicew cried enthusiastically. "Com-
mand me to do anything and it shall be
done"
"Thank you," she said, with sigh,
holding out her hand, which / took and
kissed. 1--WE are nearing -, are we
not?"
eyes" said as the train steamed into
an ugly little station.
81 wonder" she said, '4f you would
mind getting me glass of water. I'm
so thirsty"
Delighted to obey her slightest wish, |
few to the buffet and was absent but II
short time. When | returned, my COM
panion thanked me very sweety, but
barely touched the water. There's a
commotion here" said cheerfully.
''There are some policemen looking for a
thief, hear, who is supposed to be es-
Gaping"
At my words my companion sank back
against the cushions.
st is all over with me" she murmured.
"Mr. Wlmot you said you would be my
friend. The time has come for you to
prove it if you meant what you said"
"What-what do you meanp' l asked,
aghast. -"Good heavens You are not
thief?"
"Thief, mop she answered rapidly.
"And it no thief that Is being searched
for | am a political refugee. l am es-
gaping to England, the land of the free.
If ] am caught now, death, and worse,
will be my portion Oh, save me from
fate dare not contemplate! Save me
now, and I'll bless you forevermore!
Her agonized dark eyes gazed straight
into mine. her hands clasped mine. as she
poured forth the above confused tale.
felt at that moment that | would have
faced legion OF Cossacks for her sake
aye, and fought them, too-deeming it
gain to lose my life for her sweet sake.
said something to that effect, and she
smiled
But what is it l am to do?" asked
anxiously "Tell me, and will do it"
"You must only say when the men
come tlsat am your sister" she said
quickly. "That will disarm all suspicion"
It was with feelings Of mingled anxiety
and excitement that l waited the advent
of the gendarmes. They came-an off,
cial awe inspiring quartet-and thrust
in befeathered heads, looking at US with
severe eyes.
"Your Names" said the leader authori-
tatively.
"Geoffrey and Margaret Wilmot broth
er and sister," / answered readily. In
cognita" glanced at me gratefully. She
had shaken the flowing golden locks
about her face, and they permitted but
slight glimpse of its beauty.
eve must search the carriage" said
the officials, and accordingly they did so
most thoroughly, even going to the length
of insisting on my Gladstone being open
ed and examining my collar box, as
though they imagined that the object Of
their pursuit would take refuge there.
evidently he is not here" said one Of
the D. licemen. Come, we must go on"
''Did you hear?" | asked excitedly as
the intruders laboriously descended to the
platform, where an interested crowd
watched their proceedings. 1.-The man
spoke of heY'
Eyes, yes, heard" my companion an
swered hastily. "Have you any brandy!
II feel as though l should faint"
In great alarm l hunted for my flask
and gave it to her | must confess II
was rather a shock to me when ! saw the
amount she poured out into the little cup
and drank without demur,
"There," she said, with sigh, II feel
better now, and, thank heaven, the train
is moving on. | shall never forget your
kindness, Mr.. Wilmot-never."
She leaned toward me so that her loose
flowing hair almost brushed my face.
Almost invountarily l carried a curl to
my lips and kissed it.
'Such lovely hair" | said in apology,
reddening. Forgive me, Miss
II VII perhaps send you a little bit as
a keepsake, as a memento, of your great
kindness to me-" my companion said be-
witchingly. "No, l will not tell you my
name now. Give me your address 10