The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-06-17
was nothing against him, of course.
but Am to offer congratulations"

was nothing against him, of course,
but Am to offer congratulations"
l asked
mot yet" said George sturdily.
George always sticks to the truth
Now, | was foolish in my next re-
mark, admit. His determination to
marry Dolly had dazed me a bit.
meant to make a light observation
that would laugh away our little tiff,
so said, very blithely:
"Oh, you merely have hopes. Is that
it? Well. some Of the rest of us also
have hopes"
swear never minded how 1t sound
ed till George began to curse way
down in his throat. After that l was
in no mood to explain. So it CHANGED
that when he asked, with fine sarcasm,
If l intended to marry Miss Dolly my
self l told him fatty that / did. A
fool does such things just to be con-
trary.
Before could comprehend the situa-
ton George had me by the arm and
was half way across the room. A mo-
ment later Miss Dolly. without pink
rose-I knew she never wore pink
roses-was smiling up into my sullen
face, and George was sneering at me
loud enough for the girls to hear:
You see, Brown, Miss Dolly is not
the wearer of the pink rose in spite Of
your declarations"
Dolly glanced up quickly, and l met
her eyes squarely. We had been play
mates, Dolly and l, not so many years
before. remember she told me once
that she liked my brown eyes; that
they were like horses, dumb mirrors
that revealed my every feeling. Now,
as she looked at me. she must have
seen something in those same eyes, Coz
she smiled reassuringly.
Il did wear the rose when I came"
she fibbed prettily 10 George, ''but
later gave it TO my sister"
George swallowed once OF twite iii
helpless stupidity. He knew very we'll
she was not telling the truth. and that
she should choose to lie when it would
grew so red that | began to rack my
brain for first aids in apoplexy" He
turned to me. and | tried to smile
cheerfully to relieve him. Well, that
silly smile ended it ALL He turned to
her and blurted out like great school
boy:
"Dolly, he says he is going to marry
your
Sometimes I am glad was created
bit dull witted. George had fed. and
Dolly had blushed dozen times before
comprehended 1t all. Then the heat
of the room stified me. l turned about
despairingly, ran my fingers through
my hair and pulled at the collar that
was choking me.
At last l found my voice. miss
Mayton," l begged, won't you walk
outside with me. where l can explain
the whole horrible blunderT
She looked up at me half shyly, half
angrily. for full second. l had almost
despaired of gaining an audience, when
she rose and without a tremor of en-
barrassment took my arm.
''Dick," she said kindly, Eve were
chums together a few years ago
know you are able to explain this mat
ter"
But l couldn't A dozen times be-
gan and stopped. At last. shame voiced
and hating, l made a last start.
Dolly" l said, all unconscious OF
how addressed her-"Dolly, you-you
know it was mistake"
l stopped short.
"A mistake about your saying that7''
questioned Dolly.
MOO" said slowly-''that is. you
I-well''- And I floundered hopelessly.
"You didn't mean it?" persisted Dol
~. She was shivering with the cool
night air.
But did" said quickly. 1t ought
to have been a noble lie, but somehow
there was no sacrifice. should have
given my life just then to have said
1t truthfully.
Dick she said after long silence,
at is very dark here under the trees"
Yes; it Is" said gloomily.
'And very cold"