The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-01-28

index finger from her bodice. After
ward she smoothed out the bosom of
her gown.
Could it be? She looked like lady
So did he look like a gentleman. He
seated himself and began conversa-
ton. They exchanged a few remarks
very pleasantly for some time, when
suddenly he asked: Pardon mel Is
that a piece of laceY'
Her hands and eyes went at once to
the buttoning of her bodice. Then she
replied coldly, 'You are mistaken, STRIP
Madame" he answered smilingly,
'.you need not fear that | would be
scandalized by your smuggling little
lace into Russia. The government
takes such immense precautions against
evasion Of the duties that one need not
scruple at deceiving 1t. If possible L
should regard it as a bit of amusing
cIeverness."
you think 1t is one of those things
that are only wicked when found outY
she returned, eying him. with faint
smile.
Precisely
"And you are possibly so gallant that
you would even help a lady in such an
attempt"
IF the lady was NICE" he laughed
back.
She turned her face to him with a
captivating smile and said archly. do
you think am 'niceT"
ssMost assuredly, madame"
"Then will throw myself upon. your
mercyp she exclaimed, with a lovely
air of candor 'sThe fact is, l am SNUG
gling'-she made a little face-"a
scrap Of lace. There is not much, but
it is choice, and want it for certain
purpose. Now I have put myself in
your hands"
1.-THE hands of a gentleman" replied
Thorwald. How can help your
you might take the keys of my
trunks and act as If we were together.
You could tell them you had nothing
to declare. shrink from saying fatty
that have nothing to declare when /
know l have. You will not have that
difficulty to disturb you, and If you
can give the man the idea that you
have both our things in charge they
will say nothing to me-"
Madame, leave the matter entirely
to me-"
When they reached the frontier and
the ordeal was at hand, Thorwald
walked up to the most prominent func-
tionary and, taking him aside, had a
few words with him. The lady In the
meantime sauntered slowly up and
down the platform with pleasant air
of waiting till the mere form had been
complied with.
Suddenly her heart fell. The officer
with whom the young man had been
talking left him and advanced toward
her with a determined air.
Madame" said the official, 81 have
certain information that you are at
tempting to smuggle something
through, Ny informant saw what led
him to think you had lace concealed
atout your person. 1t rests with you
to denver 1t up or to be subjected d
thorough examination"
She gasped with indignation. What
an idiot she had been to betray her
self to a strangerl
With a blazing eountenance, but a
dignity that impressed even the hard
ened official, she retired and unwound
the dainty lace she had so carefully
concealed about the upper part of her
person. 1t was silently confscated
and a stiff fine imposed, which she
paid without half the regret she felt
at parting with her precious lace. The
odious informer was walking about on
the platform with an air of conscious
rectitude and carefully abstained from
even glancing In her direction.
The train had gone some miles Ga the
Journey toward st. Petersburg. Some
one paused at her side. She looked up
and beheld the young man who had so
neatly tricked her. He had an apollo
getic air.
'Do not presume to speak to me-"
she exclaimed holly. You have done
all the evil you can. wish yeu were
a gentleman, that it might be possible
to make you feel the contempt you de-
serve"
Madame" he said very gently, 81
only ask one word of explanation. Be
lieve me, l think can dispel the mean
opinion of ms which admit you have
every right to entertain. You told me
you had a scrap Of lace; not much,
but choice Around my legs-pardon
me for abiding to them-are a hum
dred yards of a very expensive lace.
Not that alone, but there is senti-
mental reason attaching to its safe
delivery by me which would have
made its seizure the keenest disap-
pointment. The officer showed such a
suspicious and impIacable attitude that
I saved my lace at the cost OF yours. !