The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-04-29

&AAHA W n-HA11 WI Or LANE.
ably knew more about polite corre-
spOndence than he did about the COM
mission business. Then he raised his
voice, and in response trim little type
writer entered, notebook in hand.
Gear pulled out the slide of his roll
top desk for her use, and, after lighting
an extra strong cigar, always a sure
sign of trouble about the office, he con-
menced to dictate:
IN q. Fithian Rosedale. H.:
Dear Sir-Your communication Of the
18th inst, in which you courteously call
me thief, has just come to hand. II
you knew anything about actual business,
you would realize that a difference of 81
cents crate in the selling price of toma-
toes is trivial thing to a twelve dollar a
week reporter who gets up the market
reports. admire the discretion with
which you convey your insults by mail
instead of in person. for If had you here
l should be tempted to punch your head
Oft. Indeed l have half mind to drop
down to Rosedale some afternoon and tell
you few things about yourself in panto-
mime
THAT will be ALL he said as the girl
finished the paragraph and looked up,
"and you needn't put Yours respect
fully after it at that. You might tell
Mr.. Saunders that if any more ship
ments come in from NJ G. Fithian to
refuse to receipt for them"
That ended the Fithian incident, SO
far as Gear was concerned, but Saun-
ders had the pleasure Of turning back
consignment of produce two weeks
later, and the incident was forgotten
until one afternoon about year after
ward, when Gear, whose sister had
married a Rosedale man, was sitting
on the porch of her tiny cottage en-
joying his vacation.
Ted" said his sister (nis middle
name. and his sisters favorite, was
Theodorel, Il want to introduce you
to Belle Fithian, a dear child and one
of my most intimate friends"
He took the tiny hand into his clum-
sy grasp. and even while the red blood
surged to his face he realized that in
Belle Fithian he had found his fate.
From that hour Jacks vacation was
absorbed by Miss Fithian, upon whom
he danced constant attendance. In
the morning she drove him on errands
for his sister. In the afternoon there
We're longer drives along shaded coun-
try lanes, and in the evening there
was boating or straw ride or hop to
bring the pair together.
They were out on the lake one even
ing, Jack forcing the boat through the
water with lazy strokes, while the
moon cast an intoxica ting illumination
over the water. They rowed along
close to the bank. and presently Jack
forced the boats nose against the
beach Belle had a guitar with her,
and for time he leaned lazily against
the edge of the seat while she crooned
soft creole love songs.
Finally she laid the instrument aside.
'I'm tired of singing" she said. LET'S
talk little while"
well, if you're bound to shut the
concert off," he said. there's a ques-
ton would like to ask you. It's been
running through my head for several
days. and I've a sort of lazy curiosity
about it."
what is it?" she asked.
II want to know if there is any per
son of the name of NJ G. Fithian
around herey'
Yes" she answered quickly. "Why
DO you ask?"
why, you see," he went on Iilindly,
there was chap down this way |
about year ago that sent me a rather !
nasty letter about some garden stuff / |
sold for him. He got the idea that l |
was trying to swindle him because my
statement of account did not quote the |
prices that he found in some fool mar I
ket report. | came pretty close to
coming down here and getting into q
row with him, but | was busy just |
then and couldn't spare the time"
She looked at him, astonished. Il
thought John I. Gear was the name
Of the commission merchant" she said.
Your sister calls you Ted OH" as If
light had suddenly dawned.
THAT'S my middle name" he an
Theodore Gear. But
NJ. G. isn't any relative of yours, 1
hope"
He could see her face flush even In
the shadow.
Il am NJ. G. Fithian," she said cold
". "My mother was rather romantic.
ind she gave me the name of Mirabelle
Iweudolyn Fithian. When my IA
her died and had to conduct our
farm until my brother came back, l
realized the absurdity of using such a
lame in business communications and
employed only my initials, at the same
.ime endeavoring to cultivate a mans
hand And now, Mr.. Gear. if you will
Kindly row me back to the landing |
link 1t would be best"
please don't" be said impulsively,
holding out his hand. Give me a
,hance to explain"
Il believe" she returned icily. that
he explanation was to be made in pan
omime. Perhaps it would be better
o make haste lest you be tempted 70