The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-06-24

gloomy house where her two energetic
sisters were always criticising. com
handing and forbidding
She threw herself on the bed and
tried not to cry.
Harriet stood in the doorway, and
Gwen had jumped to her feet.
"Gwendolen, Mr.. Warde is down
stairs, and he has asked for you"
He probably wants me to go and
visit old women" said Gwen. 81 shan't
hate old women"
But Harriet had gone down stairs
again to talk to the young assistant
Gwen followed slowly.
Francesca looked up first when Gwen
opened the parlor door,
MIR. Warde has come to ask us all
to help with the services during Lent,
Gwendolen," she said briskly. ''He
wants us to sing in the volunteer
choir. 1 told him you would like to
very much"
Gwen bit her lip and looked straight
ahead.
Mr.. Warde waited politely until
Francesca had finished, then he turned
to Gwen. You know have charge of
the Lenten services, and l want them
to be as beautiful as we can make
them," he said, his eyes on her stead
lily. 81 want to get some one to play
for us too. Can't you help me to find
some one, Miss GwenT
"Oh, Mr.. Warde, let me playw
For moment there was a stunned
silence, while poor Ovens words rang
back to her shrilly.
But Mr. Warde was smiling. at
will be great pleasure to have you
take it." he said.
His answer broke the SPELL Fran
cesca and Harriet rose as one to pro-
lest. "Why, Gwendolen. what thing
TO ask! OF course she couldn't, Mr..
Warde"
''Why, certainly she can do it. Can't
you, Miss GwenY'
But her fine flare Of courage was
gone Il don't know she stammered.
Nonsense, child. OF course you
can't She'll be very glad to sing with
us, Mr.. Warde" Harriet smiled for
all of them. chiefly for Gwen. who had
shrunk into herself again.
Mr.. Warde looked at her keenly.
Gwen changed color when he took her
hand at parting. His eyes looked into
her frightened ones as If he under
stood.
That helped Gwen to bear the criti-
cism that followed with more compo-
sure than usual. She even smiled
little as she went down to the village
after the evening mail.
But her eyes filed as she thought Of
the afternoon. She knew she could
play on the big organ after a weeks
practice. She had. done it before for
the Sunday school, She would do it
just because Mr.. Warde had asked her.
She gave scared start. A black coat
ed figure had stopped before her.
MAY l turn back with your Mr..
Warde's kind eyes pretended not to
see the tears in Ovens. II want to
ask you when you will come over to
practice" he went on, quite as If it
were a settled thing.
Il knew that you could play have
heard you often as l passed the house."
he explained when she looked at him
bewildered. you will not fail me,
will your" he asked with an abrupt
earnestness that sent the blood flying
to Ovens pale cheeks. Because" he
added, at would be a great, a very
great, disappointment to me-"
NO" answered Gwen, scarcely real
izing what she said. 81 promise to
come"
She only. half heard what Mr.. Warde
was talking about as he walked back
with her. She was living in dream.
But at the gate, as he turned to leave
her, she gasped, "Please don't tell them
that l have promised" and was gone
But, though she did not see it, Mr.
Warde looked after her as though he
understood.
where are you going, Gwendolen?v
asked Harriet cheerfully Gwen start
ed neryously and looked around 1t
was o'clock Monday afternoon as the
elder sister came suddenly into the ball