The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-05-20

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the crosstrees to the deck, he grabbed
hold of my hand and told me not to do
it again, that he'd got the idea, and he
didn't want me to risk my life IN
necessarily. Say, | nearly fell down!
And when told him how much made
in a good season he broke the point off
his pencil he was so astonished. Why
he says, that's about double what a
bookkeeper makesp l asked him what
he pulled out of his trade, and he said
that forty was his limit
The conversation with the reporter
showed Jim relative values as applied
to himself and Pearley. then he went
to see Mary.
He found Mr.. Pearley before him,
and Mary introduced them in her
grandest manner:
I'm proud to make you acquainted
with my friend Mr.. Pearley." And then
to Mr.. Pearley, This is our old family
friend. Jim Hollis, told you about"
Jim sat out the evening somehow,
his mind apparently working double.
He heard dimly the fiippant conversa-
ton led by Mr.. Pearley and at times
tried to join in the topics which SEEM
ed to entertain Mary. But all the
while he was thinking how he could
outfiank this saffron colored counter
Jumper" as he dubbed Pearley 1t was
not until he rose to leave that the in
spiration came to him. He recalled
his chat with the newspaper reporter
and spoke firmly. so firmly that Mary
looked bit astonished then worried.
II want to see you about something
most particular tomorrow, Mary. Meet
me at Grey's drugstore by the soda
fountain. Don't fail me-"
In vague way Mary realized that
Mr.. Pearley would have called for her:
that this was another evidence of Jim's
lack of good manners. but she held her
peace. Something in .Jims expression
and sudden memory of his patient
years of waiting made it impossible
for her to refuse his request.
The next morning Jim tool Mary to
the Empire department store He made
no explanations. but led her up stairs
to point where they could see the ex-
pert handlers of money make change
and dispatch the cash carriers. And
beyond these stood Pearey. He had
his coat off and paper pinned around
his cuffs. His handkerchief was tuck
ed about his collar, and a woman with
a nard face was "sIanging him. as
Jim put it. When she left. a y9nng
person with pale. pompadoured hair
and an indolent manner took up the
cry: Say, Mr.. Pearley. you're a gem!
] guess you must be dabbling in love
from the bulls you make. This is the
third identical time you've brought me
up here this morning. Now, say If
Mr.. Noses hears Of this. out you'll cor'
Mr.. Pearley did not answer but wip-
ed the perspiration from his strained
and worried brow with one hand while
he drove his pen with the other. Mary
was silent and fairly jumped when Jim
said: Say, Mary. meet me at our docks
after supper tonight. We have Span
ish bark to rig. and I'll be through
about 8. You'll come. won't your"
Mary nodded her head and looked
back at Pearley. and when she turned
Jim was gone.
At 7:3O she was at the appointed
place. full rugged ship lay at the
dock. its hull dark in shadow. but its
shrouds and rigging thrown into bold
relief by searchlight. And there on
the crosstrees. balancing himself with
dexterous grace, was Jim. He was
shouting orders at the top of his voice.
And then Mary saw the well dressed
and much revered Mr.. Hogan point his
cane at Jim and calf out: Say. Hollis.
have you got that mainsail halyard
wove right in that block? 1t looks
twisted from here"
''All right Mr.. Hoganr' shouted Jim.
II did it myself"
That's the boy for my money" said
Mr. Hogan as he moved away.
And think" said Mary ref1ectively
to herself. raising her straight little
eyebrows and pursuing out her cherry