The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-11-18

and Marion had played tennis and golf
together for two seasons. He had been
tempted to propose to her on the bay
itself one moonlight night but Marion
was nervous and would not permit his
attention to stray from handling the
tiny sailboat. And then he had put off
the proposal week after week He felt
somehow that such a moment came
but once into a mans life, and he
dreaded to think of the day when the
tender anticipations would be a thing
of the past. Now he almost wished he
had let it end in happy dreams, for the
reality was stern beyond description.
The cause of their trouble seemed
serious enough to Marion, but from
Walters masculine viewpoint it was
ridiculously trivial
The cousin of his roommate at col
lege was playing soubrette roles in
light opera. simultaneously with the
arrival Of her company in Detroit came
a note from her cousin in New York
begging Fleming to be kind to the
kid While she was in town.
Fleming read the letter through sew.
eral times and wondered what in the
world dear old Tom meant by being
kind. He couldn't invite the girl to
stop up at the house because it was too
far from the theater, and he had vague
ideas that theatrical folk preferred to
flock together. His mother and sisters
should so to call of course Anyway.
he'd take Marion the first night. Even
busy soubrette ought to appreciate the
opportunity of meeting such rarely
charming girl as Marion So he sent
''the kid roses exactly like those
Marion was to wear, and did not notice
the expression in his fiancee's eyes
when the flowers were passed over the
footlights. There was a little supper
after the performance. chaperoned by
Mrs. Fleming, at which the little
actress wore very plain black gown
with a very long train and carried
Walters roses.
The next day was set aside for a
drive through the parks, followed by
luncheon at fashionable cafe "The
kid who had never seen the beautiful
city of Detroit before, waxed enthusi-
aStic, but Marion remarked that she
had an engagement and would have to
be excused. Mrs Fleming. who was
busy woman. told her son next morning
at breakfast that an actress did not
require chaperon
So the little soubrette. who was really
a Woodworking ambitious artistic and
was likewise engaged to young stock
broker in New York, did" Detroit In 4
Walters company for five brilliant
winter days. They talked of their re-
spective tiancees and each decided that
luckier mortals did not breathe And
when Walter had done his duty like
man. even to seeing the little actress
off on the midnight train for Mime
apolis, he sighed relievedly and never
dreamed of the awful fate which his
next interview with Marion held for
him.
There was only one floor between
him and the girl who was leaving
town today with bitterness in her
heart. yet there seemed no way of
passing the barrier.
'Going DOWN. yelled the elevator
COY.
Walter. hat in hand, made q dash
for the corridor. AS the elevator door
slammed shut he found himself face to
face with Marion. She was pale. plain
ly tired from the exertion incident to
moving. but she looked over his head |
as If her supply Of self control was utA-
limited.
''Going down."
"Oh, Charlie"
The elevator stopped with a Jerk |
The voice came from Mrs. Maddens |
room. She was a semi-invalid and a
privileged character In the Nassau
Charlie flung open the door and
crossed the hall. Mrs. Madden held out /
letter.
And l wish you'd stop at Mrs Tur-
ner's door and ask her to come up this .
morning"
'Yes'm." murmured Charlie, but as
he whrled round his heart throbbed
wildly. The door of the elevator shaft
stood open, but the elevator had disap-
peared. He stared at the quivering ca
bles. 1t was going down fast.
In the meantime affairs in the eIeva-
tor had taken sudden turn Marion's
face had gone a shade whittier as the /
elevator without any warning began to
drop swiftly. 1t was six floors at least
to the basement. She raised frightened I
eyes to Fleming's face.
Cant you
Il might simply make 1t worse If /
touched it. 1t won't strike hard. Sit |
down."
He pushed her gently into the leath-
er seat, then suddenly swung round
and threw himself on the lever. There
was no response to his effort. They
shot by startled faces ON the second
landing. Charities shrill screams ech- /
oed down the shaft. Fleming faced /
the girl. A world of passionate plead
ing shone in her eyes.
Walter, Walter. If we've got to die
I'm glad It's together"
His arms were about her, and her
face was hidden on his shoulder when
the crash came, For a few seconds
Fleming felt as If he bad Just rushed !