The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-05-02

I'm lost-lost In Lynnv1lle wnere !
was born long time ago. The Lynn
Vile I remember was another sort of
place-used to be a public square
where the turnpike went down toward
the river, with market house and
courthouse
They've gone out to meet the rail-
road" Frank explained, smiling in
spite of himself
The stranger said, HIM then
plunged into tire middle of things with:
Say, what sort of proposition is this
Craig girl-Miss Jocelyn? You're bound
to know her if you live here"
''5he's most adorable" Frank an
swered, smiling.
The stranger looked at him, also
smiling, but shrewdly. IT'S plain she's
run her brand on you, young man. he
said. $50 you up and tell me who you
are7 And how you're fixed? No harm
meant. I've got good reason for ask
Ing. My names Challoner I've come
all the way up here to sort of even
things. When l got the straight story
Of my great-aunts will and knew how
internally she had treated the Craig
girl said to myself, Steve, it's up to
you to make tracks up there and marry
that poor thing"
sure you can do itT' Frank asked,
stormy red flashing into bis face.
Caalloner wheeled upon him. Lord,
yes" he said Even In Texas there
aren't many would turn down Steve
Challoner Ever hear of the Tomahawk
Ten ranch? Pretty complete outfit, If
do say it myself. 1t don't really lack
much but mistress, and that it's 60
ing to have, sure as this Miss Jocelyn
shows up as any sort Of Texas timber.
She ought to be that. This little old
state of Tennessee raises about the best
going. That's what made me wait so
long. I've been knowing / needed a
wife ever since the Tomahawk Ten got
to fall draft of 1000 steers, but some
low / couldn't fetch 1t to COME up here
after her. Now-well, l don't think I'm
going home by myself, not even If 1
find the wind blows the way l think 1t
does"
"How is that?" Frank asked
.Challoner laughed. why, that you've
gone and cut me out before ever l was
rightly cut in" he said. "Ain't that
about right?"
81 don't know" Frank interrupted,
but" doggedly, IF you'll come along
with me We'll very soon find out"
$50 you're going to see herw Chal-
loner calculated, with whistle. Then,
rubbing his hands, But you haven't
told me a word about yourself"
Frank ran into a brief account of
himself as they swung along the street.
Challoner listened attentively and at
the close asked: Now, one thing more,
are you right sure you ain't mortgaged
property? l don't see how you can
help being, living here where folks
can't do much but marry, specially wo-
men. Oh, no, l thought sor' noting
Franks frowning flush. Now you
speak up-the whole truth-before we
go step farther together"
would you ruin your life to please
other peopleT' Frank demanded.
Challonsr looked at him narrowly.
mo man ruins his life except by doing
wrong" he said. Tell me the whole
tale, then can Judge"
Gee, but you are in a sort of boxr'
he said when he had heard the tale.
Then, with a swift smile, But it
oughtn't to be hard to get you out,
with two men wanting to marry and
two women ready to be persuaded"
"You don't meanP Frank began,
reaching for the other hand. Challoner
returned the clasp, but said oracularly,,
'Wait until I've seen em both; no buy
ing pigs In a poke for yours truly.~
Then there was silence until they stood
side by side upon the Craig piazza
shaking hands with the two young wo-,
men, whose conclave they had inter-
rupted. Five minutes later Challoner-
managed to wink at Frank unseen.
And when after supper they marched
away arm in arm he burst out: Its all
right-mighty right-old sonI I'm with
you to the last cartridge. Jocelyn has
got the looks, but somehow that Amy
bunch Of calico is just the size want.
We've got a whole months time to
work in. Ought to be a pair of we'd
dings at the end Of it."
There were a pair of weddings, al
though they waited until fall When
they came of Amy was SO happy that
she made a beautiful Mrs. Challoner,
and Mrs. Palmer, ST., was nearly as
much in love with Jocelyn as her BRIDE
groom son.