The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-11-07


sat together beneath the walnut trees
at the farther bunker of the Country
club links.
1t was one Of those hazy afternoons
which beget condolences Miss Reeves
herself could not have told how the
she was really aware Of what she was
doing she was telling Parkinson all
about it and Parkinson was listening
with grave sympathy.
She told the whole bitter story-her
engagement to Tom Marshall the quar-
rel which had broken it off and even
the ugly rumors which had come to
her ears concerning Marshalps down.
hill course since that time, and as she
finished there were tears In her eyes
and a strange little quaver in her
voice.
Parkinson was tremendously i'm
pressed. He had never seen her In a
serious mood before He sat quite still
for long time, staring thoughtfully at
the walnut leaves above his head. stir
ring indolently In the breeze. Then he
smiled his slow, enigmatic smile.
Don't you think It's too hot to play
the rest of the courseY he asked, and,
helping her to her feet, he suggested
that they go back to the clubhouse for
tea.
They went back in silence Once or
twice she glanced at Parkinson curl
ously There was still smile on his
face, but it was a very strange smile
1t seemed to mask something going op
in his mind
The following Monday Parkinson OBJ
tanned leave of absence from the of
fee and went to Boston. The latest
reports had located Tom Marshall
there. 1t was several days before
Parkinson found him in an obscure
little hotel. Marshall was looking
seedy, and there were unmistakabIe
marks of dissipation on his handsom,
face
Park" he cried as Parkinson enter
ed the dingy room where Marshall in
his shirt sleeves was sorting out bunch
es of lottery tickets IFS good old
Park, as l livel What brings you here,
old chap"
Parkinson sat down on a rickety
chair The room was small and hot
Moreover, he had just climbed six
long flights of stairs. He looked rather
tired and wilted.
Look here. Tom,". he said abruptly,
YOU'D better cut this out and come
home with me-"
Marshall laughed unpleasantly.
Like this, Park? l guess not.
Homes no place for me just yet"
Yes 1t is, said Parkinson, with I'M
wonted sharpness. Listen to me,
Tom. There's a girl over there that's
got to be happy at any cost" He paus
ed to mop his face He reminded Mar
shall of some great wounded animal
There was something like pain in his
eyes. And you've got to make her
happy" he went on. do you hear?
It's up to you You needn't worry
about money. can fix you up in that
line until you can get on your feet
again. But you've got to go back with
me anyway. She-she wants you to
come back. How do l know? Well, l
know, and that's enough"
Marshall tossed the lottery tickets
ON to the bed and turned to the other
man with sudden comprehension.
Park he said gently, you're a
queer old brick Yes, I'll go back with
you, if you say SO. Tonight? All right,
then, tonight it Isl
The messenger came with Margery
Reeves note just as Parkinson was
leaving the Office. He hailed the first
cab and drove uptown. his mind
vague maelstrom of doubts and fears.
The note was noncommittal 1t merely
requested him to call at the house as
soon as possible. Was she angry be-
cause he had found Tom Marshall and
brought him back. or did she merely
wish to thank him for his efforts In
that line? He had not seen her since
that afternoon at the links. The thought
of seeing her now cut him sharply.
The end, so far as he was concerned,
had come that day beneath the walnut
trees nv the farther bunker when he