The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-08-15
Copyright, 1906. by R. B. Mcclure

Inat IL is IN line WIN my Oner Work.
Yes" he went on thoughtfully, II think
we shall succeed"
And them" she asked
His face was very bright and eager,
and she found, to her CONSERVATION,
that the color flooded her cheeks as her
eyes met his. Embarrassed, she picked
up spray of apple blossoms lying on
the table. She walked over to the
fireplace, drawing the pink and white
petals nervously through her fingers.
He followed her and stood with one
arm resting on the manteL
Il WONDER" he said In a voice he
tried in vain to steady, "lf dare to I'M
fold the rest of my aspirations"
why notr she replied, trying to
speak easily You know l care very
much for whatever concerns you" IN
der the circumstances this was about
as unfortunate a remark as she could
well have made.
Treasured he came closer. Like all
well regulated aspirations" he said,
with embarrassed hesitancy, they are
inspired by one governing idea He
broke off abruptly and, with quick
step toward her, took her hands In
bis. His embarrassment had gone and
his eyes were very tender. Surely
you know, Catherine, sweetheart" he
whispered unsteadily; surely you
know"
For a moment her heart seemed to
stop, then with all her strength of will
she pushed him from her mo, no.
Richard, cannot" she whispered bro
kenly Il have promised. l cannot"
Promised what, sweetheart he
asked, puzzled by this sudden change
you know, we have seen great
deal Of Mr. Charming lately" she went
on unsteadily HE is often here and
is always sending us things-books,
game. flowers. Every day something
comes either for mother or me. Usual
ly for mother, though-so l never
dreamed-he Is so much older
Today" she went on, mournful
little catch in her voice, his man
brought those" She nodded toward
curiously wrought bowl on the table,
where, massed In sweet profusion,
wealth Of apple blossoms overlooked,
pink and white and fragrant with faint
perfume. And this" She walked to
the desk, and. picking up a note, held
it out to him.
Mechanically he took 1t. dearest of
all women 1t began-and he read it
to the end
His face went suddenly white.
Catherine, surely you will not mar
ry this man2' he demanded hoarsely.
She covered her face with her hands.
II have promised" she moaned.
Promised! He doesn't even ask for
your answer until tomorrow night"
Il have promised mother" she ex-
planned, with gentle dignity. There
are business reasons cannot explain.
He was very kind three years ago
when father died. We owe 1t to him
to do anything we can"
ut Is absurd! Quixotic! The man
is three times your age" he returned
hotly. Then his voice changed and be
took the slender hands In his Sure
ly you will not do this thing-let me
talk to your mother" he pleaded
gently.
Mother nns& not know" she said.
Had you seen the distress In moth
er's face you would know l must DO
it." she continued Don't you under
stand?" she ended plaintively.
mo, / don't" ne answered grimly,
"but do understand that John Chan
ming is worth couple of millions.
Women are all alike" he went on, with
sudden bitterness. ITS never what a
man is, but what he has that tips the
scale. Love cannot compete with
Bradstreet. I've been the usual kind
of fool, l suppose" he ended. with a
bitter little laugh.
If he had taken her In his arms,
then and there, it would have ended
differently, but he was very young and
very proud and very unhappy and
thought it was a manly thing not to
show how much he cared Or If she
had let him see that he was dearer
than any other man, millions OF no
millions. he would not have gone, but
she, too, was young and proud
0Op uklIL anu dilEIys hc ilfitl lSDilCf anu
she stood where he had left her. She
wanted him to GO of course, but 1t was
hard to have him leave like that. She
meant to be very brave and cheerful;
she kept her heartache to herself; her
mother or her husband here a little
wave of self pity shook herr should
never know. She sank into chair and
&oI II
The bright, fair head dropped slowly
until 1t rested against them, and the
Are light threw f1tful. golden shadows
on the white folds OF her gown and
quivered Enthusiastically on the mass of
fragrant blossoms over her bowed
head.
The dance at the Ventnor Country
club was iii full swing Lights were
blazing; the sound Of violins came
through the open window Inside, the
fifth dance was well under way, and
a distracted, disheveled young man
sought frantically for a tall, golden
haired girl in Thin white gown.
Meanwhile the owner of the white
gown and golden hair had slipped
away-away from the lights and music
and confusion away from the vision
of stern, gray haired man which had
suddenly confronted her-and stood on
the wide. moonlit porch outside, alone
in the sweet scented dusk.
''You are so silly to act like this"
she argued with herself. HE isn't
going to hurt you, is he? 1t doesn't
help 1t any to stay out here and be a
coward Go back You said you'd
do it, Go back Then she drew closer
into the friendly shadows and laid her
hot cheek against the cool, young
leaves. Richard. Richard, dear" she
repeatedly softly.
Inside, the dance had ended. The
music stopped with a crash; the dane
ers scattered in little groups, and the
erstwhile distracted young man found
evident consolation in the society of q
plump little brunette, who showed no
inclination to elude him.
Two persons who had been watching
the dancers detached themselves from
the crowd and came toward her along
the moonlit porch; her mother. pretty.
graceful, looking singularly young as
the moonlight touched her flushed and
-yes-laughing face, There was no