The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-08-22

couple of extra tickets for the theater
tonight. Can't you get Pat to take
your"
ITS always Pat you're a-teazin' me
about, Mr.. Howard. and there amt a
Pat-not for me. l amt pretty enough,
and, then, I'm thirty-fve Sure, it's
many year since I've seen a theater.
All our money goes TO the doctor. I'd
have to go alone"
mo. Mary; you must not be neglect
ed in that fashion," he said, turning
abruptly from the mirror Let me be
Pat tonight"
"Oh, Mr.. Howard, l couldn't-it
wouldn't-no, sir. Oh, Mr.. Howard,
it's -jokin' you are, after ALL" she ex-
claimed as a smile spread over his
face.
mo, Mary, | never was more serious
in my life. | am going to give you,
Mary McGinnis. the best time of your
life. Put on your best bonnet and be
ready by quarter to s. You live at
ION Third avenue, 2736, back, three
flights up. But Mr. Howard
mo excuses, Mary. Now goodby, OF
We'll both be late"
Throughout dinner at the club that
night Strong's face repeatedly relaxed
at the oddly of his experiment Its
unconventionality did not worry him,
for the wealth and social position of
the Strongs put him beyond the sting
of criticism.
Opera tonight. Strong?" drawled
young sCastlewood, whom he particu-
larry disliked. dropping into vacant
seat.
mo; had planned to surprise Gladys
Hastings with that new play-Man-
TOMS for change, but she's sick.
However,
"Well, you needn't waste any time
asking Elizabeth Miller" laughed Cas-
tlewood, 'for I'm going to take her
myself"
"Oh, don't worry" replied Strong.
nettled.
''No offense, old man; knew you were
inclined in that direction. though be-
tween two fires at present. But, by
the way" he added, aiming a parting
thrust 81 hear that Count de Migny
arrived here today en- route for San
Francisco. Guess you've heard Gladys
speak of him. Keep your eye on him.
He's a clever chap"
Smooth might better describe him
l know absolutely that he's bogus"
replied Strong.
''Oh, have it your way" drawled
CastIewood, departing. Strong was be-
tween two fires, and, knowing it, re
scented all the more these insinuations
Which disturbed him more, the
thought of Castlewood's recent marked
attention to Elizabeth or the arrival of
the count, he could not determine.
At first Mary was i'll at ease that
night with Strong, the luxurious car
riage, his evening dress and polished
manners being strange to her. but his
geniality soon put her at ease. On the
way he stopped at a florists.
'These violets are for you, Mary,
and the roses for another nice young
lady who is ILL.," he explained.
Thanks, Mr. Howard. and it's the
lady with the beautiful eyes that is
sick? Oh. | am so sorryi" she ex-
claimed
Eyes, she has beautiful eyes. Mary,
but where did you see her?''
''At the tea you gave in your apart
ments last year She thinks every
thing Of you, Mr. Howard. / could see
that plain, and If she grows up to be
as fine looking as her mother, why,
you'll-you'll'-
But her mother was not there" he
said, coming to her. rescue.
'Oh, yes. she kept saying Elizabeth
this and Elizabeth that She
but I'm not talking about Eliza
beth. These flowers are for Miss Hast
ings, the girl with the heavy auburn
hair" replied Strong. amused.
ooh. | remember her." she said dis
appointedly. Pm so sorry. l thought
it was-I mean-oh, don't know what
| mean. PHI an old goose, Mr.. How
ard she finally exclaimed. much dis
tressed.
They We're now at the Hastingses,
where Strong had ordered the coach
man to stop.
How is Miss Hastingst" Strong in
quired at the door.
"Why-why- Oh. she's better" re-
piled the well drilled man. recovering
himself. Strong left the flowers and
returned to the carriage with strange
misgivings
Strong did not heed the many won
dering Chances his friends cast in his
direction that night, for he was doing
his best to make it a red letter occa-
sion for Mary. Moreover. he was hav-
ing a heart to heart talk with himself,
in which two young women prominent
ly figured. What Mary said and did
in situation new to her is another
story, but when it was over she sighed
as if waking from a beautiful dream.
Hello, Strong Got her, after all,
entering the foyer. Turning. he saw
Castlewood with Elizabeth Miller.
How are you, Elizabeth he in
quired Miss Miller, let me present
Miss McGinnis, and Mr.. Castlewood-
Miss McGinnis." Castlewood, gazing
in wonder, forgot to bow, but Eliza
beth greeted Mary cordially 1t was
a friend of Strong. That was sutf1-
cient for her. Soon they passed on.
"Oh, Mr. Howard! That's the girl
with the beautiful eyes" exclaimed
Mary. "Ain't she handsome thought
And you don't care you
Il have not said | didn't care
Mary" he said simply, but earnestly.
And, oh, Mr. Howard, there is the
girl with the auburn hair, toor' she in
terrupted. Why, | thought she was
the sick one"
GLADYS Hastings" invountarily
came to his lips as he followed Mary's
gaze. In a moment he was opposite
her and their eyes had met
"Oh, Howard-I-I-I thought we-I
thought you We're going to the operaw
she exclaimed in confusion. You see,
the count came, and | was so much
better l couldn't disappoint him, as he
is here in New York only for one even
ing. But. pardon-let me present Mr..
Strong Count de Migny." And then
her eyes wandered haughtily to Mary.
And let me introduce the Duchess
of Kilkenny Miss Hastings and Count
de Migny." said Strong gravely, though
smiling inwardly. The counts French