The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-02-14

TALL, DARK GIRL.
gave me a shock that made my heart
stand still. l was just thinking how
sweet and beautiful life would be-you
and / together-always l felt as II
forever had already begun, and right
in the midst Of it you plump down re-
mark like that as If our engagement
were a mere episode, pastime You
didn't mean it, darling You
Just here further words became I'M
necessary, but later on Felicia returned
to the subject.
"Still, Jack"-she spoke in the
thoughtful voice of person who has
been mentally occupied with her sub
ject-"t theoretically it does seem right.
Engagements are made to be broken,
If they will break More than that, l
believe that when people are engaged
they ought to see as much as posi-
ble''-
"Of each other" he interpolated ap-
provingly.
"Of other eligible men and women"
she continued calmly, 'just to prove
beyond any possible chance that they
really are the right persons-the final
right persons. Every engagement should
be thoroughly subjected to the third
person test"
Jack frowned. 1t seemed to him that
the dearest girl in the world was talk
ing nonsense chilling, analytical, dis
quieting nonsense.
81 believe in letting well enough
alone" was his pointed comment, but
long after he had turned his back upon
the moonbeams that night and fallen
into deep and healthy slumber Felicia
sat at her chamber window, her chin
pillowed on her hands, possessed by
the thought that possibly out In the
great world somewhere there was what
she called her ultimate love"-a man
before whom Jack would pale as other
men had done before him. Some way
the thought made her eyes grow wide
'By the way" said he when, after
breakfast the next morning, he strolled
over, as usual, ''the Danbys arrived
last night, and the mater sends word
that you're to come back with me to
meet Miss Dandy. Oh, come on" he
continued as Felicia looked down at
herself with debating eyes. you
needn't ever expect to look better than
you do in that pink linen. 1t would be
work Of supererogation If you did"
Thus beguiled, the young lady yield
ed, following him along the narrow
path that skirted the hedges and talk
ing blithely enough, though she said
never a word Of the thing that was
nearest her heart.
SIS she pretty? Is she fascinating?
Do men like her?' were the questions
that were running through her mind
OF course as his mothers guest Jack
would have to pay her a good deal Of
attention.
Hurry Upr' she ordered suddenly,
feeling quick, breathless need to find
out for herself just how seductive Miss
Dandy was, and five minutes later she
was greeting a tall, dark girl, whose
eyes ana smile nullited all attempts a,
criticism
Jack, too, seemed impressed by the
unusual character of the newcomers
charm. In repose her face was almost
ugly. Then she would turn those won
derful, coercing eyes upon you and
smile, and forever after you watched
and waited.
Even In that first hour Felicia trem-
bled for her supremacy. Covertly she
noticed that Jack was as irresistibly at
tracted as she herself was. For ten
whole minutes he had not once looked
In her own direction.
''She has lovely SMILE" the latter
observed craftiiy as her lover walked
home with her
Heavenly was hS unsuspecting
answer. "And her eyesI By Jove,
never saw such eyes, 1t isn't that
they're so beautiful, but it's what they
say. When she looks at you you fee
as if you're itT'
! Felicia, walking behind him in the
narrow path, felt suddenly bereft She
didn't have eyes thst made you fee
! that you were it. She didn't have q
smile that even Jack grew enthusiastic
over. She was just pretty.
$50 unusuall She draws you in spite
Of yourself. l simply can't keep my
eyes off her She's fascinating"
On he went in the same strain, toe
absorbed expressing his interest and
admiration to his other self to notice
the forlorn brevity Of her replies.
mot to come over this EVENING" he
repeated in surprise when, at the door
she told him her wishes. you must bt
crazy. OF course I'm coming"
But in spite Of his protests she wa:
obdurate, and he went away in huff
If Felicia were capricious during the
following week, Miss Dandy was al
that a man could wish. In her society