The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-04-25

ON HERS.
more turned to chat at her ease with
the elderly beau at her shoulder. Mu-
sic held no charms for her.
The girl, too, stared in but listless
fashion at the stage where Sigmund
lay exhausted by the dying fire. What
significance did it hold for her? Once
she had loved music, but now The
girl shivered slightly, feeling that all
emotion lay dead in her heart. Hence
forth luxury, comfort, was to be her
desire. CHANGING up at the gallery
gods, where they leaned in ecstasy,
her lip curled in memory Of the times
when she, too, had sat there, contrast
ing those times unfavorably with her
present position. And that cold little
room that she called homeI
The man beside her could give all
that heart could wish; the countless
resources Of immense wealth lay at
his command. And tonight she had
been brought here that he might ask
her to share all this Tamely she sat,
awaiting his pleasure For a moment
the girls pride revolted. A hot flush
burned her face. 1t had not been like
this when Randolph had begged her to
wait for him.
Il love you, love your he had said,
his clear blue young eyes looking
straight into hers. "And when l have
won home l shall come for you"
But that was year and more ago
now. And matters had been growing
steadily worse with her. First had
come the long illness, using up her lit
tie board, then her difficult struggle to
resume work. How different every
thing would have been If her father
had only livedl Her mother was a
mere, vague, beautiful memory. There
was only Aunt Ella left. And Aunt
Ella, though she meant to be kind, was
not generous. Then Granville Whitta-
ker had appeared on the scene and to
her aunt's unbounded triumph had
been captured by the girls high bred
beauty. Thereafter morning, noon and
night Aunt Ella had impressed upon
her the duty Of accepting this opportu-
nifty.
Think Of all you can do with such a
fortune" she urged "all the people
you could help" skillfully striking the
effective chords, "all the good you
could do" And Mabel, tired, exhaust
ed, felt her resistance breaking. A
month ago she had written Randolph
few lines telling him that they were
too poor to marry; that an engagement
between them was not fair to either
(Aunt Elias suggestion, this). And
there had been no answer. Somehow
she had not expected him to let her go
quite SO easily. 1t was not like him.
Aunt Ella must be right In saying that
men forget lightly. She had waited,
hoping for she knew not what But
now she felt that the crisis could be
put of no longer, and internationally
she awaited the crucial moment.
But in spite of herself the glorious,
wondrous harmonies sweeping through
the orchestra began to assert their an
Client sway. On the stage Sieglinde, all
in white, came creeping down the
stair, and Siegmund sprang to his feet.
The girl felt the starved sympathies
within her awakening And then, with
sudden soft preluding of exquisite
sweetness, Siegmund broke into the
full rush and swing of the spring song,
Winter Storms Now Wane to the
Winsome Moons"
The notes poured out in very food
of exultant joyousness. Mabel's throat
contracted; her eyes glowed Thou art
the springP' rang Sieglinde's rapturous
answer. And the girl utterly obllvious
of all else, bent forward, her lips part
ed, her breath quickening, absorbed,
enthralled by the mighty weaving web
of melodies. Whitaker spoke, but she
did not hear. Her aunt frowned. But
the girl, conscious only of a sudden
passion for outdoors, for the eternal
verities, for life, was beyond the reach
of criticism.
The curtain fell, and with little
sigh Mabel came slowly back to earth.
A quick, cynical curve marred her
mouth. Spring! What was spring
after all? A cheat, an illusion of the
senses, beautiful dream that melted
inevitably into the frosts and chill Of
winterl There was no spring for herl
And then she saw him He stood In
the aisle, his eyes fixed on hers. Then
he moved toward the nearest door. As
she waited the girl became duly aware
that she was trembling. The elderly
beau rose to leave the box, and as he
passed out Randolph entered Unheed-
full of the chill clvility Of Mrs. VIII
more's bow, Cortright turned to the
girl.
Il went to your apartment, but they
told me that you had gone to the
OPERA" he said. MAY have word
with your"
Mrs. Wilmore's frown was porten-
tous.
Il am sure you can have nothing to
say to my niece that any one may not
hear" she said, with stately politeness.
Cortright bowed.
"As you please. There is certainly
nothing that l am ashamed Of" be
returned steadily. mabel, when your
letter came l was out on the range; it
was delayed some weeks before 1 re-
ceived it. After had read 1t, for one