The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-09-26


big man beside the fireplace ignored
preliminaries. He looked from her
eyes to the cluster of double violets
on her breast.
Il see you got my flowers the
message"
She nodded. THE violets are dear
and I'm sorry you're going away. 1t
isn't for long, is it?" with timid hesita-
ton
For good and all l leave tonight
on the IL o'clock train, so thatsI haven't
much time"
'Oh, tonightp' said Jane and sat
down with apparent indifference and a
real need for support
He leaned one elbow on the manteI-
shelf and lowered over her.
They've given me a splendid place
in South Carolina. It's what l have
been waiting for, and it's come like a
shot ! only got the appointment to-
day"
II congratulate you," said Jane, Won
dering what there was in the world to
live for, after ALL
He looked at her for moment in
silence, and she looked at her violets
through queer grayish mist
Jane he said at last, you know
what it Is want to ask you, don't
your
James heart missed a beat unac-
cOuntably, then throbbed like mad to
make up for lost time She tried to
speak
"Ja-ane,| called voice in the hall.
Where are you, JaneY'
She's in the library" Jane heard her
sister answer. Sister, here's Lillian"
Just minute" pleaded Jane half
aloud and ran out Of the room.
Thurston heard murmur of voices
in the hall
II won't stay-no, indeed, l won't, 4"
said one, and another, James own, an
swered-he realized with satisfaction,
not quite regretfully II wish you
would"
There was a soft furry of skirts. a
nervous little laugh, and Jane came
slowly back into the room.
1T was Lillian she explained. 1--WE
run In on each other at all hours, and
she didn't know you were here so she
Wouldn't
Il haven't much time" said Thur
ston gently. Lets not waste 1t on Lii
liam. Do you remember what l was
saying?"
Jane remembered.
Tell me, then" said the man, lis it
worth while my saying it-don't WEI
Some ones coming" breathed Jane,
and ThurstOn released her hands Just
in time
Jane" said a mild voice from the
door, the maid said your mother was
here Why do you have the room so
dark. child? l can't see thing Why
don't you light another lampr'
"Oh Aunt Jane" cried her name
sake, stepping forward with weak eff
fusiveness and presenting a dutlful
cheek to be kissed This is Mr.. Thur
ston-you remember him, don't your"
''Oh, yes" said Aunt Jane, yes, in
deed. l suppose you're one Of the In
diana Thurstons? l had a very dear
friend once, Harriet Barnes, who mar
ried Thurston from Indiana. Any
connection Of yours?"
Not that know of" rejoined Thur
ston. with tense politeness. 1--WE are a
New York family"
Il never heard of that branch" said
Aunt Jane, with an air that discredited
it at once. Where did you say your
mother was, JanieT
Upstairs, dear Aunt Jane She'll be
SO glad
Are you quite well, Janie?" asked
the old lady suddenly. Your cheeks
are SO flushed and your hands are
quite cold; you're not shivering, are
you? She's such an imprudent thing,
Mr.. Thurston"
Aunt janet? called voice from the
head Of the stairway. And Aunt Jane
departed.
They waited till the door had closed
behind her. Another half hour gone,'
said Thurston, with angry tenderness.
Your hands are cold and your cheeks
the prettiest pink. Is IL because
you
'Oh, wait" she pleaded, drawing
away from him. Pm sure l heard
some one in the hall-please"
II don't care If the whole world were
just outside the door, and it apparently
is" said Thurston. II want you to
answer the question I've been trying
to ask all the evening will you
There is some one" whispered Jane
Historically. and tiinging herself into
a chair just as Bobby Martin, noisiIy
cheerful and sure Of welcome, burst
into the room.
Just got a WIRE he cried gayly
Passed my exams, Jane. knew
you'd be dying to hear, so thought I'd
run over and let you know. Hello,
Thurston! Isn't it bully, Jane? I'm
going up next week"
''How do you dor said Thurston fu-
riously.
Perfectly fine" said Jane. endeavor-
Ing vainly to inject some enthusiasm
glad l am, Bobby"
Il knew you'd say SC" Bobby agreed
cheerfully, coiling his awkward length
into the Morris chair But l tell you
1t was no joke. examining for those
beastly things-came near fiunking the
German-ach du lieber- six pages of
translation Ever funk an exam,
Thurston
mo" said Thurston sayagely.
Bully for you! l say, Jane, there's
fellow in the crew says he thinks
might get on if l train hard enough,
and I'm going to try for end on the
varsity"
THAT will be nice" said Jane weakly
Mice, It'll be great If l can do it.
say, you're looking mighty fine tonight,
Jane; been rubbing your cheeks? Your
eyes are as shiny
How mean, Bobby! Are they gen
orally so dull?" Jane glggled nervously.
"Why did you look at the clock, Mr..
Thurston?"
my train leaves at H." said Thurs
ton gloomily.
"Going away, Thurston?' queried
Bobby, with interest. "Where"
South Carolina"
"NIr. Thurston is leaving onto live
there" put in Jane hopefully
"Oh, say, that's great" Her effort
died unnoticed. South Carolina's a
fine old place. was there one sum-
mer. tell you what, Thurston. they
have the prettiest girls you ever saw.
Jolliest, brightest things not bit
stiff A fellow can have mighty good
time there"
81 suppose 80" said Jane stiffly. IT
dare say you had good time there
yourself Was that the summer you
were expelled from college?. should
not think, Bobby, that you would care
70 taliy a bout ~