The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-06-27

forgotten. Even before she saw him
he had sprung from a carriage, with
out regard to his horses, and was COM
ing up the postoffice steps with out
stretched hands.
Good heavens! You here, Muriel-
Miss Ashburton," he had cried. with
gladness In his voice which he did not
attempt to conceal and which brought
an answering color to her face and
light to her eyes. There had been
nothing between them except a look
and hand pressure, but she had often
thought of him in these later dreary
years and was glad to know he had
remembered her. Il looked for you
everywhere everywhere" he had con-
tinued, but without a clew. l was
afraid you had gone from my life.
But pardon me; we cannot talk here,
and l have a great deal to say. May
l call on you at once-this evening?
Is your father here?"
MY father is dead" she had man.
aged to say. Her brain had been in a
whirl, her heart In tumult. What
did it all mean? What was this i'm
petuous mailman saying, implying? By
strong effort she had controlled her
self.
Eyes, you may CALL" she had an
swered In a low voice. II will be
glad to see you" And she had given
him the number of the house in which
she rented one small room.
THANK you. l will be there early. I
would ask to go back with you now,
but l have an appointment which is
already overdue Isn't 1t providential.
though, this meeting? l have been In
Washington only three days. and to
turn up against you like thisY'
Have you employment here" she
had asked for want of something bet
ter to say.
Eyes, temporarily; job In the SEN
ate chamber You remember was a
jack of all trades, from a farm boy to
an impecunious prospector, with occa
sional dabs at fresco painting and jour
nalism to help me through college. But
will not detain you here in the wind
any longer"
She had watched him spring into the
carriage and drive away, an odd light
in her eyes and warm color In her
cheeks. AS she went down the side
walk she laughed softly. Eight years
before she would not have been like
this. Evidently he was without any
regular employment, Just doing some
temporary work in the senate chamber
-fresco painting probably. for he had
spoken of being familiar with that At
first, from his being in the carriage
holding the horses, she had thought he
might be q coachman, waiting for his
employers return. But, after all, what
did it matter? Coachman or painter or
impecunlous prospector, he was warm
hearted and honest and ambitious. She
could read that in his eyes and in the
strong, full grasp Of his hands. And
he had remembered her and-and cared
for her. 1t was beautiful to know that
in the hurrying. Indifferent world there
was one who still thought of her and
cared for her q little. The manner or
lack of employment was such a small
matter compared with that. Knowl-
edge of life soon leveled such petty dis
tinctions.
Almost unconsciously her steps had
turned toward the capitol The only
alternative seemed q continuation OF
her search for employment, and, some
how, she shrank from that just now,
even though she had been restricting
herself to single meal a day for
week. She would celebrate the finding
of friend. 1t was opening day at the
senate chamber and would be unusual
ly interesting, and perhaps she might
see this friend himself or some of the
work he had been doing.
There was q sudden stir in the line
ahead of her, and she felt herself being
pushed forward. The door was open
at last, and foot by foot, yard by yard,
she was being impelled toward 1t. But
when she entered every seat was taken,
and she could only crowd herself into
the narrow space behind the last row
She could see the chaplain and a few
Of the senators on the far side of the
chamber and upon the few desks in
sight gorgeous display Of flowers.
Presently she heard the opening
prayer and bowed her head. Then
there was confusion Of voices, with
quick, crisp sentences from one desk
and another, followed by a short recess
In which there was a great shaking Of
hands and introductions among the
senators. AT the end of fifteen or twen-
ty minutes some Of those In the Wis
20 rico orad loCr
They had witnessed the opening and
were now going home to lunch. Soon
she was able to step down to a vacant
seat in one of the front rows.
She had now a good view of the
chamber, and her gaze swept curiously
from desk to desk Many of the SEN
ators she recognized from pictures she
had seen In current periodicals. Sud-
| denly she started and half arose. She
had not thought to see him down there;
If she met him at all it would be In
one of the corridors, and probably at
work. But there he was, at one of
the desks. examining some papers.
| What did 1t mean? He had no right
to be in there now, while the senate
| was In session
An hour later she descended to the
next floor, still dazed and wondering.
As she left the elevator she met him
face to face.
"What! you here. Muriel-Miss Ash
burton?" he cried. This is splendid
! Now we can have that talk without
waiting until evening. know a coy
little table down in a corner of the
| cafe where we can be'all by ourselves.
| We will talk while we eat our lunch.
! Come"
She was looking at him with wide
eyes.
why were you in there. at desk?"
she demanded.
"In the senate chamber? Oh that's
my Job. You see, when left you that
day went straight to one of the new
towns and opened law office. My
father was lawyer, and l had studied
! with him. Somehow the people seemed
to like my ways, and last year they
! Matched up plot to send me here. But
come, we can talk better at the table.
have proposition for your considera-
ton, and" his voice suddenly becom-
ing grave. Il hone you will be able to