The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-03-07

OF
LOVE
By
CECILIA A.
LOIZEAUx

NF by Cecilia A. 8
savvVTwTrTmTFrTIT
Ned Cramer showed the little canoe
into the water and waited a moment,
the tying rope in his hand. While he
waited he looked at Anne Prescott, who
was standing on the very edge of the
wharf reading a letter. Anne's dress
was of cerulean blue linen, and the set
ting sun made her hair red gold. Final
ly Ned spoke, albeit the picture was
rarely pretty and appealed to him.
Ready, Amer" he called.
"Al rightr' said Anne, but she didn't
move, and Ned waited some more pa
tiently, for he knew he was soon to
have his innings and was in 10 hurry
to take the bat But when he spoke the
second time he said firmly:
Come, Anne"
Anne tore the letter in two, threw it
into the water and came to the little
bark, where she settled herself Indian
fashion on her knees in the business
end of the canoe. She he'd it steadily
while he stepped in and bestowed his
long length of limb opposite; then she
let the boat drift while she rolled up
her cerulean blue sleeves. 1t was one
of Anne's peculiarities that she always
did the padding herself. 1t was not
merely that the attitude and motion
were becoming to her, though she was
aware of her good points, like most well
balanced girls. 1t was simply that she
preferred having the men at a disad-
vantage-at her mercy, as it were. They
always looked awkward with nothing
to do, and it seemed hard for them to
keep up the conversation. .
Ned Cramer was a little different.
He always made himself supremacy
comfortable, and, while he didn't look
at her as much as most of the fellows
did, his glance always put her on her
mettle.
The quick strokes of her paddle sent
them rapidly downstream. When they
reached the first bend they passed the
letter, which was Swimming along the
surface.
"We'll go down to the island and see
how long it will take for the letter to
get there" said Anne, and Ned assent
ed lazily. He lit cigarette and smok-
ed awhile in silence. When he spoke
his words were, as usual, to the point
when are you going to marry me,
Amer
Anne, deliberately surprised, held her
paddle in midair in a charming pose
for moment; then it dropped into
the water with a splash.
Il have no present intention of mar
rying you at all" she said.
''Then it's a good time to form an
intention. I'll help you" He smiled
persuasively. Make it October. Fall
weddings are so pretty, and that will
give you two months to burn all your
old love letters and make your good
resolutions
The blood rose under the tan on her
cheeks, but her only answer was a
vigorous and renewed padding Ned
threw away the stub of his cigarette
and felt in his hip pocket for his to-
bacco pouch. If he was nervous he
did not show. it.
"Shall we say October, then?" he
queried, adding with a note Of tender
ness in his voice: you have made me
very happy, Anne. You will not re-
gret''-
well, Of all the cool impudence l
ever heard" gasped Anne. 81 wouldn't
marry you if-if''- She stopped, ex-
asperated.
IF you didn't love me-" he finished
for her.
81 hate your she boiled. This is
six times you have made that insane
assertion this summer. Love you!
act as if loved you, do ~ She stop
ped padding and looked at him. Her
eyes blazed, and he thought she hadn't
looked so pretty since the last time
she had refused him.
NO" he said; you act as if you
didn't, but 1 know you do" He looked
serious why, it stands to reason
Anne, that you love me or you wouldn't
get so mad when l tell you about it"
Ned Cramer," she blazed out, III
you ever try to make love to me again
Pll-I'll make you sorry! Now, you
either talk about something else OF
keep quiet"
She had evidently forgotten about
/ her intention of reaching the island, fol-
she put down her paddle and let the
canoe drift idly along shore. 1t was
! growing dark, and crescent moon was
family shining in the east Anne, look
ing attentively upstream, saw white
speck in the water and. taking her pad
die, fished it out and deposited it, drip
ping, on his knee.
''It's the letter." he announced, touch.
! ing it. Anne started.
''Give it to me-" she demanded, hold
ing out her hand.
"After I've read it," he said calmly
Ned Cramer that's my letter, and
you have no right to read it."
"On the contrary, it's mine since
firstly, you threw it away, and, second
ly, picked it up again and gave it to me
to have and to hold"
Anne quaked, but she tried bravado.
''Well, it's too dark to read it any
how; besides, it's all soaked and blear-
| ed" she said
'My excellent eyes are not the least
Of my many good points" said Ned
spreading it out carefully. Anne looked
about for means Of escape. She saw
! Ned lean out and snatch something out
of the water.
IT'S the other half" he beamed
''Now, I'll read it to you" He patched
I the halves together, held them to his
! eyes moment, laid them down again
i on his knee and glanced over at Anne
! She looked relieved.
! 81 told you it was too dark" she said
triumphantly.
81 have some Matches he answered,
pulling out little silver case
"Anne," he went on, you know you
love me-"
Il know that 1 hate you" she an
swered
Anne" he said, smiling at her, I'm
going to give you just one minute to
1 tell me you love me, and, if you don't
! say it, then I'm going to prove it to
you"
Annes heart painted to say Yes" but
her stubborn will would not yield. She
I said weakly, Ned, r.
Timer called out Ned, and then he
lit a match and leaned over the letter
! Anne bent forward. her lips parted, her
fingers twitching. The canoe rocked
! dangerously
"'Of course / love Ned" read the
man slowly. THE letter" he interrupt
ed himself, ''seems to be from-er
some one to Clara Carlton. of course
love Ned, but he is too sure of it, and
mean -
4 He never finished the sentence, for in