The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-01-24

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timid, entranced whisper.
The gentle. faded woman who re-
ceived the travellers had face like
cameo and appeared to harmonic adj
nlirably with her old fashioned sur
roundings She showed Carruthers the
rooms the children were to occupy
airy, immaculate rooms. with blossoms
nodding in at the windows. She offered
him luncheon. which he declined, apol-
ogized for the invisibility of her niece
and appointed day each week he was
to come to visit the children. Already
charmed by their surroundings, they
let him go without protest
When he came down the next week
It was to find the two rosy radiant
and ecstatic over their environment
He took them into town, bought them
some small treasures and listened to
their raptures about Florence" She
had made a null dress for Dorothy;
she had gone fishing with Eustace; she
played the piano for them while they
were having game of hide AID seek,
low or loud as they were hot or
"cold." And they were going to have a
party one of these days, with luncheon
served under the biggest oak.
"But who is this lady who is so kind
to your
"She's just Florencev' they answered
in chorus. ''She's good as real mann
ma, only she plays like she was just
little girl"
Always he heard these tales, and al
ways, 1t seemed, the playmate. Flor
eIIce, was the center and source of
their joy. Later in the season an i'm
perative that if he were to see the chill
dren before his trip west he must run
down at once.
Walking up the avenue, he stopped
short at the bend of the path, for on
the velvet sward a game of tag was in
progress. A slim, graceful young girl
in pink lawn gown was the pursued.
you're 1t, Florencer' cried Eustace
tri1mphantly as he succeeded in touch
ing the fleeing figure. And just then, as
the victim paused, flushed. breathless,
her copper gold hair loosened from its
pins and falling in bright shower be
low her waist, Dorothy caught sight of
the newcomer and set up hailing
shout ITS papal Here's papay' she
cried
The captive made one wild movement
toward fight, but the victor manfully
held on to her. And, after a laughing
protest, she came over to Carruthers,
where he stood bareheaded, his eyes
cleaning with admiration. and held
out her hand
1--WE been doubly caught, I'm afraid,
Mr.. Carruthers! l did not dream you
were coming today or l should not
have been found engaged in such an
undignified pastime. My name is Flor
encei Varine"
He leaned forward. Mrs. varine's
daughter
mo" She colored deliciously. 81 am
Mrs Varine," she explained.
"Ilnpossiblew exclaimed Carruthers.
He looked at her, amazed, mystified
Why. she could not be much over twen-
tyl And Claridge had said that she
was widOwi
Il was very distant relative of Mr.
Varine's," she explained. HE wished
to leave me his property, but there
would have been contention and litiga-
ton on the part of others more nearly
related were he to do so. But when he
knew he was dying he asked me to
marry him that he might legally will
me all he possessed. He died an hour
after the ceremony was performed
Mr.. Claridge was present"
"But," stammered Carruthers, "why
didn't Claridge tell me? Why was /
not to see your"
"Oh, was afraid If you knew how
young and irresponsible l was you
would not let me have the children to
take care of. Mrs. Claridge had told
me what darlings they were, and was
SO lonely down here. We've had such
good times together" She paused,
gathering up her shining hair. She
looked at him with luminous gray eyes
grown suddenly apprehensive. you
won't take them away, now that you
known she entreated
"Assuredly notp' he made quick re-
ply. "They are the most fortunate
children In the world. For the first
time since the death of their mother
have felt quite happy about them"
1t was astonishing how easily the i'm
portant business matters of Mr.. Car
ruthers could be set aside. He grasped
at the, Invitation to stay to dinner as
though that meal were in truth to save
him from starvation. And when he
finally did discover that if he would
catch his train back to the city he
must exercise all haste it was with pos
tive dismay that he left the three who
stood on the terrace, waving him fare
well.
The next morning he walked into
Claridge's Office.
you'll have to take run out and
attend to that Montana matter, Clar-
! idge,p he said. Il can't CO."
Cant, Ell? What's up? Something
more Important"
Very much more Important He
was smiling like a boy, and his eyes
were shining Fact is, I've not been
seeing enough of Eustace and Dorothy
I'm going to take room at the hotel
down there-they tell me there's good
fishing to be had-and I'll see more of
the children
Clarioge stared at him. Then he nod
ded and laughed.
you've seen that willful little widow
down at Cedarville."
Carruthers went of laughing.
| When he came in a few weeks later
the tan of country wind and sun was
on his cheek. He walked like a con-
queror. with his head up, and his voice
had ring good to hear
Congratulate me-" he commanded.
'The children are going to have the
loveliest mother in all the worldv'
Claridlge gripped the others hand
warmly. You're a lucky dog, Car
ruthersr'
IT know it, Claridge. There isn't a
king under heaven I'd change places
with! And those children
Claridge laughed leniently.
you internal fraudp' he said.
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