The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-08-01
When the Light
Broke In
! Copyright, 1905. by Virginia L. wentz =

By Virginia Leila wentz


Copyright 1905. by Virginia L. wentz
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The rusty breasted robins were hop
ping about the lawn, and the crab
apple trees were splash Of pink in
the orchard beyond. The narrow beds
that bordered the paths in Mrs. Orms-
by's garden were gay with tulips and
jonquis, and from the leatiess branches
Of the wistaria vine hung delicate pur-
plish clusters of blossoms. flock Of
brown sparrows twittered in the cherry
trees, catbird was in the hedge over
yonder, and already the wrens were
building in the caves of the summer
house.
Somehow the smell of the sweet
spring air seemed to have awakened
something in Mrs. Ormsby's caller, a
girl of six and twenty, as she sat on a
rustic chair under the fast silvering
naples. 1t was 5 o'clock, and because
the day was so perfect they were hav-
ing tea served in the garden.
But, Constance if do not love him
how can l marry him?' the girl cried
impulsively.
Mrs. Ormsby waited for her maid to
deposit plate of thin bread and but
ter, some cream, SLICED lemons and
sugar on the little rustic table before
she answered.
''DO you remember, Clare when we
were at Nine Martins school-dear
me, it's eight years ago-an old sooth-
saver foretold that you'd marry mil
ionaire? Now, here's Mr. Stanley
Hughes, who can give you houses,
yachts, automobiles. and who, in the
bargain, adores you. Why, to be sure,
Clare, you must marry him. He's a
good man, and love will come later"
The girl made no reply. She was
looking dreamily at the robins and the
pink orchard beyond, a mist in her
lovely eyes.
of course" continued Mrs. Ormsby
thoughtfully as she drew the tea, Il
couldn't have married without love N.Y.
self, but you see, my dear, Chester
and are so old fashioned anyhow"
At the mention of the mans name a
quick wave of color surged over the
girls face and neck and brow. In the
sunlight which came aslant from the
west the gold of Mrs Ormsby's we'd
ding ring scintillated strangely With
a distinct effort Glare withdrew her
gaze from its flashing.
NO" she said, pulling herself to-
gether, mot lemon, Catherine. Cream,
please"
ITO know what love is is miracle,
though, after ALL" pursued Mrs. Orms-
by softly as she poured the cream.
"Why, I was just silly girl before /
met Chester. Then-life became glori-
fed; it became realr'
The catbird had flown to the cherry
trees and had burst out into passion
ate bubble of song. Clare's eyes sud
denly brimmed with tears. Was it the |
birds song or the springs beauty or |
her friends voice?
Look here, DEAR" said her hostess |
1mpulsively. Il don't want to force |
your confidence, but I'm sure of one
thing-there's been some heart affair
in your life that's hurt deep and left
you cynical Tell me about it. Let's
see If we can't straighten 1t out. Oh. |
Clare, pride is well enough-one can
have a certain amount of it and be
none the worse for it-but IT'S deadly to
make pet of it."
But there's such thing as righteous
PRIDE" flashed Clare She bent her
head and adjusted the emerald fieur-de-
lis at her dainty waist; then, rising, she
held out both hands to Mrs. Ormsby
and laughed. 1t was her habitual
light, pretty laugh.
Il really have to go now, Catherine.
You know l told you | could only stay
half hour But first / want you to
promise to forget that l came perilous-
~ near being sentimental and old fash
Toned, forget that l seemed bit sad.
Why. I'm quite happy, ON the contra
ry! I'm going to marry Mr. Stanley
Hughes. My wedding II be a smart af-
fair; my gown'll be a verltable dream.
and my husband II be one of the most
desirable gentlemen of the season.
Humph! Why shouldn't 1 be happy?"
Don't go just yetw pleaded Mrs.
Ormsby, not needing the badinage, but
looking straight into the girls eyes.
"Chester's train is due now, and he'll
be here any moment l want you to
meet him."
Suddenly, even with the words of her
friend, an impulse took possession Of
Clare, She deliberately seated herself
again.
Catherine" she said whimsically,
my moods changed I'll stay, and I'll
give you a little of my confidence, If
you care l did love some one once,
but-he's married now. 1t was some
thing like this: Imagine a girl who
knew scarcely anything of the world
of men or of the things men do to be
engaged toto a man whose name
spelled Paradise to her with a capital
p. Imagine a friend of that man and
Of the girl passing a lot of his time
with them both. Indeed, he CHANGED to
be such a stanch friend to the girl that
he refused to permit her to marry a
man not worthy of her. though the man
AAeto OCCh LIS bOSOLAi ltul IL lBdt tat
bird would only stop singing! 1t made
her want to cry.
"Well," continued Clare, he proved
certain things to the girl and she wrote
to the man she loved better than life
and told him that really she did not
care for him at all-that it had all been
a mistake. 1t saved her pride. but 1t
froze her heart, Catherine"
poor. dear Clare" answered Mrs.
Ornsby, touching the lace on the girls
Hlmy. sleeve in gentle, sympathetic
fashion. And the man-what did he
ray to the Iote?"
"Never answered it." contemptuous-
y. In fact, the girl never heard from
him till she got his wedding cards
You see-why, don't, Catherine-not for
me-" as Mrs. Ormsby brushed a tear
rom her eye. 'Was I talking like q
auaen2"