The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-02-21

tiful it is! Oh, Jack, isn't she-isn't
she just perfectT'
The young man smiled down upon
the enthusiastic girl at his side.
''She is beautiful, but not perfect"
"Why not?"
Betty opened her eyes wide with
amazement.
Because" continued the young man,
''she ought not to have any trouble in
knowing whom she wants for her hus-
band"
why not? One man might be rich
and the other man poor. Don't you
see the pink rose is small and pale,
while the other rose is a full blown
beauty of rich velvety red.
Jack shook his head
Anyhow she should not hesitate for
a moment She should take the man
she loves"
And be poor and miserable all her
life?" inquired Betty mischievously.
Not miserable, but poor and happy,
perfectly happy"
Jack Winslow was watching his COM
panion's face Betty laughed.
"Well,' replied she, perhaps you are
right after all. Here comes Frank
Carlyle"
A tall, slender young man walked
leisurely up to Miss Betty's side, and,
bowling slightly to Jack, he turned to-
ward the picture.
"WelI,'' remarked he after q mo-
ments silence, "she is in fix, isn't
she? Pink or red; it's down to a
choice Of a favorite color, it seems to
me-"
mot at ALL" replied Jack testify.
(Which does she love bestT
"Welr-Frank elevated his brows
as though surprised isn't that about
what l said? She has chance to Sc
lect her favorite now, and why doesn't
she do it without so much troublef"
Betty, who had been silently admir-
ing the picture during the converse
ton, now turned again toward her COM
panions.
''She is girl you known
YES" replied both of the young men
at the same time.
"a GIRL" continued Betty, has to
wonder sometimes whether she knows
her own mind or not. Here are two
men. Both are kind and attentive to
the girl. Both offer her the best that
he has to give Both pay her the high
est compliment that man can pay to
woman, for each one in turn asks
her to be his wife. Here, on the one
hand, are riches, life with every wish
granted, a mother and father made
comfortable, and husband who loves
you If she does not love him, she
respects and admires him. On the
other hand are a life of everlasting
economy, home where there may al
ways be the necessities Of life, but
very few of the luxuries; a father and
mother who must continue in their
same circumstances, a little trip now
and then when there chances to be an
excursion, and husband who loves
you, who denies himself for you and
whom you in your turn love. Which
shall 1t be?"
Of the young men answered, 1.-The man
you love"
Betty was twisting the chain Of her
satchel around her finger. She laugh
ed and shook her head when she heard
the answer.
well, see that you are both as
yet at the romantic age"
care your
Frank Carlyle looked down into the
fair, sweet face close beside him. Bet
ty looked a. Jack Winslow He was
frowning Then, turning her face once
more towar' Frank and looking mis-
chievously sideways at Jack, she said,
''Who knowsY'
Frank laughed and looked at his
watch
Half past A." said he. "Well,
must be of If you were going" look
ing first at Betty, then at Jack. why,
it's so beasrly unpleasant l thought
perhaps l might give you a lift in the
carriage" Jack declined with thanks.
A deep dimple Swallowed Betty's pink
cheek for moment Then, looking de-
murely at Jack, she answered Franks
question.
Il would be ever so much obliged to
you if you would just drop me at my
door, Mother scolded because came
out, and it will appease her wrath
somewhat to know that came home
without being touched by the rain"
Jack said nothing, but his face was
very pale when Betty gave him her
hand at the carriage door. Frank tried
to coax him to change his mind, but
Jack was firm, because Betty did not
second the invitation. Just as the car
rage door was about to be closed Bet
ty leaned out
"Oh, Mr.. Winslow, / have decided to
go to the Freeman dance Friday night"
Then the carriage rolled away. When
they arrived at Betty's home neither
Frank Carlyle nor his companion saw
the figure standing in the shadow of a
tree on the opposite side of the street,
and when Frank left Betty at the door
and sprang again into his carriage Jack
Winslow walked away with a sigh Of
relief.
Anyway" murmured he, "she didn't
ask him to come in"
Friday night and the Freeman ball
came at last. Betty stood before her
mirror looking at her reflection. The
white null gown, a gift from her aunt,
who rarely gave her niece anything
worth mentioning, was very becoming
to the girl. She had arranged her hair
after the style of Mr. Elfland's famous
picture, and she smiled as she looked
at the change it made in her appear
ance.
IF weren't quite so pink and round
might look something like her, but
she was pale and sad. Somehow I am