The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-11-21
BELINDA'S
INTERVENTION
Copyright, 1905, by A. NJ. D. Ogden
1900
By A. NJ. Davies Ogden

at WhAIA COuCiuSIOu SIG
yielded to her surging affection and
Rugged the puppy close, an attention
which he returned by a series of damp
kisses from small red tongue.
But there was still Aunt Lillian to be
reckoned with. Aunt Lillian did not
like dogs In fact, Belinda was not
sure that she had discovered what
Aunt Lillian did like, and Miss Fer
rars herself was beginning to have
doubts on the subject When her sis
ter's health had neeessitated a sudden
trip to Europe Miss Ferrars had eager
ly offered to take charge of Belinda.
The results had been startling. Miss
Ferrars. filed with conscientious en-
thusiasm. set herself to the task of in
culcating the precepts Of wisdom into
the youthful mind, but Belinda, placid,
unmoyed, pursued an unimpressed
course. Miss Ferrars sighed. She
had imagined children as clean faced,
curly haired infants with gentle, obedi-
ent ways. Belinda was rarely clean;
no amount of twisting could persuade
a curl into those unruly locks. Miss
Ferrars began to wonder whether she
had been wise to assume this respon-
sibllity She admitted to herself that
she did not in the least understand the
child, but she loved her, which helped
lot. even If Miss Ferrars did not
know it.
Now. daintily fresh and sweet in the
crispest of white muslins. Miss Ferrars
sat on the wide. cool veranda, embroid-
ering some pretty trifle. The sudden
apparition Of a shaggy, painting puppy
in her lap caused her to emit little
shrek. Then her eyes met Belinda's
earnest face.
TITS my new puppy" exclaimed Be
linda. II love him a lot, and he loves
me. He will love you. too she added
generously Miss Ferrars hesitated.
But, Belinda Belinda's lip began
to tremble; misty film crept over her
eyes. Miss Ferrars' heart softened.
"Well" she relented, ''if he is kept
in the stable, perhaps Why, Belin-
da"-struck by new thought-"w where
did you get hIm?"
Belinda waved a vague arm. cover
there" she observed Importantly. "A
man gave him to me. He said hiB
name was Frank, so that's the puppy's
name. l named him for him."
WHAT cried Miss Ferrars. She
the color had faded Frank! He was
back, then With a quick movement
she pushed the puppy from her lap.
How had he dared speak to the child :?
OF course she must not allow Belinda
to keep his dog. Yet, to break her
word-a thing against all her theories
Of upbringing! A troubled frown puck
cred her white forehead
you may keep the puppy" she de-
clared reluctantly, but he must not
come near the house. Do you under
stand, BelindaT'
And Belinda nodded blissful Eyes"
From that day the two were insep-
arabic If Miss Ferrars had hoped
that Belinda might grow tired Of her
acquisition, the hope faded. Wherever
the chubby little legs wandered, close
behind stumbled the faithful puppy
1t soon became impossible to enforce
the stable order; Belinda insisted upon
the constant companionshlp Of her
treasure.
Miss Ferrars grew restless The
pretty soft pink of her cheeks began
to pale. Why had Frank Halstead come
home? Did he mean to stay? This
possibility of running across him made
her nervous. She fell into the habit of
taking long walks in the country lin
gering along the shady woodland paths.
She wished to be out If he called she
told herself.
But he did not CALL and Miss Fer
rars' eyes began to have a tired, I'M
happy look. If only he would go away
And this constant hearing Of his name,
"Fwank, Fwank, Fwank, all day long!
Miss Ferrars felt sometimes as if she
hated the dog
Belinda, vaguely conscious Of some
thing wrong watched her aunt with
childish. wistful anxiety. Did auntie
really not like Frank? She said she
did not, but once Belinda had come
upon her patting the rough little back
and Belinda had seen that there were
tears, really tears, in auntie's eyes.
Belinda was sorely puzzled. She longed
for some one with whom she could
consult But mamma was away off
across the ocean, and Frank, though
striving his best to console, was no
use as adviser. And then suddenly
Belinda gasped under the force Of a
daring inspiration
II she could find that nice young man
who had given her Frank-if she could
talk things over with him! The mem
DRY Of the merry blue eyes. the kindly
smile. still dwelt In the child's grateful
little heart though since that day she
had been forbidden to go near the
gate, and consequently had seen him
no more. He could not live very far
away And he would help. she felt
sure To think, with Belinda, was to
act A moment later she was tramping
down the long avenue to the gate. She
woHld find him
Uo at the house Miss Ferrars wait
ed Where could Belinda be? The
cniids supper nour came and went; the
slow shadows began to Garken. Miss
Ferrars grew alarmed; it was not like
Belinda to be late for meals.
Hastily catching up lace scarf the
girl hurried toward the gate, some in
stinct warning her whittier the little
truant had fled. On the path just
across the road lay IL crumpled, much
soiled handkerchief. With quickening
heart beats Miss Ferrars ran down the
path. Had Belinda gone all alone in
to the woods? A little sob forced its
way out. Belinda, oh, Belindal
Round the turn in the path came the
round Of clear, mellow whistle, fol-
lowed by tall, straight limbed young
fellow. at the sight Of whom Miss Fer
rars felt for an instant as If all the
blood IN her body had rushed to her
heart Then all at once a strange feel
ing of security, of content, seemed to
envelop her. He was there; he would
make everything all right. The young
man came hastily forward.
"Lillian!' he exclaimed, then more
formally, Miss Ferrars.p
Miss Ferrars held out two appealing
little hands.
Belinda" she gasped. Belinda.
She is lost"
''LostY' echoed Halstead, puzzled.
"Oh, the little girl, you mean She
can't be very far away" consolingly
Come along; We'll find her"
But as they fastened down the path
HaIstead was not thinking OF the child.
A sudden glad tide of exultation was
racing through his veins She had