The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-01-30
BY Frank II. Soccer

disappointment without. A few min
utes later two horses with their riders
crossed the space and came to a stop
among the dogs.
II am glad he escaped, even If II
isn't sportsmanlike," laughed one Of
them. 81 felt sure the dogs would get
him at the open back there, they were
SO close 1t was narrow escape"
Pm not 80 sure Of that, Miss Bris-
tow" the other answered. THE fox
struck me as looking too fresh for such
dangerous propinQuity to be natural.
I've an idea his plans were all laid re-
garding this ledge and that he was
merely amusing himself with the dogs.
Shall l call them of and start them In
search Of a new scent? Nothing can
draw this fox from his stronghold
now"
No; wait until papa comes. His
falling behind meant that his horse
went lame, and he probably has gone
back to the stable for another. He will
join us before long"
She touched her horse lightly, urging
him TO the top Of the ledge, from which
they could look down into the valley.
Allan followed closely.
''It is one Of the most beautiful spots
l ever saw" he said as his gaze swept
over the broad, fertile acres Of the
farm to the lofty ridges that inclosed
it on every side. you have the gran
deur Of wild, untouched nature Joined
to the charm Of peaceful rural life-a
rare combination"
His eyes left the valley and came
back to her. with an expression In
them that made her turn away with q
half smile. Allan had been here two
months now and in that time had
learned things that had not hitherto
entered into his plans for a livelihood.
His hand trembled slightly as it check
ed the restiveness of his horse.
Yes; 1t Is beautiful here, and we ara
happy" she answered, but there was
trouble in her voice Then with sud
den raillery: you ought to be happy,
too, Mr.. Tisdale, If, as they say, it ID
prosperity that makes happiness. We
had letter from Emmett yesterday,
and he writes glowingly Of your mine.
He thinks there Is lot Of money in
it. And" looking at him inquiringiy,
''he writes as though he might pup
chase an interest In the mine"
Allan's face became grave.
II hope not" he answered. II like
your brother Emmett too well to wish
him such bad luck. He preached the
subject to me once, and put him Of.
1 thought perhaps his management Of
the mine for awhile would disenchant
him. Emmet's great fault Ia being too
sanguine, though" with a grimace. II
was somewhat that way myself, sup
pose"
1.-THE mine didn't pay"
1T has cost me a thousand q year
above my income SO far, and
He stopped suddenly, for she was
laughing, irresistibly, 1t seemed.
Il beg your pardon" she gasped.
checking herself with an effort Il
something struck me as very funny.
But please go on. will not laugh any
more. A thousand year, you said?"
YES" looking at her curiously,
''above the income receive from Eng
land. wouldn't like Emmett to incur
the same loss. As soon as / get back
l shall try to sell. The machinery will
he Vror.tb q small or,rn And hia 20 "a
kindling and his eyes again sweeping
over the valley and back to her face,
II have found it. / always liked agri-
culture, but never realized it could
show up to such advantage as it does
here. My idea was that farmers had
to keep hold of pillow handles and
things, but your father doesn't do any
thing except go fox hunting and read
magazines and listen to his fOreman's
report, and only this morning he told
me that he had no other resources than
the farm. IL have been thinking Of
it all the morning. l will buy valley
just like this somewhere In the neigh
borhoOd and be farmer. and with
what l have wei can soon build a
nice house." He paused, looking en-
barrassed, then went on hurriedly, eff
l can make a living Of lt-enough for
two, l mean-will you-will you help
me, Lois?
She had thrown up her hand, az
though to stop him.
wait a minute, Mr.. Tisdale," she
cried impetuously Il had not intended
to tell you, but | must now. You must
not try farming-for a livelihood, 1
mean. Our farm looks prosperous, and
l love the valley here better than any
place In the world. but-but we havl
been running behind a thousand ye ],
ever since we bought the place. That
was what made me laugh when you
said you were losing a thousand. 1t
seemed SO funny. You must not try
farming for living. AS to the rest, l.
l." her face flushing rosily, Jam willing
to help you, Allan"
She looked at him shyly, but his face
had suddenly grown stern. He shook
his head hopelessly.
Il must take 1t all back, Lois" be
groaned. IT cannot make living for
one. But here comes your father"
Mr.. Bristow refined In beside them,
bis face inquiring.
Hello, what are you waiting here
forT' he exclaimed. IF one fox has
Dutwitted you. why don't you start an
other? What's the matter? You look
like funeral"
IL have been telling Allan--Mr.
Tisdale-about our falling behind"
stammered Lois. You see, he spoke OF
buying a farm and following our ex-
ample, and l couldn't let him 90 on
thinking the valley was as prosperous
as 1t looked ON the surface"
Mr. Bristow's face fell. might have
waited until rainy day." he grumbled,
land not spoil good chase with such
news. But longs it's out, it's out, and
suppose you couldn't do anything less,
Lois. We couldn't stand by and allow
a guest to run the chance Of losing
his face becoming as overcast as their
own, Its all true. Well have to sell
the valley-the finest property ever
owned. A man can't stand 1t to fall
behind a thousand dollars every year
with nothing In the background"
Allan stared, half rose in his saddle
his face becoming TRANSPORTED.
"A thousand dollarsw he cried Joy.
ously. lis that what you, meant Caz