The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-06-26


surely buttoning of her gloves. A hand
touched her arm suggestively, but she
finished the buttoning calmly. Then
she said, without turning: mo, Sam,
not tonight. I'm going to walk with
Alice. We've got things to talk about.
Come" to girl who was standing
with young man just inside
''All right, I'm ready. No." to her
companion, you can't walk home with
me this evening, Tom. It's such short
way, and Carrie and 1 want to be to-
gether."
AS they went down the path third
girl Joined them, running from a boy
whose arm half rose In Intellectual pro-
test. The girl was giggling.
Il guess I'll walk with you, girls"
she cried. We've just got to cold
shoulder those boys a little or they'll
begin to think they own us, and I've
don't want their company that way
But isn't he sweetY'
Lovely" Carrie answered. She re-
garded the newcomer through the cor
ners of her eyes. Funny" she COM
mented, you've been keeping company
with John two years"
THAT'S just the trouble" the girl
giggled, 'it's getting too settled But
you've been going with Sam most as
long, Carrie, and folks do say-oh, you
needn't laugh, Alice. You and Tom
are pretty much in the same boat But
T.
feel it's getting too settled. The boys
need little-little more uncertainty"
"There never was anything between
Sam and me-" said Carrie, shortly.
Were just friends"
"Thats what Tom and 1 are" de-
clared Alice. Its silly the way folks
talk. What are you snickering about,
Lou?"
"Oh nothing" giggled the third girl;
only was sort of wondering if twas
him" Then, inconsequently, Hes
coming over to my house Thursday.
He asked if it would be convenient
when l came in this evening"
That's because you're committee
on the Easter decorations" observed
Carrie, indifferently, land his head is
full Of that just now. He spent all last
evening at my house"
Because you're the organist and
he's trying to improve the music" said
Alice Land knows, there's room
enough. I'm going to have him in to
supper Friday, just as friend"
There were some minutes of silence,
during which the girls walked on, sew
eral feet apart; then they came togeth-
er again, giggling.
Just behind them was a neatly clad
figure, alone. AT first this girl had paid
front; then, as the tones grew more in
sistent and she understood, she fell be-
hind, her face growing thoughtful.
Three young men pushed by her, in
dignant and yet evidently afraid to
advance, for they only went on few
steps, and then slackened their pace
Il tell you. boys, l won't stand this
thing much longer" she heard one Of
them declare hotly. This makes two
Thursdays I've been turned down, and
l thought everything was all right, and
I've even been on the lookout for a
house. or course, l wouldn't say this
to u"-apologetically and lowering
his voice, though not so low but the
girl behind was obliged to hear-"but
you two are being treated in the same
way. What's the matter, do you think
--him?"
mo. just girls foolishness," answer
ed one of his companions. Ellison
isn't a Mormon, and, besides, every
body can see he doesn't care for girls
He's afraid of them. guess ours are
only trying to see how much strain we
will bear
"Um! Maybe you're right"-doubt-
fully-"but l feel as though l ought to
be pinning the thing down somewhere
and starting row. If only he wasn't
quite $3.50 absolutely unconscious
The girl fell back still farther, be
yond any possibility of hearing; then
there came quick, firm step behind
her, and
How fortunate, Miss Jessie. was
afraid l might not be able to catch up
with you. l wanted
ITO see me about the new carpetT
she anticipated.
mo, just to see you" frankly. But
beg your pardon. l was not to al
lude to it again until after you finished
schooling. One forgets so easily. /
hope they are all we'll at homer"
She did not answer for some mo-
ments. When she looked up a tremu-
lous smile was playing about her lips,
but her eyes were clear and steady.
II withdraw what l told you that
evening, Burke" she said, land will
answer your request as you wish. and
and you may announce the engage
ment at once"
He stopped short, his face joyous,
but incredulous. Then he caught her
hands.
"Why, II don't understand it, Jes-
sie," he stammered. What does 1t
mean? There was no intimation of 1t
in your eyes or voice when spoke to