The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-09-18

COSTUME TALKING TO HIS MOTHER.
Strengthened out before he rushed off
to the station to take the train back
home.
On the way he stopped to pick up a
few more toys, and it was with his
arms loaded down that he hurried
through the shady street and into his
own gate. Then he gave a gasp. On
the porch sat girl in summary cos
tune talking to his mother 1t could
not be the nurse. She was far too
well dressed for a nurse. 1t must be
one of the local girls calling. He
thought Of the toy store package that
had come undone and from which q
dolls legs waved pinkly and unre-
strained, and the perspiration beaded
his forehead
He had always tried to appear digni-
fed before the girls. 1t kept them at a
distance. But how on earth could he
look dignified with those Internal toys
dangling beneath his elbow7
The two women rose as he assembled
the steps, and Mrs. Linden presented
the other
Miss Corson," he echoed biankly.
''Dick always spoke of me as his
little sister," she said as she came for
ward. 81 hope you are not disappoint-
ed"
Disappointed that he should be the
companion of such glorious girl? Bob
chuckled, and in the saving grace Of
humor he lost his bashfulness.
You are most welcome" he laughed
as his hand closed over hers. "Since
you are Daisy Corson these are for
you" And he waved those pink abom-
nations under her eyes with an audac-
ity that surprised himself
1t broke the ice all around, and in
the little interval before dinner they
chatted as three old friends. Since she
was to be permanent guest there was
no sense in being afraid of her, SO Bob
exerted himself to make her feel at
home, and his mother, sitting quietly
back and watching the animated pair,
built air castles peopled with little folk
who were truly her grandchildren and
who had. Bob's eyes and Dalsy's hair.
In the days that followed the dream
seemed to grow more real. The little
nursery had been converted into a sit
ting room for the girl, and Bob had
entered into the furnishing Of this with
even more ardor than he had shown
in the planning of the other
He and Daisy were together con-
stantly when he was at home, and in
the long evenings while they sat out
ON the piazza in the cool dusk a bud of
romance grew into sturdy plant.
Bob's success in business had been
due to his directness and commanding
qualities, and these he brought to bear
now. Before week had elapsed the
question he longed to ask seemed GER
tain Of a favorable answer
He decided to ask her Saturday aft
ernoon and had come out early for that
purpose Daisy and his mother were
In the yard looking after the flower
beds. They waved their hands to him,
expecting him to come right out, but
the way out, and the contents brought
him TO a dead halt on the back steps.
1t was from Billy Corson and ran:
Dear Old Chap suppose you are
blessing me for my stupidity, but real
~ I am not to blame / had to leave
town for a few days, and in the inter
val my maternal aunt swooped down
on us and carried poor Daisy off to the
very fate | was trying to save her
from-immurement In the desolate lit
tie town where / suffered so when l
was q youngster. No one had your adj
dress, so they could not notify you.
am sorry that you have been put to
this trouble needlessly, but hope that
you and your mother will forgive me-"
Bob tucked the letter into his pocket
and went toward the pair There was
some mistake, that was evident. Per
haps he would lose Daisy after all His
heart was troubled, but one glance
from those merry eyes treasured him,
and he went manfully to work helping
them with their gardening.
1t was not until after supper and
they had established themselves on the
piazza that he mentioned the note.
81 had letter from Billy today" he
said. "a very funny letter"
What did he say?" she laughed "He
has not written me-"
THAT he was sorry he was not able
to send you to u.s." he said quietly.
81 don't see the joke" she scolded.
you are not nice to speak In riddles"
There Is some mistake" he ex-
planned. BILLY did not send his sister
here, so you must be some other Billy's
sister" He handed her the letter and
she read it through with changing color.
Then her eye caught the business card
In the corner.
But this is from Mr.. COrson, not
~-z~--- a------~>it..,