The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-10-02
\ AN ANGEL
| ELEP HAN T
| By GRETCHEN cRAYDoN
Copyright. 1908. by e. @. parcelis

II wonder IL you dream how ador-
able you are In that blue gown" Heth-
1rton said. trying to possess himself Of
Philomena's hand.
She drew It away, pursed her lips
daintily, and flung back at him, "Ohl
It's the gown, Is it7 Thank you for
telling me. / shall be sure to wear 1t
the next time the MacCarty comes to
sec u.s."
"Confound the MacCartyr' Hether-
ton calculated. I'D like to break his
head for him, the presumptuous oaf.
What business has he even to admire
your
'Mayn't cat look at kIngY' PhIlo-
mena interrupted demurely, her eyes
dancing In the screen OF their long
lashes.
She had the charm OF infinite va
riety. Some days she was positively
ugly. others ravishlngly beautiful
This was one Of the beautiful days.
She knew 1t. and acted upon the
knowledge. She owed Hetherton for
several things. chiefly Miss Mannering.
He should be paid In full He had
never proposed to her outright, but all
along assumed gayly that she would
marry him. speaking openly, In a light
comedy manner that might mean
everything or nothing. She had not
resented the light comedy manner. be-
Ing by no means sure OF her own mind.
Still II had been distinctly aggravat-
ing to have him run off after the Man
nering girl the same as the other men.
For two whole days he had kept In the
new beauty's train; worse still, he had
come back to Philomena not merely re-
pentant, but with the air of one who
feels that he has discharged the duty
OF proper man.
"A cat may look at king; the prov
erb Is silent as to queens" Hetherton
retorted. Moreover, you can scarcely
stretch It to 1T an elephant, which is
the MacCarty's animal prototype
"Now | know how came to promise
him two dances-I adore elephants-al-
ways did," Philomena murmured, re-
fectively. as If aside.
Hetherton caught both her hands and
drew her to her feet. do you mean to
keep the promlseY' he asked, his face
darkening. She smiled up at him au-
dacIously as she answered.
"Who knows? He may prefer to sit
them out. But IL he should, you needn't
mind, we will take care to keep out Of
earshot Of you and Miss Mannering"-
"Ohl | see" Hetherton laughed. not
quite easily, but with magical light
ening of countenance. Il must say
that will be handsome of you" he
went on: then. his hands slipping up
TO her shoulders. Sweetheart let's run
away from everything-the grand ball.
the elephant the Mannering-run away
and get married. Listenl 1t will be
so easy; only a spin across country to
that dear little stone church we saw
last week-we1l take along witnesses
and telegraph for our traps to follow
us. II 'twere done. when 'twere done
then 'twere we'll 'twere done quickly
Think how much we shall escape, all
the fuss and frills and ,upsetments of
big wedding And this Is the only way
to escape them. | know your aunt has
her heart set on St Thomas, with
twelve bridesmaids, and all the rest
OF II. Say yes. there's a darling. ! will
live just to keep you from being sorry
for IL. even one time,n
1T sounds enticing." Philomena said,
can't be done. You see II l ran of
with you. the Mannering would newt
ably get the MacCarty and his millions
That's what she Is here for. and that's
what I'm bound not to let her do"
Have your joke" Hetherton grum-
bled, trying 10 draw her to his breast
She put him away with gentle
dignity. saying; But II Is not joke
That's why / am so provoked with
you. you let yourself be one OF her bait
gudgeons. oh. she's shrewd piece
she knows man like the MacCarthy
means to pick a wife as he has picked
a racing stable. from among those
other men want very much
''iow do you know?" Hetherton de-
mandcd,
philomena opened her eyes very
Wide. "Why. he told me So" she said.
you know we are great friends and
talk OF many things And he is really
vastly entertaining such big bulk of
raw human nature. with streaks OF
wit and other streaks OF understand.
Ing through It's honest ignorance"
Hem, You are somewhat belle
How many times has he proposed to
your" Hctherton asked.
''only once. the first day" Phllomena
said. smiling wickedly II asked time
for consideration. but he wouldn't give
IL. He wanted a straight yes or no.
but consoied me by telling me that IL
after awhile he was not engaged he
would give me another chance. So /
must be sure and make up my mind.
know he is not engaged. not unless
Miss Mannering has landed him since
morning"
Us your mind made up7' Hetherton
asked teasingly.
Philomena shook her head, but said
brightly: Not yet Still. there's no
telling what may happen between
dances"
''Then You refuse-my plan and
every thingr' Hetherton said. paling
visihly.
Philomena shot glance at him aud
shivered family, but said. with an ac-
cent OF gentle surprise. why. did
that some time ago"
"You win fight the Mannering wo-
man for the MacCarty. You would not
even raxe finger for me-" Hetherton
began bitterly.
Philomena laughed soft, malicious
laugh. lone saves a novice from
drownInG, A swimmer who knows the