The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-05-01
SHE PLUNGED OUT OVER THE WHEEL

SHE PLUNGED OUT OVER THE WHEEL.
a chance to show what was. In him. He
went away, as you had forbidden me
to see him, and have known nothing
of him SINCE" Mary said wistfully.
Mrs. Briggs felt sudden contempt
for the young man who had obeyed her
mandates so completely without q
struggle. However, it only proved him
a poor thing. unworthy such a prize as
Mary. and the dear girl was young.
She would get over it and be happy In
the love of some man who was a man.
Such a one was. at hand, and Mrs.
Briggs considered him SO desirable as
a son-in-law that she already regarded
him as such prospectiyely.
WELL" she said finally, Il am glad,
Molly. that you hold no grudge against
me. told you about the judges neph-
ew, fine, smart young fellow. Mrs.
Brown has couple Of girl cousins Wis
iting her, and the Hendersons have
several nice young men among the
boarders. Our little town will be gay
this summer, and. I've fixed up a bit,
80 you can do your share of entertain
ing"
Mary shrank, exclaiming. "Oh, moth
er, want to stay quietly at home with
your
And have people saying you're mop.
ing over disappointment Mrs.
Briggs spluttered.
81 don't care what they say. It's no
use. mother. | see what you mean for
me. but l can't forget" Then, with a
wan smile, II am not behaving very
well, mother, but don't mind 1t, and
let's just go on as usual"
And don't fling me at the judges
nephew" she added mentally
81 have asked the nephew and Flora
for this evening"" Mrs. Briggs said
presently, 'but I can send John to tell
them you are too tired"
John, the new handr' Mary com
mented absently.
Yes, and he's a wonderful manager.
There he is." Mrs. Briggs pointed with
her whip as they rounded the home
corner.
Mary glanced indifferently at the 1g-
ure beyond the grove, then with low
cry leaned forward. gazing intently
"JohnT' she repeated, turning a be-
wildered face to her astonished moth
er.
why, Molly! What is itY' Mr..
Briggs cried. somewhat alarmed.
The young man took OF his hat and
tossed back his hair with a peculiar
gesture, and with shrek Mary jerksd
up Dobtin, plunged out over the wheel,
darted tn the barbed wire fence, drop
ped fiat. rolled smoothly under 1t and
flew. still shrieking, across the meadow.
Paralyzed with dreadful fear, Mrs.
Briggs gazed helplessly. There could
be bat one hideous explanation of the
astounding scene-Mary was suddenly
seized with mental derangement-she
had taken that miserable affair to
heart; she had brooded over her trou-
BILE; her whole expression showed that,
and now, having It all brought up
igain-oh, horrible 1t was her own
mother who had
"Oh, lordy, lordyp Mrs. Briggs
moaned. backing clumsily out or the
buggy and huttering along the fence
like hen at the garden pickets, but
she could not roll her plump figure un-
derneath. She would have to 90 around,
and that poor child running hsadlong.
perfectly wild. She was now disap-
pearing in the grove. In her frenzy
she would rush on down the hill be-
yond, and the creek was high.
"Johnl Johnw Mrs. Briggs screamed
frantically. Catch her, John"
John apparently understood and dis
appeared in the trees, while Mrs,
Briggs, shaking with sobs. scrambled
into the buggy and dashed Dobbin into
run with suddenness that flung his
heels to the top Of the dashboard :. She
slid to her knees in the box and piled
the whip. wsiling aloud at every jump
Of the horse. At the pasture Lana she
turned so sharply that the buggy tilted
against the post, nearly tipping hsr
out, but she only urged the astonished
Dobbin on. her Imagination picturing
her darling already at the bottom Of
the sWirling stream. She dashed