The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-01-22

five. Her manner her aspect was that
of one who had long since ceased
wishing to attract. In point of fact,
the wish had never been pronounced.
Since her husbands death, which had
occurred ten years previously, she had
never worn color. 1t is to be sup
posed that Mr. Burgess had loved her.
His had been her first and only offer
of marriage, but In her glrlhood her
heart had been given to another.
Most people who knew Mrs. John
Burgess thought of her as the mother
Of her children. She had son in the
west who was making great ventures
In cattle and horses, and she had a
married daughter in Paris who was
writing her constantly Of her social tri-
umphs and prosperity. Yes, her chill
dren were full of their own plans and
projects, and once or twice lately Mrs.
Burgess had been bit surprised to
find herself feeling a little lonely and
forgotten-a chill presage of the au-
tumn winds of life. Her summer, In
deed, had flown.
Then, just at the correct psychologist
al moment, he came-the man to whom,
as a girl, she had given her heart.
All, where were the chill autumn
winds now? 1t was st. Martins sum-
mer instead!
James Walsh was middle aged,
portly rich man and widOwer. He
had married somewhat early in his ca
reer a noted beauty. A fortnight Of
wedlock had convinced him that he and
his bride had not single taste in com
mon; but, being businesslike man, on
his return from his tour de noce he'd
sized the matter up in this practical
fashion
"'Twas the pink chiffon dress at the
Van buyers ball which was response
BILE Only, why wasn't IT, But the
"why wasn't it, in this case hadn't
worn pink chiffon dress, nor had she
been at the Van buyers ball
Mr.. Walsh had been a widower now
for three years, and he still sighed with
half abashed sense of relief.
mo more matrimonial ventures for
me-" he'd say to himself, with laugh,
although he had reason to believe that
he could lay successful siege to several
feminine hearts-that he was still quite
capable Of victory.
He had been spending August alone
up in the mountains, and he had en-
Joyed month of fishing, tramping and
dreaming to his hearts content On
hio no. ctr 70,
two at certain little hotel reported to
have good cuisine and rest strained
wrist before going back to business.
CHANGING casually over the hotel reg
lister, he saw the name of Mrs. John
Burgess. There arose in the mans
ed himself together
How absurdr he upbraided himself
as he walked away from the desk. "As
II there were not hundreds OF John
Burgesses. Why, | might even have
coaxed myself into believing that | re-
membered her handwriting"
An hour or so later, however, he met
her on the lawn. Their eyes unexpect-
edly encountered one another.
Can it be?' cried he, with boyish
incredulity. She extended her hand.
Il think it can," she answered, with
that little half smile on the corner OF
her pure lip which he remembered sc
well.
Mrs. Burgess had escaped the hall
kittenish challenge of the middle aged
wghan who will not abjure conquest
She did not move to the shade of the
tree nor even open her parasol She
stayed precisely where she was, with
streak of harshly revealing sunlight
playing havoc with such loveliAess al
time had left to her After awhile the
warmth of the sun or some othel
warmth she knew not of brought into
her pale cheeks that glow which James
Walsh's first roses had brought, oh, sC
many years ago.
That night time and again Mr.. Walsh
drove away the memory of the won
ans ieeting half smile, yet 1t returned
to haunt him with all its old sweet
allurement. Finally he fell asleep anC