The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-07-09


happily ever after. Instead he had
never been so dull, and perhaps he had
lost his chance.
The gas had gone out as he closed
the door and limped into the kitchen.
He knew very well that 1t was useless
to search for quarter He had found
the one he had just given up only after
a search. He would have to fall back
on candles. There were half dozen in
the dining room, and by lighting four
he managed to read after fashion.
But he had scarcely settled himself to
his reading when the doorbell rang
again. He wondered who 1t might be
dark hall. The girl across the hall stood
there again.
you fibbed," she said reproachfully
"You said you had another quarter for
yourself. You let me drop yours in our
meter, and we can see across the shaft
that you're using candles"
81 rather like them," he assured, but
she would have none of it.
you were just going to drop the
coin in your meter" she cried. THAT
is why you had it in your hand"
In the face of deduction he was
dumb The girl went on:
II know you can't go downstairs to
get change because you hurt your an
kle. 1t wouldn't be any use anyway.
It's Sunday, and only the drug store is
open, and they are all out of quarters.
1 was down there just before 1 asked
you for one. Mother says you must
come in to our fiat and read. You may
in the least"
81 am very comfortable" he protest
ed.
The opportunity he had longed for
had come, and he was too bashful to
avail himself of it. In the end the girl
in her masterful little way carried her
point Presently he was installed in the
pleasant parlor and was telling mother
ly Mrs. Fallows all about his trials
without his mother.
ut must be so lonesome for you"
she cried. why didn't you come to
us long ago."
1--WE wanted to- he admitted frank
ly. Sometimes I've seen the light,
and I've been so homesick. We only
moved here just before my grandmoth-
er's illness took mother west, and /
never got acquainted with any one.
All of our friends live on the other
side of town."
1--WE come from the country, where
we are used to being neighborly," she
explained. Il want you to feel that
you are welcome here Sny time"
There was a sincerity in her tones
that brought a genial glow to Digby's
heart, and the girl Che knew now her
name was Ethel seconded her mother
with glance.
That night was but the beginning Of
new life for Digby. The following
evening he brought home a box of
candy as return courtesy and was In
vited to spend the evening, so gradual
ly he fell into the habit Of dropping In
after dinner There were trips to the
theater, little excursions on Sunday,
and even when he had word from his
mother that she had decided to remain
west for the summer he did not offer
objection.
The more he was with Ethel the
more deeply in love he became. He
had never known many women, and
this charming girl was the first he had
ever loved. Often he would declare
to himself that he would propose, but
each time his courage failed him.
Then one night came the climax. The
gas began to flicker and burn low, and
Ethel left the room to drop in the coin
that would turn on the flow again. He
heard a match strike in the kitchen,
where the gas had not been lit, then
came an explosion, and he rushed down
the narrow hall
In some fashion the meter had
sprung leak, and the lighted match
had caused the ignition Of the gas.
Ethel, her light gown ablaze, came
staggering blindly toward him. He
| had his coat off before they met and