The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-02-26

her thoughts, but these only served to
show how unpleasant was her situa-
ton. 1t was very blue face that
crossed Tom Ianning's line of vision
Miss Howard" he cried, starting
forward. This is indeed surprise. ]
had supposed that you returned long
ago
Returned" she laughed dismally
| why. we are marooned here. We
cannot get berth for love or money"
IF misery loves company you have
lots Of it," he laughed. Lets go and
have some lunch. That may cheer you
up a little. I'll telephone Mrs. Two
mey."
Madge nodded gratefully She had
always liked Tom Manning, and they
turned their steps toward the Garlic
| ton. She waited while he went off to
| telephone her aunt
He ordered a capital lunch. for he
had rare sense Of gastronomiC pro-
portions. and she really enjoyed the
dainty meal, though she caught herself
wondering how much more glad she
would have been had it been Frank
Roper whom she had encountered He
was a business man, where Tom was
a mere society butterfly Frank could
have found some way of getting her
out of the trouble; Tom was only q
momentary diversion.
| Almost as though in answer to her
| question Roper entered the dining
room and came toward them. His
alert bearing was in marked contrast
to Manning's rather boyish pose, and
yet somehow she did not feel so glad
to see him as she had been to greet
Tom
| He took a seat at their table in re
Spouse to Manning's invitation and lis
tened gravely to her recital Of her
troubles
II regret that l cannot be Of assist
ance," he said when she had conclud-
ed. Il made every endeavor yesterday
| to arrange similar matter for the
relatives of some business friends, and
the case is hopeless. Even the freight
ers are booked far ahead"
"Then you are marooned, too" she
| laughed gleefully.
Il never permit such situation" he
said complacently. MY interests are
too large to admit of a delay. My
room was booked before l came over.
am going day after tomorrow"
Il guess we exiles shall have to char
ter a steamer" laughed Manning. IF
you are done, Miss Howard, shall we
go?'
She left the table with relief. Some
how Roper's attitude of complacent
satisfaction was positively hateful.
She had always liked him before.
| Down in her heart of hearts she had
vacillated between the two men ever
| since her coming out ball Her prefer
ence had been for Roper until now, but
Mt present Toms mercurial tempera-
ment suited her mood better, and she
was glad that she had met him first.
"Since Frank has refused the re-
quest, may | take it up?" he asked as
they parted at the hotel. Il may be
able to sandbag some unwary tour
list and take his stateroom from him"
IF you only could!' she cried i'm
| pulsively. Father is In poor health,
and am so anxious to get to him."
''Can you sail at onceT' he asked.
I'D like to go this minute" she cried.
Consider it DONE" he said with
mock dramatics. II will work the
sandbag persuasion this very day"
| Madge went upstairs oddly comfort
ed by the assurance, though her sense
told her that Manning could not sue
coed where Roper with his influence
had failed.
1t was with misgiving that she open
ed the note he sent her that evening,
but delighted cry escaped her when
ticket fell out She let 1t hutter to
the floor when she read the letter. 1t
ran:
| Dear Miss Howard-I am called out OF
town and am mailing these to you. You
| can fix 1t up when l see you In New
York Hope you will have a pleasant
pasaa&A With r@<ezds 70 !. xouE aunt