The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-09-17

y
Merton Hester came slowly down
the lighthouse stairs. He liked the
wind and twist Of them. A hazy |
wish hoated through his mind that
they might never end. He would like
to go on forever, hearing the tap of
her little feet on the iron behind him,
feeling her hand touch his shoulder ev-
cry now and then when she grew a |
bit dizzy with the curve.
The fact was Mr.. Kesler's sense of
proportion had been rather unsettled |
since the night before. Then Marion, |
In that strange, Illogical way girls |
have and In spite of her aunt's skill
full, contrary maneuvers, had made the |
obtuse Mr. Harvey understand that |
she was not overwhelmed with delight |
at his invitation to try his new electric |
launch and within the same five min
utes had promised Kesler to visit the
light with him. "even If we have to go
In dory"
1t had been somewhat hard for Mr. |
Kesler when he came down to the |
cape on his short vacation to find his |
old playmate absorbed by the wealthy |
Mr.. Harvey. 1t was true that Marion |
did not appear very happy, but her
aunt certainly seemed at peace with |
all the world and made an extremely |
willing chaperon on the many trips |
which that gentleman was constantly |
planning. This had been Kesler's first |
chance.
After thanks and farewells to the |
old captain, Kesler guided his compan-
lon down the steep path to the little, |
pebbly beach, where their boat await |
ed them. 1t was not dory, but a
gay little pleasure craft, bright with |
many cushions. Kesler helped Marion |
in, feeling keen regret that he could |
not put her into the handsomest launch |
on the coast.
There was no hint of regret in Marion's
face as she picked up the rudder ropes
and the boat swung off. The sun was
warm, but the breeze, filled with the !
tang Of the sea, blew the girls bright |
hair about her face and brought a |
sparkle to her brown eyes
"And over the sea lies SPAIN" sang
the girl happily.
You'd like to visit the old world, |
wouldn't you, Marion? You must go |
some day." said Kesler, wondering
how he would feel If he should know
that Harvey and Marion were journey |
ing about Europe together.
Some day." repeated the girl softly, |
her dark eyes dreaming, then smiling |
into his. She was quite willing to
push everything but the present mo-
ment into the Indefinite future.
The man hesitated a moment, then |
said, with note of entreaty In his |
voice: May l row you over to Tur-
bets creek before we go back7 It's |
such quaint, Dutchy little place, with |
its old wharfs and flshermen's houses, |
that want to see 1t again. You know
my vacation ends tomorrow"
Marion's face suddenly flushed till it |
was the deep pink of the wild roses |
that grew along the shore
"pd love to go with you," she an
swered, ''only-well, you see, after all |
aunt told Mr.. Harvey he might take
us out In his launch at 8. and she'll be
much displeased if am not at home"
"Oh, see," said Merton Kesler |
rather blankly. I'D better hurry, |
then"
His mouth suddenly became a
straight line. He began to pull with |
long even strokes. Harvey can give
her everything In the world" he
thought, with remorse and some bit |
| terness, "and he is very decent fell |
low besides-aside from being snob
If ever a girl was born for riches she
was. What right have l to ask her to /
share my mean little salaryf IT'S a |
good thing my vacation is nearly over; |
/ might say something foolish and |
make her unhappy But, oh, may she
not smile at me again before we reach |
the farther side of the little bay"
1.-THE tide is running out fast" said |
Marion, looking down through the clear |
water to the yellow sands.
well strike the channel soon," re-
turned Kesler, pulling himself to- |
gether with an effort. II can never |
| tell exactly where 1t is when the wind |
roughs the whole bay. Great day for |
| sailing. Wish we had a yacht Ma
RON"
"Oh, l like this little boat fully as
WELL" declared the girl contendedly. |
then suddenly cried. ITS growing shall |
low, sailor boy; look outp'
Kesler's oars stopped in the air |
That was the name she had called him |
when, as children, they had built |
many dream ships together.
| The oars made savage swoop into |
! the water, the boat shot half its length |
ahead, then stopped with a jerk, it's |
nose buried In the sand.
"Great Scott, we've struck on the |
fatsI Jerk up the rudder. Marion,
while / push her off, Then, after an
unavailing effort: "It's a mercy this
oar is stout No, don't push, child;
| sit STILL
"But the tide is just racing out"
| objected Marion, while all of the
mans efforts simply caused the OBJ
stinate little craft to grind deeper into
! the sand
Wrath and modification struggled
on Kesler's face Its bad enough to
have to take the princess out in q
| ucdu HUE TOW DOdl7 ne uIOhc Outt
''but to shore her on a sand bank and
not be able to pull her off Is absolute
disgrace"
From far up the bay came the sound
Of distant putting, and Kesler, glancing
up, had the pleasure of seeing new,
shining launch coming rapidly down
the channel toward the stranded boat.
Still Juggling and pulling Intellectually.
ne turned angrily to the astonished
girl.
Your aunt will be pleased to find
you here, Marion Good heavens, why
did you ever come off with me7 You
ought to be in that launch this minute.
You don't belong here"-his wrath
poured out on her-"you love luxury; |
you know you love it like a cat Har-
veys not good enough for you; no |
body is I'm not. He wants YOU OF !
course l want you many times more,
but you're crazy to come of with |
me- He'll be angry and twill serve |
you right Pm going to signal when |
he gets nearer and get you over to
the channel if l have to carry you.
hope this Will teach you lessonT'
Back of the anger In the mans face |