The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-01-08

GIRL
pray that you might get her. Unless
there is such one hope you'll die a
bachelor"
Peggy, what are you saying?" Mrs.
Lester demanded, stopping stock still
in the sitting room door, with her tray
Of cider and crullers. You mustn't
mind her, Johnny" she went on. you
know she's little spitfire that doesn't
mean what she says"
'She does mean it-this time" Magee
answered sulkily But, Mrs. Lester,
hope you won't let that keep you from
being my friend"
Surely not" Mrs. Lester said, set
ting down the tray. Johnny must be
wrought up when he refused her crul-
lers, to say nothing Of the cider. She
looked severely at her daughter. Peg
gy tossed her head. I'm a friend of
Johnny" she said, with a shadow of a
smile. ''He can't deny it. I've been
advising him for his own good"
"Goodby. When | take your advice
III let you know said Johnny huffily,
his hand on the door Mrs. Lester sank
down, trembling all over
you've done it now, Peggy" she
said. "Old Miss EN- Magee will never,
never lend us the money to pay that
security debt of your fathers. Our
home will have to CO."
"No, it won't" Peggy said stoutly.
running to her mother as she spoke.
1--WE won't ask Miss En- Instead, I'll
at will be no use. He said he'd new
er help us again when he made up the
shortage in the treasurers Office" Mrs.
Lester said dejectedly But your poor
pa will keep going security and having
1t to pay every time"
"Now, now. mother! Don't fret or
go over it ALL" Peggy entreated. I'm
bound to go to Uncle John. don't be-
lieve he'll turn me away"
Somebody else thought 1t would be
hard work to turn Peggy away upon a
leaden morning two weeks later as she
sat In wait outside her rich uncle's
private office He was not a real I'M
cle-only a sort of stepbrother, who
had kept terms with his sister, al
though he had no patience with her
easy going husband. 1t was five years
since he had been to the Lester farm.
Thus Peggy, grown up into blooming
young womanhood, was wholly strange
~ him She had not sent in her name
| All her bravery had deserted her as
soon as she stepped inside the glass
| DOORS Her cheeks burned under the
| glance of the men at work there ano
still more at the looks she got from
the other men, older ones, hurrying il
and out. She meant to wait unit
! Uncle Joe appeared, then lay hold OF
him and prefer her humble petition
Now she wished desperately that sh'
! had not come. 1t is question. indeed
whether she would not have welcomed
Johnny Magee and his lovemaking a
deliverance could he have happened
upon her then and there.
The minutes went leadenly, each on
seeming an hour. Presently sh
heard twelve strokes of the clock AM
saw men begin to struggle out, puttin
on greatcoats as they went. A grin
ming office boy said to her,
IF you amt got date with tn
boss" nodding toward the inner Of
fee. 'better make one and come agair
Seep' Then she heard a clerk say t
an inquirer over the telephone, M
4 Hedding is out; won't be back till
! o'clock"
Are you sure?" Peggy ventureC
touching the mans arm lightly. II
smiled and nodded half insolentl.
Peggy turned from him, biting her III
4 AS she went blindly toward the door
young man, somewhat hook nosed an
4 very red Tipped. came from the innt
Office started at sight Of her, then hu
+ ried up to her, asking suavely how
s might serve her Inside Of a minut
4 he knew everything and stood lookir
down and pulling his mustact
thoughtfully, but almost instant
frightened, saying she must follow NJ
q Hedding; nothing easier. The bt
Il should fetch cab. and he himse