The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-02-19
TO u1rnK. sne -mureu.

For two years past Burton Sturgis
had stood to her for an ideal, hero to
whom she had melted out a generous
share Of girlish hero worship. His !
books occupied favorite corner of her |
bookshelf, and a picture of him, cut |
from a current magazine, was tucked |
away in drawer of her desk. She |
had known that 1t was possible that |
she should some day meet him. Still |
she had not thought that 1t would be |
an soon as this. Indeed, she might |
have known him before had she made
the effort to do so, but Grace Stewards |
description of her as a mouse suited
her exactly.
I'm afraid 1t doesn't take gray
gown to make me one either" she |
mourned as she stood cutting the vines,
the sunlight glinting on her soft hair. |
I'm not a bit good at gushing. like |
the other girls.
"A mere mouse" she repeated to her |
self that afternoon as she sat in a |
fern empowered corner of the tiny re-
ception room behind a huge cut glass
bowl filed with pineapple lemonade
anu It's dAlCutdAt SnciDCl cups anu
plates of delicate waters. Beyond, In
the drawing room, was swirl Of pink
and white and blue, mass of fluffy
gowns and pretty wearers, and in the
center Of them the portly figure and
triumphant face of Mrs. Darlington
Sells. Beside her, immaculate in white
fannels, stood Burton Sturgis, tall,
thin man with commanding profile
and dark hair lightly touched with
gray.
Hes just as ! imagined he would
be-" murmured Marion, even to the
little bored look that settles around his
eyes and the quick way he has of
throwing back his head"
Every now and then a group Of girls
would drift up to her table with little
EXPLANATIONS and thrills of laughter.
"Oh, thank you, Miss PageI How cool
and delicious! Oh, girls, isn't Burton
Sturgis fascinating and aren't his
books too lovely for anything? Let's
go back and talk TO him again." And
| the group would break away from
Marion and return to the ring that
surrounded the great man. From time
to time Marion caught snatches of
their feminine chatter. "Your charm
| ing books. Mr.. Sturgis! Adorablel
| Quaint! DeIiciousr'
Presently Mrs Sells broke away from
her circle and waddled up to Marion
with Burton Sturgis in tow.
MY DEAR" she wheezed, "let me pre-
sent Mr.. Sturgis. Mr.. Sturgis, Miss
Page See that he has enough, Mar
ion," and, playfully waving her pudgy
hand at them. she went back to her
other guests.
1T is a thirsty day." said Burton
| Sturgis, taking the sherbet cup that
Marion held out to him. do you
/ think you could manage to put in an
other cherry, Miss Page? I'm awfully
fond of cherries"
But they're so elusive" laughed
Marion. They always seem to slip
caught one, and then 1t gets away"
TITS like the small boy and the
minnow," agreed Burton Sturgis, his
bored look giving place to a smile.
There! You've missed 1t again. as
refractory cherry with little splash
sank to the bottom of the bowl
II doubt II you could do as wellr'
cried Marion
What do you betf" he said boyishly.
1.-TWO waters and half macaroon."
| "Donew He seized the ladle and was
in the midst of an excited dipping
when Mrs Sells came toward him like
ship under full sail.
They're calling for you, Mr.. Stur-
gis," she said, land this room is too
small to hold them all. We shall be
mobbed II we don't hurry"
He put down the ladle with a regret
full look. Il suppose I'll have to, then"
he said and followed her with tagging
steps.
Marion leaned her chin on her hand
and looked after him. Her moment of
moments was over. She had met her
idol face to face, and not one word had
she spoken Of all that his personality
and work had meant to her In the past
two years. A flush passed across her
face. 81 might at least have told him
that had read his books" she said to
herself, but it's too late now. I've
had my chance and lost it. What a
little stupid he must think me II he
thinks of me at allp'
Then the line of chattering guests be-
gan to thin. One by one they were de-
parting. Mrs. Barrington-Sells round
face was lit with contentment 1t had
been a most successful afternoon.
"Even she had something to say 10
him." thought Marion disconsolateiy
There was quick step at her side
She looked up. 1t was Burton Sturgis
"Well, that's overr' he cried, with q
shrug of delight. "And, heavens, but
I'm glad to be back in this corner
with you! Do you know, Miss Page,
you're the only girl this afternoon who
hasn't said Quaint, lovely, charming
and deliciousF I'd like another cher
~, please. And will you do me
favor?"
Delighted" cried Marion gayly.
I've decided to stay over another
day, and there's a place near here I'd
like to show you IL you'd care to see It,
VIII you come driving with me to-
morrow
For an instant his eyes held hers.
Understanding, humor, camaraderie and
a something deeper than all these pass
ed between them
- Il.