The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-05-21
COME UP, THEN, " SHE INVITED PROMPTLY.
bring her into a very small corner in

COME UP, THEN, SHE INVITED PROMPTLY.
bring her into a very small corner in
deed.
You are too solicitous, Mr.. Dwyer,"
she said sweetly. 81 think 1 will sit
on the porch a few moments alone"
81, too, like to sit on porches,"
limited.
"Come up then" she invited prompt
ly. But you mustn't disturb my
| The sentence trailed off.
l was charmed with her daring.
wanted to tell her one might shout
without fear of disturbing old Martha
who was doing for me until mother
and the servants returned.
l sat down on the top step. Listen
ing to her clever chatter, | advanced
theory after theory to myself to ex-
plain her motives. Even when a pos
sible plot against the silver spoons
suggested itself couldn't judge her
harshly. A lady burglar! Well. we've
had some mighty pleasing ones lately
in books and on the stage. | was
on the point of offering myself as a
confederate against my own silver
when she once more said:
you really must go now, Mr.. Dwy-
err"
MAY l come again." l queried.
"I'H see you at Bellies" she eluded.
"Belle sails for Europe Wednesday,"
l reminded
Mary looked dismayed
$50 1 may come up here instead for
our usual chat on the arts?"
mo, no, nor she cried.
"Do l infer that you wish to drop
the acquaintance-when Belle sails?"
persisted.
mo oh, nor
"Then l shall hope to find you here
tomorrow-much more romantic than
sending in ones card and all that
Sort of thine" I explained lamely.
81 love unconventional things"
agreed Mary, suddenly enthusiastic.
l walked briskly down the street,
stopped at the first shadow and looked
back. Mary came down the steps and
walked away in the opposite direction.
| followed at a safe distance, and then
my calculations were upset by seeing
her turn in at the residence of the
| great Lombard brothers. She disap-
peared very neatly through basement
window All the way home l whistled
''Mary Was Housemaid." Next
morning I learned the Lombard house
had been robbed
That evening when joined Mary on
/ I,N oh 70 fhn
point of arrogance. perfectly at her
ease and played the role of hostess
with great aplomb. From my santage
point, how pathetic seemed all the lit
tie airs and graces she assumed! Per-
haps the poor child didn't even have a
homel In spite of almost positive
proof could not believe her a thief.
Surely there was some mistake.
My speculations were brought to an
abrupt ending. A carriage had whirled
up. My mother alighted and came
rapidly up the walk. Mary arose. a
little gasp of CONSERVATION escaping
her Her little plot had indeed caught
her in a tangled web Fearing she
might run away and should never see
her again, put my hand firmly on her
arm and whispered to leave it all to
me; that l knew everything.
1 greeted my mother, and then
placed Mary's hand within hers.
my dear boyr cried my mother, and
in an instant she took Mary in her
arms. What happened in the next flf-
teen minutes l have no idea. Mother
was the only one who seemed at her
ease and delighted. 1t had long been
her wish that l marry, and she had, of
course, fallen in love with Mary at first
sight, accepting my choice without
question. Finally 1 got Mary safely
into a cab. Then she turned to me,
with dancing eyes.
ITO think l stole your piazzaw she
giggled. 81 never dreamed Mrs.
Brooks was your mother. OF course
knew she was away"
1 was silent. A repentant, fearful at
titude would have been more in keep
ing with the circumstances than such
fiippancy
IL hope you are not angry" came
a muffied little voice "And IL appre-
ciate what you did to save me from a
humlliating position. Please give me