The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-06-25

HE HELD HER FACING HIM AND LOOKED
HER FULL IN THE EYES.
Hushv' as she saw Derry about to
whistle. II know She told me so
herself"
"WhenT Derry asked, his voice low
and steady. Linda tried to look re-
Elective, but her bushes betrayed her.
1T was-some time last week." she
stammered at last. I'VE were coming
home together
From the courthouse. l saw you
there listening to the speeches." Derry
interrupted. Then, with a quizzical
smile: with such authority l must of
course agree. All the same, Linda, l
thought you understood-th you-you
were playing with the others so as to
wait for me. l couldn't speak out un-
til l had got from under the load Of
my fathers debts"
Julia can free you. That was why"
Linda began, then stopped short, her
eyes on the fire After a minute she
went on clearly: II had to think you
were tired of an uphill fight Besides,
you were free as air. There had never
been word between US
"No-worse luck" Derry said, rising
and walking twice across the room. 1t
was big and dim, full of faded furni-
ture, the tiny, scantily filled CRATE set
in the big chimney breast speaking
eloquently of the change from a time
of hospitable plenty. Aunt Pam had
the house; Linda, a narrow income.
Therefore they lived without work, as
became gentlewomen born, though Lin
da was more than little FESTIVE.
What If am born Bryson2 1t
won't hurt me to trim hats or make
cotillon favors for play? Goodness
knows l do enough of 1t for-invita-
lions and Thank you, dear And do
believe the very people that impose on
me would think more of me If l
charged them round prices" she had
said more than once. But always Aunt
Pam and Aunt PANS ideas had pre-
vailed. The one way out was marriage
with some good steady fellow Of de-
cent patrimony and the knack Of get
ting on in the world
Phil Gray had both, hence stood high
with Aunt Pam. She liked Allen DerrJ
well enough. His mother had been hel
dearest friend But there were the
debts-the only thing Judge Derry hac
left his son. A spotless reputation, Of
course, did not count against lack Of
financial foresight. The judge had beer
beguiled not only into risking bis OWL
money, but into giving his neighbori
| bad advice 1t was the neighbort
Allen was paying, although they hat
not the least shadow of legal claim
| Phil Gray had said 1t was magnificent
but not business" Aunt Pam agreed
with him heartily. Still, she had beer
always motherly kind to Allen, having
no suspicion Of what was In his hear
and Linda's.
Allen stopped his pacing abruptly
and said, looking over Linda's head
Phil is good chance, also good fel
low. l hope he'll make you happy a!
the day is long. know he'll try. Blu
tell me, have you put on his &ngf"
mot yet" Linda said very low
Derry caught her hands and drew he
to her feet. He held her facing hin
and looked full in her eyes as he sait
brokenly: "Then-give me-one littl'
inch of-love. l know you love me-
even as love you. We wrong nobod!
Il shall no more than kiss you-once
All want is to have you look up a
me from my breast and say, Allen,
love you-with the love that casteth on
all fear"
"Allen, love you with the love tina
casteth out all fear" Linda repeateC
submissively, laying her head agains
his shoulder. His arms infolded her
For a long minute they stood silent
trembling through and through with I
sense Of sacred farewells. Then Al
len bent and kissed her, saying gently
as he put. heg away from hip. .Remem