The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-12-29
By VIRGINIA BLAIR.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Y lAa..~xr T0x.ouo

said. 'Tll lie here In the dark ana
pet Toodlekins."
Still protesting, Mrs Kent found
her way out, and after a time IN the
big room there came the sound Of a
stifled sob, and another and another,
and after that everything was very
quiet. The flame Of the fire died
down The green eyes Of the little
cat, snuggled close to her mistress,
glowed In the blackness.
The click of an electric button and
the fare-up of lights brought Marga-
ret's head out Of the cushion where
she had buried 1t. she shielded her
face with her hand.
"You are early, Uncle Dick"
"Tm late. What's the matter with
the lights? Why didn't You get sone-
body to looktafter them7''
II IKE the dark"
"Queer taste" he gave her keen
glance and sat down In the chair by
the couch. ''HoW's the footY'
at hurts little, but it's going to be
all right"
Everybody at the club is talking
about your accident. They are making
a regular hero Of Ridgeway.." He set.
tied himself back in the big chair and
smiled at her genially. ''He must have
had the strength Of Hercules to hold
those horses back"
Hes awfully strong" Margaret
said and sat up. His college record
In athletics Is fine"
'He funked in some of his studies,
though" Mr.. Kent leased.
Margaret's face famed, Il know"
She smoothed the little cat with nerv-
GUS fingers. isis he very III, Uncle
Dick?"
-Ridgeway7 Um-well that
depends. He's a mighty nice fellow,
Peggy" He caught the eagerness of
her eyes and pulled himself up. THAT
is-oh, well, your Aunt Clara wouldn't
exactly approve of him, and-and--I
don't know that he's just the friend
for you, Margaret"
"Ohg' came In huttering protest, and
after that Margaret lay with her eyes
closed, and nothing was said for sew
eral minutes.
'Tfred, little grip asked her uncle
finally, and when she nodded he stood
up.
II must go and dress for dinner
He hesitated by the couch. looking
down at her until she opened her eyes
and held out her hand and said, Dear
Uncle Dick" and then he patted her
cheek and said little huskily, Cheer
up"
This time there was no friendly
darkness to hide the tears, SO Marga-
ret dabbed at them with her handker-
chief and stared until a ring Of the
front door bell brought her to an up
right position.
"Its Mr.. Ridgeway," the maid an
nounced.
aPm afraid can't see himr' Marga-
ret said nervously.
"Please," doomed a big voice from
the hall-"please don't turn me out like
that"
ooh, WELL" Margaret agreed, and the
maids place between the curtains was
usurped by young man as big as his
voice, who came over and picked up
the pussy cat and dropped a small
square box in its place IF you'll let
me pet Toodlekins I'll let you have
some flowers" he said, and as he sat
down the little cat curled into the hol-
low of his arm and sang her song of
contentment, unrufled by the change.
There were white yiolets in the box.
and Ridgeway said, his big voice sof-
tened by some fine emotion, '@They al.
ways make me think Of you"
ooh, don't, dontr' Margaret said
with quick caught breath. and Ridge
way stared at her in puzzled way.
Don't you like them?' he asked.
"Yes."
"WelI, it's a funny way to show it."
There was SO much of the boy In him
that Margaret smiled in spite of her
self.
sIt's because like them SO well that
don't want you to bring them to me
any more"
"You DON'T
"I mean it." she said family. lyon
mustn't bring me any more flowers"
why notf' sharply.
Because can't take them
"Why can't you take themT
because
SThat isn't any reason" he dung
out. do you mean that you don't
want me to conner
She held out one slim hand to him.
'Don't," she said be %echingly-"don't
speak to me like that We must al
ways be good friends, but you mustn't
come"
He took her hand. ITS to be just
friendsY'
eyes"
Never anything more?"
Never"
"And yet that night after the acct
dent you let me kiss you Margaret"
Yes" very low.
The fire fickered and sapped. The
little cat. disturbed somewhat, slipped
down from Ridgeway's arms and curl
ed herself up on the rug.
would you mind" Margaret said at
last, turning off the upper light? The
strong glare hurts my eyes"
The rosy halo of the lamp made dark
the distant corners Of the room. Mar
garet on her couch was a dim outline.
The little cat was invisible except for
her emerald eyes. Ridgeway came
back and sat down; then he bent for
ward.
Margaret" he said sharply, 'you
are crying"
eyes, she sobbed, I'm crying oh,
because you are such black sheep.
Justin"
He drew his breath sharply. $50
that's it?'' he said at last.
.Yes. / didn't know until tonight.
Aunt Clara told me"
He stood up. "Then there's nothing
more to say. Goodby."
BE went to the door. hesitated and
paa2e back ----.-,s