The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-04-14
Fair Means
Or Foul.
BY JANE LEE.

VI vi lAC oAOPPCAC OA AOeA0 U0J Wv
day early In February.
Some few without the saving grace
of faith had almost persuaded them
selves that a second flood was immi-
nent, whsle others plodded through the
slushy rivers in cutters too wide to be
jumped with no feeling save dumb
misery.
The wind blew with such velocity
that it was impossible to hold an UNI
brella. and broken ones mad been
thrown into the cutters, giving the ap
pearance Of a fleet of black ships as
they whirled and finally stopped at the
corner sewer. Women who were forced
by circumstances to be out held their
skirts with one hand and took firm
grip on their hats with the other
Among the few stragglers the police
man noticed the figure of young girl
who had passed him several times now
peering over the curb as II fascinated
by the ebb and flow of the stream.
Her clothes were of good cut and
material Her curly locks were much
bedraggled, and a tiny green stream
was running down one cheek, thanks
to the com animation of rain and green
ribbon upon her. hat. The man In uni
form and brass buttons stepped to her
side as she hesitated at rather peril
Gus crossing.
"Bad day, MISS" said he as he offer
ed to help her across the street.
bad? l should say it was! And in
more ways than one! You see, l have
Bayville. have not even money
enough to get back to the house." ex-
planned the girl as she looked up help
lessly at the policeman.
He eyed her suspiciously. To his
ears such stories were not uncommon.
That's good story, all right Sure
It's true, are your" he said.
Just then the tall figure Of a man.
with his hat pulled down well over his
eyes, passed them The girl frightened
as she saw him.
"Oh, call that man, please do" she
cried as the tall figure strobe on. Hes
from Bayville too"
The policeman ran over and touched
the man on the shoulder.
Lady over there wants you, sir"
The man glanced back, and then,
with one agile leap across the gutter.
he was at her side.
miss Merrill, can it be you? What
on earth are you doing out in this pour
ing rainf" The questions fell thick
and fast and without pause for answer.
Let us step into this drug store, and
do tell me what 1 can do for you"
They entered the store, and friend
Iy clerk offered them chairs and then
politely retired to the rear of the store.
Helen Merrill tried to adjust stray
lock and turned her blue eyes to meet
her companions interested gaze.
at was awfully good of you to say
you knew me- That policeman was
horrid, and l thought you'd remember
having seen me in uncle's trap"
'How could / fail to see your unused
the man, and the girl blushed as she
resumed her story.
II came In town to do some shopping,
and I've lost my purse. 1t was only
showing this morning, and I could not
foresee this awful wind and rain storm.
l dropped my purse as was crossing
the street, and, though I've looked and
looked the whole length Of that dirty
gutter, cannot find it." she explained
to him. He offered no response. He
was apparently lost in studying the
depths of the blue eyes before him.
"Oh, won't you send me back home,
Mr.. Marshall? l know Uncle John
will consider 1t a nelghborly courtesy"
Clayton Marshall smiled and glanced
at bis watch.
IT am awfully sorry to hear about
your plight, Miss Merrill, and Of course
I will take you home. at once. We
have just time to catch the 2:30 train
that is, unless you would rather have
bite to eat first"
"Eatr' she cried. II feel like a
drowned rat and must look like one.
No restaurant would admit me. Hun
CRY as / am, l fear that home is the
place for me-" Helen replied. "But,"
she continued, 'if you Will put me on
the train it will be quite sufficient.
Surely your Office Is not closed so
early"
Marshall protested and finally won
the day. He called a hanson, and to-
gether they took the train for Bayville.
They telephoned in advance, and the
family carriage was at the depot to
meet Helen.
"Uncle John can thank you better
than l." she said as they parted.
"Think so?" asked Marshall. And
then they both laughed.
The leading papers the next morn
ing contained large and conspicuous
advertisement: Lost, a gold mesh
purse, containing bills. gold pencil and
family Communication ticket between
Bayville and New York. Liberal re-
ward If returned to Miss Helen Mer-
rill. Bayyille, N. Y"
Helen Merrill was visiting In one Of
those richly appointed suburban homes
now frequently seen on the outskirts
of large city.
Her Uncle John, a retired stock
broker and bachelor, hated town life
and lived in Bayville the year round.
He loved to have his pretty niece visit
him, while she was eager to leave her
simple southern home and be his guest
for weeks at time, though her uncle
was a vigorous chaperon.
The doorbell rang several times dur
ing the day, but the finder of the purse
did not appear until late that evening,
though Helen listened eagerly for the
coveted summons
About 8 o'clock maid announced to
Miss Merrill that young man had
called, saying he had found a purse
and would like to have her identify 1t.
Eelen ran down the stairs, delighted at
the thought of finding her lost treasure
In front of the open fire stood Clayton
Marshall, warming his hands.
"Mr. Marshall" exclaimed Helen
with the pretty blush that was one OF
her girlish charms. ''the maid said
there was a man here who had found
my purse. but guess he must be out
side"
"Not at all, Miss Merrill | am the
man who has the purse" and he drew
forth from the depths Of his pocket the
missing trinket Helen's cry of delight
did not seem to be contagious. for Mar
shall assumed rather depressed air.
'Mr. Marshall, you are surely fairy
princeI Yesterday you seemed Ike
second Noah escorting me in your mod
ern ark up to my home, said Helen
gayly. To-day you come like Santa
Claus, giving me back my purse. How
can | ever thank you enoughT she
added.