The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-06-16

Halvord's boarding place was just
around the corner, and soon he had an
ample lunch put up to supplement Bus
ter's well filed box Together they
turned their steps from the village
across the fields to where the river"
scarcely more than a brook, tumbled
over the rocks in its haste to join the
larger stream beyond.
They found little nook In the rocky
wall where the gray rocks widened
slightly to form a grassy lawn fringed
with trees just unfolding their leaves.
There was still sufficient hint of chill
in the air to lend sparkle to the sunny
warmth, and to Halvord, long buried at
his desk and the intricate analysis
which formed his work, it seemed as
though he had become boy again as
he dug angleworms with a bit or
broken branch and placed them in a
box.
Never on his fishing trips during va
cation time had he enjoyed half the
sport with costly rods and reels that
he found In the grimy length of line
which Buster extracted from his pock-
ct. 1t required some surgical tailoring
to remove the barb of the hook, which
had fastened itself in the lining, and
Halvord watched the proceeding with
eyes suddenly grown young.
1t was too early in the season for the
fish to be finical as to fare. so the
worms were more eagerly accepted
than the fanciest flies would be later
In the season. By noon the two had
caught goodly string, and Halvord,
finding a suitable place of slate in the
stream, decided to add some OF the
fish to their picnic fare. So he built a
rude stove with the fat slab of slate
for the broiler.
Buster, delighted with this novelty,
assisted with will, and they were so
engrossed with their task that neither
noticed the approach Of slender
girlish figure until laughing voice de-
manded an explanation of Busters
presence so far from the schoolhouse.
"We're playing hockey" explained
Halvord shamelessly. won't you
play hockey, too, Miss Bennington
If you will you may have some sf the
fish"
AS he spoke he pointed to the con-
tents Of the combined lunch boxes
spread upon a stone and proffered a
well broiled fish upon bit Of clean
birch bark. Margaret Bennington
looked, hesitated and was lost.
81 suppose that l should make Dicky
go right to school," she said severely,
''but haven't the heart"
81 should be at work." Halvord adj
mitted, "but, like Buster. l have the
fishing fever, and am a worse truant
than he. The morning has been well
worth 1t, though. and there is still the
long afternoon"
AS he spoke he deftly lifted other
fish from the fat top of the improvised
stove and announced that lunch was
served. The salt packed for the hard
boiled eggs also served to season the
fish, and to two of the trio at least the
exertions of the morning gave added
zest to appetite.
Margaret too, seemed to fall under
the spell of the day, and after lunch
Halvord resigned his line to her, well
content to merely superintend her tish-
ing.
Ever since he had come to Chester
he had worshiped Margaret Benning
ton from afar, but he had absorbing
| work In hand and had not been able &c
contest with the younger members OF
her court Margaret, on her part, IND
ing Halvord at first decidedly enter
tanning, had in pique decided that ne
was an old man and oblivious to bel
many charms. And here she found him
as much a boy as her ten-year-old
| brother. His unexpected enthusiasm
and obvious capacity for enjoyment
captivated her. 1t was all so different
from the affectation of world weari
ness which was the approved posi-
among the wealthy youth of Chester
The sun was dropping toward thu
west before Buster reluctantly wount
ND his lines and thrust them, all drip
ping, into his long suffering pockets
Even then the trio fingered to gathel
flowers. and 1t was twilight befor'
they reached the road at last and came
to parting of the ways.
TT has been a most pleasant after
noon" said Margaret as she EXTENDED
her slim, cold hand to Halvord. Il an
very grateful to you"
at is l who should be grateful" salt
Halvord softly, forgetting to relinquisl
her hand. "May hope that some tim
AGAIN.
ut sets bad example to Dicky.' sh
said laughingly, but some Saturda
when he does not have to play truan