The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-11-03
Why They
Were Generous
BY N. MONROE JAMES.
Copyright, 1908. by American Press
Association.

were DeSlOW1uB ITdBTduI LOk6nS OI re
membrance over the ashes of theiI
dead
was standing beside grave which
was literally. covered with choice
flowers when my friend G. Joined me.
Those people are generous"
said, pointing to the flower strewr
grave and indicating a gentleman and
lady who had just left 1t.
"They have reason to be-" he an
swered.
That evening he told me the story:
For a time it was difficult to guess
which Of the rivals for the hand of
Cora Dixon would carry off the prize
for she seemed equally gracious to
Fred Nevius and Godfrey Burns.
There was one intensely interested
left for her decision, would have set
tied IT. easily. To Cora's mother mon
ey was the key to oil things desirable,
and as Burns had an abundance of
the commodity, while Nevius was but
indifferently provided, she wondered
at her daughters indecision.
But Cora was unlike her mother,
and when the supreme test came to
her she did not let the superior finan-
cial advantages Of one lover outweigh
the fact that her heart had gone into
the keeping of the other.
Scarcely had the story of Fred's good
fortune become known when the town
was startled by strange news. The
lover had forged his employers name
and had fed.
While the matter was being discuss
ed elsewhere Cora was reading with
tear wet eyes and agony of soul let
ter from her accused lover:
Dear Cora-When you get this shall be
far away, where do not know. Fate is
against me: but, as there Is a God In
heaven, did not do the thing they charge
against me. shall love you always. but
Of course you are free from any promise
to me- Unless l can clear my name ]
shall never return. I trust you will be-
lieve me, though I suspect the world will
not God bless you. Goodby! Your I'M
happy FRED.
The story was this: A check presum-
ably drawn by Samuel Blake, his un-
Gle and employer, was presented by
the young man at the bank and cash
ed. Mr.. Blake declared the check a
forgery. Fred said 1t was received
In letter which stated 1t was a gift.
Unfortunately the letter could not be
produced. With an indignant denial
he paid back the money and demand
ed to know If his uncle intended to
prosecute. Receiving negative reply,
he left the store and, packing his be-
longings, left town without notifying
any one of his destination.
AS Cora faced the situation she saw
that, as he had said, his explanation
would not be accepted. She was
worldly wise enough to know that,
notwithstanding the maxim of the
law to the contrary, public opinion is
apt to adjudge an accused man guilty
unless he can show his innocence. Her
cheeks tingled as she thought of the
covert sneers about that gift. oh, If
he had only kept that letter!
But what did it all matter2 She
knew he was innocent. Whatever the
world might say, that was her verdict
This verdict she announced with
quiet emphasis whenever the matter
came to her attention, but she sadly
saw that few stood with her; hence it
did her world of good to receive a
note from Geoffrey Burns announcing
his faith in her friend.
AS time wore on Cora, bearing the
double burden Of her own desolation
and her lovers shame, saw. with an
added pang, how quickly the world
forgets Fred Nevius had been the idol
of the social circle In which they had
moved. Now he was as one who had
never been.
So went year. Then came an event
which broke somewhat the dreary ten
or Of her life. David Nelson, a fellow
employee, on his dying bed made a
statement which wiped the blot from
Fred's name. He said he sent the let
ter and check as an April fool jest,
expecting to tell Fred of it before he
could present 1t at the bank. When he
saw 1t was likely to get him into trou-
BILE he became alarmed and held his
peace.
Shortly after this disclosure Burns
called ON Cora and congratulated her
on the clearing Of her lovers name.
II cannot thank you enough for your
loyalty to Fred" she said gratefully.
HE was my friend, too" he an
swered.
Then he told her Of having sent Mel
sons confession to the papers Of the
large cities with the hope that the In
nocent man might see it.
Somehow after this 1t seemed the
most natural thing for Burns to call
now and then. So went another year.
Meanwhile a report came to East
port that Nevius was dead. When
Burns next called Cora questioned
him about 1t.
Eyes, have heard It," he answered
evasively.
do you know what foundation it
hasr
There does not seem to be much
that can be called foundation"
Then you don't think 1t is true?"
He hesitated, dreading to give her
the direct answer. which must come
now.
You don't think 1t is true?" she
asked again.
ct fear It is" he said at last Then
he told her Of a railroad wreck in a
western state In which young man
answering Fred's description had been
killed. On his linen they found the
word Nevius. He told her also that
he and Mr.. Blake had put personals
in the city papers all over the country,
making inquiry for the missing man,
but months had gone by and they had
heard nothing.
my heart says no." she replied only
when he had finished.
Love cannot remain hidden. When
Cora chose Fred Nevius, Burns had
put his love away. But now, believ-
ing his rival dead, It had come back In
greater volume. And so, though she
ever put him aside, he sued persistent
" for her hand.
One day she told him If he would
put like inquiries for Nevi&s In the pa
pers again and in six months no It'd
ings came she would give him an an
swer.
When the time was past and he fal-
teringly reminded her Of 1t she said
'Mr Burns, you have been a true
friend to me when such were very
few. l respect you, honor you, but
the love which you deserve is not mine
to give. Living or dead, Fred Nevius
still has my heart"
~ will be content If you will but say
yes" he urged.
And thus the compact was made.
Now that it was settled Burns beg
ged for an early marriage, and, being
abetted by Mrs. Dixon, Cora consent
ed. Listlessly she did 1t as If 1t mat