The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-10-06


this remote distance with that empty
feeling in her heart and brain. She
didn't even hate him. Some girls might
have done so after being Tilted, but
somehow she didn't care. She leaned
forward breathlessly as he suddenly
raised the light stick which he carried
and made another step toward the
bring of the precipice.
"Don'ty' she cried involuntarily
and she stepped around the pine and
held out a protesting hand.
Brierson turned sharply, and his
blank gaze met her own-unrecogniZ-
ing, Indifferent.
81 thought l was alone" he said
courteously, removing his hat.
I'll thought you did not see that
you were so near the edge Of the preci-
pice," she said in low tone and with
burning cheeks.
He felt about with his stick in a
clumsy, unseeing manner and dislodg-
ed stone. which went hurting down
the steep incline with an alarming
crackle Of twigs and earth. he stood
in listening attitude until the echoes
had died away, and then he extended
one hand with helpless gesture.
81 am sorry to trouble you, madam,
butt am blind. Will you kindly turn
me about into the safe path?"
Something warm came into the girls
heart as he spoke, and her lips culver
ed painfully. She laid q small hand
on his coat sleeve. AS she did so the
turf crumbled under his feet, and, with
a startled cry, he sank away from her
over the brink Of the precipice.
Strengthening her grasp on his
sleeve as his weight pulled her down
ward, she threw her strong young
body on the ground and clutched with
her free hand at the tough branches of
q stunted cedar.
''Let GOT he said hoarsely. "You
are risking your life!"
81 shall not let CO." she replied de-
cisively. Except for your blindness
you are a strong manr'
eyes," he said impatiently, "bat you
must release me at once, madam! II
have been foolish enough to tsNopar-
die my own life you must not sacri-
fee yoursw
''If you are strong you can pull your
self up by the aid of this cedar tree. l
will bend 1t down-so-there! Now,
draw yourself up, and l will help you
on to firm ground"
Five minutes later he lay painting on
the ground at her feet. 81 am very
grateful he began eagerly, when her
crisp, cool voice stopped the words on
his lips.
II am more than repaid" she said,
with cruel emphasis. 81 never met a
coward beforeY'
"A-coward" he stammered, sitting
up and turning his sightless eyes to-
ward her.
"a coward!" she repeated firmly.
"You see-I know-Rose Abernethy."
"Ah. you have the advantage of me,
madam Your fattering words indicate
that you have some knowledge Of my
Affairs
His face was very red, and his black
DroWS We're drawn IOSetner III dn al
CRY frown.
II know enough-to form an opin-
ion," said Miss Abernethy coldly. 81
will tell you why believe you to be a
coward If you wish"
He smiled grlmly.
"You have been good enough to save
a very worthless life. Go on"
''You are coward because you are
afraid to let Rose Abernethy know
that you are blind You denied her the
right to share your affection and to let
her money make things easier for you.
She would gladly have shared her pal
try dollars with you"
sYou don't understand. whoever you
are" he said shortly. II am poor
man. I had just reached a point where
my fortunes depended upon the keen