The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-07-14

6VhOOh xNIO x6A WA1hns
back turned. So he stared out over
the lake with an intenseness that
proved his undoing, for his sister was
attracted by the motionless little fig
ure and stopped to see what held the
child's attention for so long.
Both she and Arthur Bannister paus-
ed and strained their eyes in an en-
deavor to discover what the interest
ing object might be. and. failing to see
anything unusual In the appearance OF
the lake or the general view, they
turned their attention to the small
figure.
Detection would have been instan
taneous if Willieboy had not taken the
precaution to exchange coats with a
neighbor boy early IN the morning.
More than once the ruse had led to
escape in some adventure, since the
owner of the coat was able to prove
an alibi This time it proved futile.
however, and Willieboy's own indiscre-
ton proved his undoing.
Peeping from the corner of his eye
he saw that the lake shore as far as
the next turn was deserted, and I'M
wisely he decided that Nell and Ar
thur had passed around the curve and
out of sight
He was chuckling at his own clever
ness when the smile froze upon his
lips, for as he turned he confronted his
sister. whose voice rose In shrill com
mand that he come out at once.
won't" declared Wiilieboy.
you'll get whipping If you don't
come out this instant" said Nell firmly
Willieboy smiled knowingly as he
shook his head. Whether he came or
not punishment was now inevitable
so he might as well enjoy his fun to
the utmost before he came forth to be
soundly thrashed
you'll catch your death of cold,
warned Nell, and Willieboy smiled
afresh. The home treatment for colds
was a delicious compound in which mo
lasses figured largely. and Willieboy en-
joyed having colds. even at the cost Of
pain in the throat and a feeling as
though Maggie had put a fatiron on
his chest.
"Are you comingT demanded Nell
as Wilieboy's smile widened.
NO" said Willieboy, with impolite
brevity.
IF l have to come aud get you
warned Nell.
Willieboy was moved to unseemly
mirth and even Arthur smiled be
meath his mustache at the idea Of Nell
in her pretty spring frock wading into
the muddy waters of the lake after her
truant brother.
But Wrlieboy was again his own
undoing, for his calm defiance now
moved Nell to tears, and Bannister
slipped off his coat.
"William," he Numbered, ''if you
don't come ashore this instant I'll
come after you!"
Willieboy eyed him for an instant as
though to size up his determination.
and the delay was fatal. for without
another word Bannister strobe into
the water.
Slowly Willieboy backed away until
he reached the edge of the bank be-
yond, where the bottom shelved sharp
ly downward. There was a cry from
Nell. an exclamation from Bannister.
ana WiIlicboy went over backward
into the deep water of the channel.
Down, down he went, the boots pre-
venting his rising again to the top,
and the cry Of terror which he sought
hfInh1n hQfOTp
it reached the surface. Then he felt
something strike him, hand grasped
his collar. and Willieboy knew no more
until he woke in his own little bed
at home and looked up into his moth
ers eyes, red trimmed from weeping.
"Did he get me?" demanded Willie
boy. His mother nodded.
arthur always gets what he goes
after" said Willieboy contentedly. "f
he'd waited l was coming In"
The boy dropped off to sleep again.
But Nell coming down the hall, heard
the words, and she flushed softly. Ar
thur Bannister had habit Of getting
what he wanted. At times it seemed
to Nell as If he wanted her, and the
thought brought a soft flush to her
cheeks and a happy smile to her lips.
But in the days that followed the res
cue of WnIieboy it seemed as if Ban
mister had changed his mind, for,
though he was a frequent caller and
his eyes glowed with admiration as
they rested upon Nell, he did not speak
the words that lowered upon his
tongue.
Still more significant was the fact
that he no longer unanswered to rid
himself of the presence Of Willieboy
when that trouble brewer appeared
upon the scene.
One afternoon the boy was sitting
upon Bannister's lap as the latter wait
ed for Nell to come downstairs, and
with the curiosity Of youth Willie
boy was pursuing his investigations.
The recent rescue Of pretty girl
from the lake and a subsequently an
nouaced engagement between the res