The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-07-28

she met face to face huge policeman
and 1.-THE youth. Nita's heart went
out to the latter In her imagination
she pictured the young man as way
ward and pawning, perhaps stealing,
iewelry. Surely he must be thief, or
why his police escort? The suspected
youth looked at her sharply as he
passed into the shop, and Mia hurried
home with her purchase. Once in her
room, she told her maid to send the
laundress upstairs. She wished to
speak to her privately.
Here is your watch, Mrs. Berry,
said Nita as she handed the timepiece
to her washerwoman, who began to
weep copiously on a gingham apron
81 hope you will never have to part
with it again. The next time you need
money for sickness or any serious
trouble come to me. Never pawn any
thing again. 1t is a terrible habit"
continued Mia. Then, recalling the
picture of the handsome youth, she
| added: sIt teaches young men where
| they can get extra money and Qftener
gets them into trouble than out of It..
Now run along to your work and never
think Of 1t again" And Mrs. Berry,
clasping the cheap yet precious watch
of her dead husband to her heart
went back to her tubs.
Several weeks later Nita Norcross
was invited to the clambake given at
Oak Ridge by her old friends the
| Clydes. Mrs. Clyde introduced her to
the many new friends they had met
since moving to Oak Ridge, and soon
supper was in full swing
Encircling the round table were thir-
| ty men and girls, and Nita casually
looked them over. Directly opposite
she recognized a new face strangely
familiar. Where had she seen that
man before2 He had an almost imper-
tinent smile, and, look where she
would. their glances seemed always to
cross.
| Supper was over, and the guests
were strolling about the grounds. The
man with the familiar-strange face
came up to Nita as she stood beneath
clump Of lanterns.
'This is Miss Norcross, l believe"
he said. 81 am Mr.. Hildredth. We
were introduced early In the evening,
cut no doubt you did not catch my
name. Have you seen the sunken lake
of which Clyde is so proudF'
Once away from the crowd, they
found comfortable little seat along
the waters edge, and the moonlight
| 4olI oioar ,,y,o,, fhnm
Gorgeous night, isn't it?" suggest
ed Mia She could not explain why
she had this uncommon constrained
feeling when with this man.
Bully" he replied. May light a
cigarette just to keep the bugs awayT'
''You certainly may" agreed Nita.
II wonder If you would think me
frightfully rude" began Mr.. Hill,
dredth, "if / were to ask you where
you ran against the locket you have
on your neck, Miss Norcross. It's a
perfect beauty. have seen but one
other like it, and that belonged to my
mother"
Nita blushed and nervously twirled
the locket which hung on fine chain
about her neck.
"Why, 1 bought it." she finally an
swered.
"Yes, Of course, but wheref"
The silence which followed was pain
full. and Hildredth continued:
"You see, my mothers locket was
stolen along with lot Of other jew
elry that my valet relieved me of
about a year ago, and I've spent hun
dreds of dollars and world Of time
trying to locate the stuff. What he
took of mine 1 don't care rap about
but my mothers keepsakes well, you
could understand that would be diff
ferent thing. In my mothers locket
there is a picture Of child-a picture
Of me- Whom do you carry in yours,
Miss NorcrossY
Hildredth waited several minutes for
his answer. Slowly the girl took the
locket from her throat and reached 1t
to him.
"Open it." she almost whispered.
He did SO and revealed the picture
of curly headed child Of about six,
and while Hildredth looked long at
the picture the girl told the story Of
! how she came by it