The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-12-15


a mans voice greeted her.
II say, Miss O'Rourke," he suggest
ed, '1et me cut out that tardy Haw-
thorne, won't you? Come along to the
dance with meT
Again Grace hesitated. Down in the
farthest corner of her heart she really
and truly cared for Julian Hawthorne,
but he was never on time for any APP
pointment, and here was a choice op-
portunity to teach him bitter lesson.
Then, too, Charlie Rice was splendid
dancer. Impulsively she accepted his
offer and half an hour later found
them in the midst Of the summer
crowd dancing and apparently oblivi-
GUS of all else on earth.
The ball was at its height when Ju-
Ian Hawthorne entered the room. In
the doorway he leaned against the sill
as If physically tired, and the lids hung
heavily over his black eyes.
AS Rice and Grace passed him lost
in the ecstasy of dreamy waltz his
gaze followed the two closely, and a
satirical smile spread over his face.
When the dance was over Hawthorne
slowly crossed the room.
"May l have the next dance, Grace?"
he asked, without seeming to notice
Rice, who stood by her side.
do you think you could be on time
to claim it?" parted Grace, with sting
ing sarcasm.
81 am here now, waiting" Haw-
thorne answered as he extended his
left arm.
If men but knew the power they
have over women who truly love themi
There was something within Grace
ORourke that night which told her to
reject the arm he extended, but that
greater something-love-made her ac-
cept it. In another moment they were
whirling round and round the room.
The night was warm, and when the
dance was half over they walked out
into the spacious grounds surrounding
the big hotel.
II want to tell you why l was late
tonight, Grace" Hawthorne began.
"But l don't want to hear" inter-
rupted Grace. Its always some ex-
cuse, Julian, and Pm tired of it all. If
it's not the office it's the train, and if
it's not the train it's something else"
"Well, then, will you let me tell you
something else-something that you've
never heard before, at least not from
me?'' he added.
"Oh, all right" agreed Grace, "only
make it short story, for I've prom
ised the next twostep to Charlie Rice
1T won't take long to tell you,
dear" Hawthorne's voice seemed very
near, and he spoke slowly and with
great earnestness. II just want to try
to tell you how much l love you,
Grace, how long have loved you
and that at last / am In position to
ask you to be my wife,"
"As usual, my dear Julian, you are
too late" announced Grace, with as
sumed nonchalance. "Pve just prom
lsed to marry some one else"
Hawthorne lighted a cigarette and
said nothing. If Grace expected a
TRADE about the tickleness of women
she was disappointed. Hawthorne was
the type of man to take defeat grace
fully, but he did not fail to note the
unsteadiness of Grace's step as they
returned to the house nor the trem-
bling notes in her voice when she
spoke.
He loved her we'll enough to know
her through and through. He was a
man who took few chances In life, but
he would have wagered that Grace
O'Rourke loved him at that moment
despite her cool rejection Of his suit.
Hawthorne led her to Rice, who was
waiting to claim his dance, and then
went up to the smoking room. Long
he sat and smoked in silence, when
suddenly he realized that the dressing
rooms were filing up with guests pre-
pairing to go home The dance was
over A man suggested that he smelled
smoke, but the idea was laughed down
II guess it's Hawthorne's bitter root
cigar that smells like fire." sang out
Charlie Rice. And the listeners al
laughed in reply.
Hawthorne slipped on his light over
coat and sauntered toward the CLOSED
door that led into the hall He opened
it upon a curling cloud Of smoke. A
the same instant screams came from
| all directions. Men and women were IL
pandemonium Rice was the first MAI
downstairs. his one idea being sell
preservation, but above the roar Of
screams Julian Hawthorne's voice rams
| out clear and loud.
please keep back. Calm yourselves
and no one will be hurt"
They gave him no heed. Madly the!
tore ahead, fighting like maniacs. AL
made for the main stairway. Gowns
were torn. arms were broken and an
kles sprained in the effort to get out o.
the burning building. Once more Haw
thorne raised his voice above the hum.
II beg of you-I"- His voice stop
ped short, for clinging to his arm was
| Grace.
'Save me, Julian, dear" she pleaded.
Silently he dragged her into one o
the dressing rooms and opened larg'
| door leading to back staircase.
"rve tried to head them all OF thi