The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-07-06

ARE YOU PLEASED BECAOSE 1OO AAE ~
HAVE AN AUNT, OLIVER z"
and tell the ladies the latest fashion
news from Paris. I'll cut some roses
for Glenn The older man hustled
away, while the younger with miser-
able eyes and reluctant feet made his
way to the stables.
Fifteen minutes later Oliver was rid
ing away from the pillared portico
where the major waved a brisk fare
well.
A great sheaf of yellow roses rested
on the pommel of the saddle, and their
delicious fragrance assailed divers
nostrils with haunting memories Of the
last days before he had sailed for Eu-
rope.
He had walked with Glen Miles,
his old playfellow, In the rose garden
the very night before his departure,
and Glenn had promised to wait for his
return, and now she was engaged to
an old man-his unclel
divers thoughts were chaotic as be
entered the familiar gates. His blue
eyes were dazed with pain, and his
kindly heart was filed with bitterness.
He was torn with pity and contempt.
A white gown futtered down shady
walk bordered with tall box.
In an instant. Oliver had tied his
horse to tree and was after her with
a stern, relentless face.
She turned at his quick step on the
path, and i rare smile curved her
beautiful lips.
81 am glad to see you" she said sim
ply. "We have been expecting you.
The major said you must come todayr'
Oliver did not smile. He took her
outstretched hand in his own for one
brief instant and then dropped 1t. His
eyes took In the contrast of creamy
skin and blue black hair, the velvet
dark eyes and rose leaf mouth.
"My uncle sent these roses with his
compliments" he said, with sudden
awkwardness. HE has told me of
his engagement to you, and 1 have
come to tender my best wishes"
Clementina buried her face in the
roses. THANK you, Oliver" she said
at last, lifting her blushing face to his
Oliver frowned my uncle is very
happy" he said deliberately. His
home has always lacked a mistress,
and | am sure that no other could fill
that position more charmingly than
you"
Clementina sat down on a rustic
bench and absently pulled the yellow
roses to pieces. Her eyes watched
the falling petals as they fiuttered to
the turf.
"Are you pleased because you are
to have an aunt, oliver" she asked
suddenly.
"An aunte' Oliver stared at her
"Of course-I had forgotten the rela
tionship-what a mockeryp' he said
thickly. He dropped down on the
bench beside her. How could you
Glenn, after what you said that
night?"
Clementina did not reply. The roses
dropped to the ground with a rustic
as she fed down the box bordered
path and disappeared.
Oliver sat In miserable silence while
the shadows heightened. At last 9
light step sounded on the path, and
there came into view woman gown
ed in white, with snowy hair and 6
sweet, youthful face, much like Glenn
entina's.
The young man rose to his feet af
she approached.
At last she paused and stretched out
a slender jeweled hand "You must
be Oliver Stewart" she said gracious
ly.
Oliver bent low over her hand "And
you'll must know your he stammered
helplessly.
She laughed and shook her head
"You never set eyes on me before
Master Oliver. / am Clementina Miles
MFR. Miles only sister-from Loulsi
ana l wonder If you know now"
A light came into divers troubled
eyes. @And you-you are to make my
uncle the happiest man in the world, y
he replied with smile.
Miss Glen blushed and nodded ac-
quiescence. "Come and talk TO me
awhile" she said, leading the way into
the rose garden.
81 thought it was Glenn" explained
Oliver at the end of half hour. "She
did not deny it."