The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-12-21
BY EUNIcE UNDERWOOD

< BY EUNICE UNDERWOOD
= Copyright, 1905, by American Press
Association.
%~>>A~A~A~>~~%~~~~~>~>%~~%
The morning was very pleasant, but
so far all the mornings had been pleas
ant at this delightful out of the way
resort. Mrs. Bradford drew long
breath as she descended the hotel
steps, Her physician had certainly
been right when be recommended a
change of climate. Already she began
to feel the influence Of the mild air
and the long days spent out Of doors.
AS she reached the sidewalk she paused
with a questioning smile.
"Where to. Mildred?' she asked.
The little girl who was skipping
along by her side looked up brightly.
THE plaza, of course, mamma. You
can read, and will play This after
noon we'll go down on the beach"
The street was very quiet-an oc-
| casional dray with it's load of trunks
| and baggage and here and there a
group of pleasure seekers on their way
to the plaza or the beach; overhead a
few buzzards circled about and from
| the direction of the plaza came
slight breeze which was laden with
perfume of orange blossoms and the
saltiness of the bay which glistened
beyond the trees.
AS they reached the corner a keen
newsboy darted across the street, and
| his shrewd face broadened into grin
when his customer smilingly refused
the change he offered.
Through the openings in the trees
thew could see the white sails OF pleas
ure boats on the bay and beyond these
the green shore of Promontory point.
Near the extreme end of the point rose
the tall white buildings of the state
penitentiary Mrs Bradford shivered
a little as she saw them. The grim
buildings seemed out Of place in this
quiet winter resort.
1t was not far to the plaza, but when
they reached it they found that most
of the settees were already occupied.
| They walked down one of the side
paths and came back by the fountain.
AS they did so Mildred turned sud
denly.
"There's a seat that's most all emp
| IT," she whispered eagerly
It was a little of the path and half
hidden by the low branches of live
oak. AS they approached Mrs. Brad
ford noticed that its only occupant
was a tall young man whose face look
ed strangely white and eager. He
watched them curiously as they sat
down, and bis lips parted in friendly
smile Then. as though conscious OF
improperly, he got up and began to
walk back and forth uneasily. For a
time Mrs. Bradford scarcely noticed
him, then something peculiar about
his step caused her to raise her eyes
from the book she was reading. The
Young man seemed to have forgotten
their presence and was walking back
and forth with bowed head Every
few seconds he wheeled sharply and
retraced his steps.
Mrs. Bradford noticed with curious
wonder that he always wheeled at ex-
actly the same points. Then she saw
that his left foot dragged behind the
other as though ii carried heavy
weight At first she thought be was
lame, but even while she was CON
passionating him he raised bis head
With a quick. startled movement and
for a time the lameness disappeared
and the walk was extended to tht
end OF the path
Then his head once more sank upOr
his breast, the short turns were re
sumed. and the left foot again began
it's weary, dragging motion Appar
entity be was conscious Of his weak
uess. for several times she say hin
recover himself impatientIS and glance
sharply around.
Overhead the knocking birds were
calling to each other. and something
In their notes seemed TO arouse bin
from his reverie Presently he stop
ped beneath the tree and glanced III
With a rapt expression on his face
Mrs. Bradford saw 1t, and her eyes
softened
..You like the birdsT' she said pleas
antly.
"I-used to-" be replied hesitatingly
Then noticing the surprise in be-
face, he added alphabetically: .
: haven't seen any before for most ter
years They seem sort Of strange
He stood still for a moment With thu
color deepening on his sallow cheeks
then he slouched forward and threw
himself on the grass at the foot of tn
/ tree Mrs Bradford gazed at him curl
ously for moment and then returnet
to her book
Out in t4le path Mildred was play
ing with her ball. At length it strucl
! limb and bounded toward the youns
man. He picked it up eagerly and hal
rose to his feet; but. seeing the fright
| ened look Oh her face he tossed it bacl
] and resumed his slouching position OF
the grass.
After awhile the ball again rolled t
] his feet This time he did not offel
! to return it. AS Mildred approached
, he looked up. with a smile.
1.-THE covers coming off your ball,
DE said pleasantly IF you'll let mi
I'll fix it, | know how"
/ but mamma said I'd have to taxi
it to shoemaker" she answere.
: doubtfully. "Leather's awful hard Il
/ sew"
mot If YOU have things to wor'
with" he said quietly. "See here.
Taking a small package from his pock
, ct, he opened it and showed her sev
eral curious needles and some coarse
, shining thread.
They gave them to me when | lef
the-the place where | learned m'
trade" he said in a low voice.
, don't suppose | shall ever use then
, NV folks will not let me do that. Blu
shall always keep them near me
, Some time | may need advice, and thi
little package will be able to tell me
great many things-a great many sa'
things which you will never under
stand. little one" he added gently
Mildred gazed at him wonderinglJ
but as she saw the skilled fingers draw
the leather over the ball and 1asten
securely in place her look OF wonde
changed to one of pleasure.
I'm ever so much obliged" she sal
gratefully. 'T'd hate awfully to los
the ball. Grandpa gave it to me-" SD
watched him a few moments In S