The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-05-04

instance, that of late years he had
not seemed to care enough for her to
present her with a good picture Of
himself.
She enlarged upon this bit of negli-
Gence until she had impressed Aller
ton with its due monstrosity. That
she had not been presented periodic
ally with a photograph of her lover
was nothing short of gross insult.
AS her extraordinary burst Of anger
reached a climax on this one of his
many flaws Allerton began to grasp
the idea that she had really wanted
his picture and that he had been
guilty of a most grave misdemeanor
In not sending 1t to her. But 1t was
too late now, and the honest but clum-
sy fellow, Of course, made matters
worse by saying 80. They parted,
each believing the other to be most
unreasonable creature.
Soon after Allerton, very respondent
and bitterly disappointed, went into
business in a distant state. He had
not been gone long when the Silent
Bells father died insolvent, and she
went to her brother Robert, who lived
in another town. There Belle, wish
ing to be independent, procured po-
sition In a school Her brother by viz
tue Of being town clerk was also clerk
OF the board of education.
At the holiday vacation the princi-
pal Of the school resigned. So great
a confidence had Bellies work won for
her that the board of education asked
her to suggest some one for the place.
She named a man Of whose years and
experience she could assure them, and
at their request she wrote him asking
him to correspond with the school
board and to send his photograph.
Her brother Robert took the mail
from their box a few days afterward
and hurried to the board meeting.
There was no letter from Bellies can
didate, but there was a photo ad
dressed to her. Robert hastily gave
the photograph to the chairman Of the
board without even opening the wrap
per and hurried away again to keep
an appointment with the mayor.
Bellies recommendation and the fine
looking face shown by the picture sat
isfled the members. Being anxious to
act on the principaIship that evening,
they looked at the name and address
on the back of the picture and dis
patched letter at once.
1t was a very much puzzled and per
picked as well as slightly amused gen
tleman who sat at his desk In his ele-
CANT office a few days later and read
a letter appointing him to principal
ship of a country school with an an
nual salary almost but not quite equal
to the monthly income that was
earned for him by his business.
He called to his stenographer and
dictated letter to the school board
explaining to them that they must
have made a mistake. Suddenly he
looked again at the name Of the town.
Then he lit a cigar and thought. Then
he laughed.
"Why notT said he. 81 can spare
month to see"
With this Delphic utterance he tore
up the answer that his stenographer
had brought him, shut down his desk
and told his manager that he had been
called out Of town and would be away
for some time.
When the Silent Bell entered her
schoolroom on the first morning after
the holidays she found on her desk
typewriter request to report at the
principals Office at once. She ran
lightly up the stairs, opened the door
of the office and found herself face to
face with Allerton.
"Good morning, Miss Edwards" said
Allerton blandly II would like to con-
suit with you about some Of the de-
tails of this school system. / trust
may count upon your cooperation dur
ing my principalship here"
John Henry Allerton," said Belle,
what are you doing hereT"
"My good looks" answered he grave
ly, appear to have procured me this
position. / am here"-this with great
dignity-''to fill my position"
"Good Iooks?" queried Belle.
"As represented by the photograph l
sent you during the holidays" explain
ed Allerton.
The light Of comprehension began to
dawn upon Belle. Being a woman, her
intuition helped her to a solution OF
the problem, and she realized that this
was really not a joke Of John Aller-
toms.
81 really thank you" went on Aller-
ton, "for your extreme kindness In
recommending me. I hope You do not
already regret it."
Belle remained silent. She was strug-
Cling between a belief that she ought
to tell Allerton that she had not taken
this method to let him know she for
gave him and a wish to let him know
she still cared.
"Belle," said Allerton, becoming ear
nest, 81 found out from your brother
what had happened. As soon as ar