The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-05-25

got more than l know what to do
with. You must let me take care Of
you. We better be married, you and
/. That will give me the right"
The girl flushed. She looked at the
homely, honest face now bent again
above the papers on the table.
"Oh, Jim she said breathlessly.
chow can you? l know how you mean
it." she hurried on as look of panied
surprise crossed his face. you are
good, as you've always been-too good
and too thoughtful. But married?'
She laughed bit Historically. "Oh,
dear, nor
81 wish you would" said he rather
heavily. "As / say, l have money in
plenty, and this estate of your ia
ther's"-
"Jim, hushr' said the girl. ut is
impossible Please-please don't say
anything more about it. I'll take care
of myself somehow. There's little
money, you say Well and good. /
shall have to support myself. shall
simply have to learn to. There's my
music. certainly should be able to
do something with that Pm sure
can make good bit giving lessons"
Caverly looked doubtful. "Of course
If it's quite impossible
at is" she declared.
'sWell, then" said he, still obviously
''you might try the music lessons. But
If they fail the offer just made still
holds good"
He arose and picked up his hat and
gloves. AS the door closed behind him
the girl stood at the window, watching
rather wistfully the broad shoulders
and the erect head as their owner
made his WY toward the avenue.
Something like rueful smile curved
the corners of her mouth. II Jm's
offer had only come under different
circumstances and in a different way,
she was thinking, it would have SIM
plified matters amazingly.
But Jim was such a whole souled,
honest, slow minded chap he never
could do thing tactfully nor hide the
real import Of his meaning.
Caverly, on his part, stalked down
tue llllfG 6lICCly WOAdCAAA6 NV OA~
earth he had ever the courage to make
his offer and feeling decidedly like a
man who had taken an unfair advan-
tage.
'Me?v he said scornfully to himself
and half aloud Catherine marry
me? don't blame her. swear
don'ti My face would stop clock
two blocks away. and I'm just about
as much suited to her as an elephant
is to humming bird. Lord knows,
though, can't bear the thought Of her
working for her living"
Nevertheless the music lessons be-
gan. But somehow they were not
great success. Catherine struggled on
bravely, but pupils were few and far
between, and at the end Of the first
year there had been an amazing
shrinkage Of the slender legacy that
lad come to her at her fathers sudden
death.
Another six months, and so little
was left that Catherine was genuinely
alarmed. 1t was then that Caverly
heard the news one day that Catherine
was to marry Frederick Brewster, her
fathers partner. The rumor stirred
MIN to action, and with no waste of
time be hurried to her house. He
found the girl In the little library
where he had seen her last
It was a rather tired Catherine who
greeted him, thin and pitiful Gath
crime, with big eyes and an air OF
WEAKNESS that reused his inmost be-
ing to anger.
eLook here" he said with his usual
candor; you look just about played
out"
"weu, 1 am" she said. almost de-
family.
"And what's all this hear about your
marrying Brewster he demanded
"The truth" she said YEARLY.
CaverIy began pulling at the fingers
Of his gloves. His brows were drawn
together. and his eyes refused to meet
her own. Plainly there was something
he wanted to say. Catherine knew the
symptoms of old. She waited patient
ly.
what are you marrying him forT'
he blurted out at length.
money! said Catherine through
tight lips.
There was another period Of silence.
HE hasn't got as much money as l
have" said he.
The girl was silent.
"Why didn't you marry mer' he
said sharply I'D have given you
more money than he can. I'd have
been better to you. too, I'll warrant
you. know Brewster l can't bear
the thought. of your marrying him
You know me. You know I'll at least
be decent to you. I'll not trouble you.
I'll keep out Of your way as much as
you ask. why don't you marry meT
81 can't" she said.
"Why notT he demanded.
because because-oh, it's diherenk.
I can't marry xou Just for money, Jim