The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-10-12

FROM HIM, LAUGHING.
doch's questions She just wormed it
out of me, and l can't evade like some
people"
The professor rose and came around
to her "You know l wouldn't hurt
you for the world"
But you have hurt me-" Patricia
sobbed. land l wish you'd go away. l
don't want to speak to you any more
to you or to Mary Morris or-any-
bodyw
Then she fed from the dining room,
and the professor had to take his pun
ishment, for Patricia refused to make
up. She did not stay for the after
breakfast chat that had become SO
much to the professor. And after din
ner she shut herself In her room and
could not be coaxed down to sing the
Irish melodies that had been the de-
light Of the boarders.
ITS too bad" the professor said In
a worried way to Mary Morris.
Eyes," Mary agreed, "but l can't do
anything with her. went to her with
tears in my eyes and begged pardon.
but she said that you and were just
alike; that we had judged her-and she
would abide by our judgment"
poor little PatT said the professor,
tenderly.
He didn't like to say how much he
missed her, the little friend whom he
had come to know in the big boarding
house.
On Saturday he sent her some
fiowers-pansies tied with pale purple
ribbon, with a little card, "For
thoughts" And Patricia had sent him
a perfunctory little note Of thanks
and had not worn the pansies. How
could he know that she had slept with
them against her cheek and had press
ed two purple ones in her Testament?
1t was all very unpleasant and I'M
happy, and it might have lasted long
er If 1t had not been for Mrs. Muir
doch.
The big landlady told one day bit
of scandal. 1t related to the hus-
band of a meek little woman who al
ways appeared at the breakfast table
In a red tea gown.
Mrs. Murdoch, having breathed her
precious bit of news into the ears Of
q half dozen spinsters, rejoiced in the
furry of exciting comment. And ex-
element lent to her cheeks when she
came In to the Sunday dinner a red
ness that was increased by the warmth
of the day.
This Sunday meal was a dinner to
eonjure with. The boarders ate and
praised, and Mrs. Murdoch was just
leaning back in her chair when the
husband of the lady who wore the red
tea gown burst upon the scene.
He went straight up to Mrs. Muir
doch and thundered, what have you
been saying about me to my wifer'
Mrs Murdoch turned pale. Never
before had her sins of gossip been
brought home to her. Nothing" she
stammered.
you have told enough to make her
unhappy, to make her accuse meme.
What right had you"
Mrs Murdoch took refuge in the ex-
cuse Of the weak. "Well, 1 was told
"Who told your" His black eyes
swept the board.
The eyes of the six spinsters met his
serenely. Not from them had come the
first telling of the tale.
But Patricia flushed, as the innocent
will at times with the memory of for
mer sins upon them. The flush caught
Mrs Murdoch's desperate eye.
1T seems to me that heard it from
Miss Patricia" she murmured.
"Ohr Patricia gasped, but before
she could say more the professor was
on his feet.
81 think you must take that back,
Mrs. Murdoch" His voice was stern.
Miss Patricia is incapable Of such a
thing. l think every one here will
agree to that"
WELL" Mrs. Murdoch evaded, you
know she told me about Mary Morris
engagement"
Because you wormed It out Of her,