The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-04-27
LOVES
FAITHFUL
HAVEN.
By MARIA CLIFFWORTH.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.


were Mrs. Ferry's hobby.
To be sure, she and Anna Jane were
the only people in the house, and WIS.,
itors came very seldom, but to Mrs.
Ferry that was no reason why she
should not keep her carpets covered.
The room was growing dim, for
night fell early. This having to light
up at half past was a great drain on
the oil can, but there are times when
one cannot see even with two pairs OF
spectacles astride ones nose. She
leaned forward and called:
"Anna Janew
Anna Jane came scurrying down
stairs, stumbling over the braided rug
at the top of the fight and almost los
ing her balance and tumbling over the
braided rug at the foot.
what have you been doing upstairs
all this timer Mrs. Ferry demanded,
looking at her sharply. She had no
ton that Anna Jane had been crying.
you better go to the postofhce right
away If you're going"
Anna Jane took down her faded old
jacket and limp hat. Shall light the
lamp before l go?" she asked timidly.
SCI guess not. / amt in such ter
rible hurry as you be to burn up the
last bit of oil there is in the house.
That's because have to buy it, may
be-"
She set her old mouth grimly. Anna
Jane hurried into her things without
another word.
There was really nothing to go to the
postofice for. She had gone four days
now in succession without receiving
anything from the hands of the impa-
tent clerk Yet, rain or shine, Anna
Jane must make her daily pilgrimage
to the postoffice.
1t never occurred to her to rebel
against this or any other task Aunt
Hulda set her. Aunt Hulda had been
very good, she thought, to take her in
when she was left little helpless girl
without parents or friends.
She had childish memory of the
time Aunt Hulda came to get her. She
believed Aunt Hulda had favored her
sister lilly more, for lilly was older
and far prettier.
lilly married early and well. When
she had been married five years she
suddenly remembered Anna Jane and
sent for her to visit her. Anna Jane
went and had the time of her life.
lilly was very good to her, but in
clined to make fun of her old fash
toned ways of dress and manner.
Gamma Jane" she said, you've got
to do your hair different and wear
something besides that made over
black dress of Aunt Hulda's. Pm GO
ing to get you pink lawn, and when
it's made I'll give you party"
Anna Jane gasped with delight The
evening Of that party and the first
wearing of the pink lawn was the
most memorable of her life, for that
evening she met him. No man had
ever before paid her any attention,
and her little head was quite turned.
He came to call the next evening, and
the next, and the next. OF a sudden he
! had grown wonderfully friendly with
the Martins, and Tilly understood. She
worked with might and main to make
the match, and when Anna Jane went
home she was engaged.
Anna Jane was to be married from
Aunt Hulda's house, and she set to
work upon her simple trousseau. Aunt
Hulda, grown suddenly generous, help
ed her, and lilly sent $40 to buy the
wedding dress. Anna Jane lived In a
heavenly dream. He wrote every week,
and she wrote back every week.
Then his letters began to lag, and at
last came silence. Anna Jane wept and
wondered. She could do nothing. Even
lilly could not for a long time find out
what was the trouble. But when she
did she wrote her sister.
''He's marriedp' she ragged. "He mar
7, ried that Convers girl that was here at
your party. She always wanted him,
and now she's got him. They went to
| Nhe justice a month ago and were mar
ried on the sly. l wouldn't believe II
| till had it right from her own mouth,
the impudent thingp'
Poor Anna Jane! She packed away
her wedding things with dazed look
in her eyes that never after left them
Aunt Hulda sighed and sighed.
She seemed to feel that Anna Jane
was all to blame and treated her ac'
cordingly.
But there were times when the bur
den pressed more heavily upon her
than at others, and tonight was one OF
them. Her voice trembled as she
stood at the general delivery window
and put the worn question:
"Any mail for Mrs. Hulda Ferry
pleaseT
The clerk snatched package Of let
tiers from a pigeonhole and thumbed
them hurriedly. Then he shook his
head. and Anna Jane, with fresh hui
initiation upon her, turned away.
The storm had increased, and In the
faint light the sidewalk was slippery
A big man with an umbrella, whose
hat brim was turned down and whose
coat collar was turned up, saw her.
"Look outv' he cried grufiy. he
caught her by the arm and helped her
Anna Jane dropped her head, with {
gasp Of thanks. He held the umbrel
Ia over her and walked silently at bel
side, shielding her generously from the
haying storm.
When she turned the corner he turn
ed It with her. 1t was a most unusua
proceeding. Anna Jane was not used
TO receiving such courtesies. She won
dered who he was, but she did no
dare look into his face to see. Pres
emily he spoke again gruf1y:
"I'm looking for Mrs. Hulda Ferry
Can you tell me where she liyesT
Anna Jane jumped. why, yes,
can" she said. I'm going right t
her house now. l live with her"
"Oh, do you? said the man. "The
I'll accompany you home"
He did not speak again, nor oil
Anna Jane. When they reached Mrs
Ferrys little low house Anna Jan
went up the steps, and he FOLLOWED
She opened the door and went in, an
he went In too.
He tore open his long ulster an
threw off his hat.
Anna Jane" he said, don't 20
know meT
Anna Jane tipped uncertainty, an
he caught her and put her In a chair
1--WE scared you most to death, an
l didn't mean to-" he said regretfull!
Gamma Jane" he went on earnestl!
my wife's dead. did a FOOLS
thing by myself and wicked one B
Won when / married her, but that
bygones and can't be helped now. II
ten years older and good deal wise
And I've come to see if-n you won