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


admirably together were it not that
with the advent of the Fairlies both
began to cast covetous eyes upon one
bright particular star.
And their mutual dread each that
the other might win the favor of Miss
Serena was the real root Of the ami
mostly which inspired Mr.. Ferris and
animated Mr.. Davis.
Not that up to the time that the
black curtain of silent wrath descend
ed between them either had made con-
| fdential mention Of his hopes, but GER
tain it was that, the morning after
Miss Fairlie had attended the concert
with Mr.. Ferris, Mr.. Davis resented
the presence of the dog Of Mr.. Ferris
on his front lawn and sent word to
that gentleman to keep his ours al
home.
Equally certain it Is that, subse'
uuent to the occasion when Miss Fair
lie danced twice with Mr.. Davis, Mr.
Ferris sent due warning that If his
neighbours hens again intruded upon
his property they would be promptly
decapitated.
Then the deaf aunt and the deafel
servant of Mr.. Ferris and the house
keeper of Mr.. Davis who had seen
better days took up the feud, and Sc
from the little acorn Of rivalry sprane
a lofty and far branching tree.
Perhaps there was no one who stood
so absolutely within the shadow cast
by this tree as Frank Heatherly, who
was the nephew of Mr.. Davis and was
clerk in the real estate Office Of MI
Ferris.
He was a well set up young fellow
Of about thirty, who had wonderful
knack of knowing what not to say and
when not to say it, for both men
confided in him, and after it became
known that Miss Fairlie had fallen
heir to a snug legacy each announced
to Frank his decision to bring his mat
rimonial campaign to a climax.
'sThe money has nothing to do with
my resolution" Mr.. Ferris declared
APART from this business l possess
stocks and other property. What are
you smiling at?'
ibid / smile, sir2"
"I don't care a dash for her money! r
Mr.. Davis informed his nephew. my
rents bring me in quite sum yearly
What are you grinning about2"
II shall ask her the night Of the
spring dance" Mr. Ferris decided
ssNo girl in her senses would consider
that fat old widower when she might
| have mev'
'"That skinny old bachelor hasn't the
ghost of a shown Mr. Davis assured
Frank. 'Tn ask her the night Of the
spring dancer
The eventful night came-a resplen
dent night. The elite of the town
streamed into the clubhouse. Lights
shone from every window. Merry
waltz music set young feet tapping
The sound of joyous voices was every
where.
And Serena Fairlie, graceful, gra
cious, good to look upon, her brown
gold hair shining in the light her eyes
cleaning like topazes. her simmer
ing gown Of black just hecked witt
glowing orange, was In herself an en-
trancing apparition.
MT. Ferris secured the first dance
Mr.. Davis, putting up belated, eagerly
appropriated the second The res
were already blurred out by cabalist'
initials.
'sI call this unkind discrimination
painted Mr.. Davis. But Serena Fairli'
only laughed. Mr.. Ferris whisked he
away, and there was sardonic CLEAN
in his eyes as they rested on the lugu
brious countenance OF Mr.. Davis.
The dance done, Mr.. Ferris prompt!
led his partner to the conservatory.
''Dear Miss Serena" began Mr.. Fer
ris fervently, ST have long admired
that noble sentiment, Once to ever!
man and nation comes the moment t
decide -
isn't 1t warm?" asked Miss Serena
moving toward the window.
"And," continued Ferris, following
'Pve always admired that exquisite
sentiment Two souls with but sin
gle thought -
Serena gave him smile Of exquisite
leniency and looked out at the span
gled sky. All, sweet was comprehen
sion and sympathy His lyric instinc
scared once more.