The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-08-03
THE REJECTED
DREAM Man.
BY AMELIA TRuEsDALE.


copyrighted. 1909. by Associated Literary
Press.l
Roy Adams, padding about among
the water lilies with Ruby Lane, had
just come near proposing to her and
she to refusing him, this being their
customary daily diversion. Now he
was watching her lazily. That was
what irritated her so-his inordinate
laziness He was large and blond,
with placid blue eyes like a sleepy
baby's. She was little and trim as
waxwork. and her gray eyes were
clear and keen.
81 don't know what kind of a fellow
you want" he grumbled amiably with
an indolent movement Of one oar.
Hes brisk" Ruby replied, land en-
ergetic"
Think I've got him in my minds
eye" Roy gave the other oar an easy
touch. Small and busting and chip
perry, like the little cock sparrow that
sat on a tree"
"He isn't like that in the least"
Ruby sat up prim and stiff and rosy
with Indignation.
-"Oh, isn't he? Beg his pardon.
Where is he nowT
] "At work." Ruby replied promptly,
her tone implying a comparison be-
tween a man thus profitably employed
and one who idled his time away at a
summer hotel.
perhaps he has an object In yiew,"
Roy insinuated.
Perhaps" Ruby admitted demurely.
"And-um-is the object to be at
tanned soon?'
Ruby let her eyes drop toward the
top ruff1e of her blue organdie.
'T-don't know exactly; not before
next spring" She was dabbling her
hand in the lake, her eyelashes still
slanting downward.
"Ah! Congratulate him and every
thing Shall we row over to that
bunch of willows or down to the little
cover
For an instant Ruby wished she
might tip the boat over, just to see If
his exasperating equanimity would be
disturbed by such an emergency.
II don't believe it would" she de-
cided in disgust. He'd get us out II
he could conveniently, and If he
couldn't he'd drown with the content
ed smile on his face as serenely as If
he were wooden Shem out Of a toy
Noah's ark"
Mrs Albert Lloyd was peacefully.
crocheting when her sister Ruby whirl
ed In upon her, cast herself into a
rocking chair and rocked tempestu-
ously for three minutes. Mrs Albert
viewed her quietly, suspending her
crochet hook for moment
Been fencing with Mr.. Adams
again ?" she queried mildly.
EYES," Ruby answered, "but hard
ly think he'll care about fencing any
more"
mo? Why notT"
81 practically told him l was-en-
gagged"
Dear me! And to whom?"
"a person | invented"
you unprincipled wretch What
did you do it forY'
"Just to see what effect it would
have"
''And what effect did it have?"
"None at all. You couldn't stir him
up to move an eyelash whatever you
did. He's too sublimely lazy even to
lose his temper"
Mrs Albert shook her head gently.
you're off the track" she comment
ed, unwinding more scarlet wool. HE
may perhaps be guilty of always keep
ing his temper, and, let me tell you, a
married woman would consider that a
very good failing, but as for being lazy
-Albert's friends say that, although
he has that lazy way and looks as If
he were letting things go to smash If
they want to. he has his eye on every
thing and every move he makes
counts / shouldn't wonder If you've
put your silly foot In 1t for once with
your invented man."
Mrs. Lloyd ceased her lecture as she
found herself talking to dissolving
view of blue organdie ruffies and a
couple of whisking sash ends and re-
turned to her crocheting.
Roy appeared before Ruby early the
next day In his usual calm frame of
mind and his boating rig.
Think he'll object to your going out
on the lake with me just once more"
he asked. "Pm going away early to-
morrow morning."
"What forT she asked.
"Haye to-" he responded. Vacation
comes to an end tonight. Can you go?'
She reflected dismally that she must
either confess her little romance of
yesterday to be an unfounded one or
bid goodby forever to this exasperat-
ing man, and she knew now that the
latter was something she could not do
and retain any shred Of happiness.
She waited. however. until they were
out on the blue. soothing bosom Of the
lake. Then she rushed into 1t.
HE couldn't object you know" she
said. reverting to his remark of some
time before, because he's only a lc-
| ton"
"a dream man?" he asked.
She nodded, blushing .uncomfortably.
He hummed a bar of when
Dream Came True" and settled back
easily. Ruby looked down In silence.
She was waiting for him to say some
thing else ard he was carelessly NOV
| ing an oar now and then and appar
emily thinking of nothing at all. She
noticed for the first time how strong
his brown hands looked. They were
not the hands of lazy man.
They drifted along aimlessly.
at was silly story to tell" Ruby
said at last
"Oh. don't know" he answered In
ouIgently. 81 rather thought you were
fabricating. But you might realize
him yet. you know"
81 don't want to-" Her voice was a
little uneven.
Poor dream mani l sympathize
with him, Pm sure Like to have that
pond lily?"
Thank you. don't care for it.
Let's go back"
He agreed amiably. 81 ought to get
back early" he said. 81 promised
Kingsland to go over and fish with him
this afternoon so we may not see each
other again. Caesar. isn't this a day
for fishing, thought?
Ruby's cheeks tingled as she walked