The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-02-16
Arletta
4
In Paris.
BY F. a. COLLINS.
copyrighted, 1909, by Associated

EN>~<>>~~~~O-~~ IS
The ormolu clock on the mantel in
the pretty drawing room at Auteuil,
near Paris, with windows overlooking
the garden. never slept, although its
mistress, Mrs. Marion Bennings, did
regularly every evening that her son
and herself spent alone.
She was nodding now over ribbon
decorated basket containing some silk
en- hose she had been mending. The
ormolu clock struck IL, and Otto, turn
ing around, pushed a book off to the
floor. The noise awoke Mrs Bennings,
who sat up with start and remarked:
81 am off to bed. What a stupid
evening! l haven't heard you speak
for an hour"
you couldn't" said Otto But as
she stared at him Indignantly he made
haste to add, Because haven't spo
ken for an hour"
Mrs. Bennings got up slowly, and
letter fell from her lap. Otto hasten
ed to pick 1t up.
YOU'D better read it." said his
mother. MY cousin, Harry Jones,
who is tremendously rich, writes that
he is bringing his motherless daughter
to Paris. Her name is Arletta, and l
have heard she is pretty and accom-
plished We must be very nice to
| them, particularly to the daughter.
She Is an only child"
Then I congratulate her. I'm an
only child, too" remarked Otto.
Her husband will be very fortu-
nate. Don't you agree with meT
I'm withhold judgment till see the
young lady" said her son.
| Left alone, Otto resumed the writing
Of his letter, which he was to address
to certain Celeste, and reflected that
probably his mother was already plan
ming to marry him TO Arietta, the
daughter Of the wealthy Mr.. Jones.
But he made bet with himself that
it wouldn't come. of.
Suddenly woman's voice to the ac-
compartment of guitar came through
the open window. 1t was soft, rich,
yet penetrating.
la Mute ecoute ct Sc pencil sur
roreilIe," etc.
"Hellor' said Otto. "a strolling
singer, and good voice too" He
went to the window and called out,
"Qui viveT
ooh, dear" answered a woman's
voice outside, "they told me you spoke
English"
$50 do, after fashion" said Otto
leaning out Of the window. "Do your"
'sWhy, of course do" said the
voice. 'Tm English; at least I'm Amer
lean"
1.-THE deuce you are! What are you
doing in our gardenY
81 wish you would let me come in
and tell you, will your"
"Come in at once. Here, give me
your hand. It's only step"
A pretty girl dressed In Spanish
costume, as If for fancy ball, fol
lowed the hand Her costume was
rich and looked fresh, but she sank
into chair by the window. exclaim-
ing:
"Oh, how good it seems to be able to
sit down again in a chair!'
"Have you walked all the way from
Parish asked Otto.
"From Paris and ever so much far
Their. My shoes are worn to shreds.
See?"
She stretched out tiny foot Slip
per and silken hose were in shreds-
"I've been singing for two days"
said she, land, see, that is all l took
in"-showing him a few sous-"and
I'm SO hungry"
Hungry" cried Otto, dragging for
ward a little table with some cakes
and wine The girl looked at it long
ingly, remarking:
Cake. That's what everybody offers
me, and I'm dying for a-ham sand
wich."
"Tn forage for something more sub
stantial," cried Otto. starting toward
the door.
mot till explain. Wait, please"
said the girl. "Are you an Americana
"You bet am"
"Thank God!' she said. "Then you'll
believe me. I'm not a beggar. I'm in
hard luck. These are all the clothes,
this is all the money, I have. I'm
stranger in Paris. Day before yester-
day arrived here and went to the
Grand hotel to wait for my father.
l had. a maid, half dozen trunks
and a letter of credit On the way
from the Care du Nord my maid ran
away with the trunks and my letter
At the hotel they wouldn't believe me
when / told them who was. hadn't
4 friend In Paris except some relatives
Of my father. whose address is in my
vanished trunks. This masquerade
suit hung in the closet of the hotel.
borrowed it and rented a guitar and
started out to see If l could support
myself. l had read of students in dis
lress doing such things. l thought it
would be lark, but it has been aw-
full And / kept thinking I'd come up
with some nice Americans. I was do
ing my very best, you see"
Otto agreed with her He couldn't
help it, she was so pretty. When he
told her this she permitted him to go
for a sandwich In minute he came
back with some cold chicken and lit
tie biscuits, a small cheese and pot
Of jelly.
"will these things dor he queried
doubtfully.
"Do? Dor" she cried, with delight.
Watch mer
She perched before the tray and be-
gan to eat ravenously. "Tbis chicken
Is divine" she exclaimed. what
nice fellow you are! But can't cat
much I'm too worried"
"Worried?" said Otto. What
about?"
81 guess you'd be worried If you
didn't know where you were going to
sleep tonight"
80 I might" said he, "but where
did you sleep last night?"
'Tn the Pare Monceau."
"In the park? All night?"
Gan night, and there was such
wretch near me-"
'Fm sure there was" said Otto,
hunting through his pockets. Here,
take this money. At least you won't
have to sleep in the park"
"Then can't sleep herer' pouted
the girl. "Yor believe me, of course,
but you have your few little doubts.
My story is so absurd"
II believe every word" said Otto,
'sbut this hotel Is expensive"
I'm take the money" said the girl,
"and as soon as my father comes he
will repay you. You'll tell me your
name. How he will thank you! Oh,