The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-09-07

WITH a 6IIOAs
cate in pensiveness. Verify it looked
like a quarrel, and into Johns heart
there stole bit of diabolical joy.
Dick was the first to break the
ominous silence.
.You say that you love me, Edith"
he said hoarsely, land that you do not
cannot love John. Very well. But
you must tell him so too. You are
now bound by your very love to ex-
plain. Now that we know and under
stand we must confess. Deception
must cease"
Eyes, yes, l know" replied Edith,
digging a little more savagely. Then
impulsively she dropped the stick, sat
down beside Dick and put her arms
around his neck HE is your broth
err" she said feelingly, "and, oh, how
| do hate to pain him. But l will tell
him, only l want to break it gently.
know he half expects What is that
| noiseY
Nothing, nothing" broke in Dick
impatiently.
| But that noise was something. 1t
was John wriggling through the
hedges. He had heard enough--too
much-already. Would he never get
out Of that shrubbery?
Once clear of the spot he threw him
self on the grass. For time he could
not think. Before his eyes there
legged and ambled a dizzy wort-.
But bit by bit the mental chaos eked
itself out and there remained only the
sickening realization.
This, then, was the truth. She did
not care for him after all. 1t was Dick
| she loved. and Dick alone could make
her happy But, then, he could do
little. too, in making her happy. He
might go away and save her the pain
of telling, of breaking it to him. That
would bring a little joy anyway. Or
course she would never know, but
what did it matter? Would he not
carry in his heart the conviction that
| he had done something for her-that,
after all, he had not loved in vain?
Yes. there would be that conscious
ness. He told himself so again and
again and that he would go away.
| But where?
To the Philippines. There was some
| fighting there. and Uncle Sam was call
ing for volunteers. He would answer
I the summons: he would serve his coun-
try and serve his love.
He babe adieu to Iron Grove. His
gaze wandered to the little spot, his
elysium, once An ache stole into his
heart. and lump rose in his throat,
but he fought it bravely and turned
away.
Within two hours he was back in the
city and in the recruiting office. The
examination he passed with ease. But
his luck did not stop at that He was
told that duty began on the morrow
few weeks in the eastern barracks
and then the Philippines!
That night he dreamed OF fighting In
the tropics. And then came visions OF
the dear fatherland and Of Edith. De
lirious, kneeling, his arms outstretched,
he beckoned her to come across the
waters. He called her by namei he
called and called, and in his voice there
was the wall Of broken heart.
In the morning there were a Few
more things to pack. With alacrity ne
proceeded to jam these into the trunk.
While he was thus engaged Dick en-
tered the room.
81 suppose you have already heard"
said John, Juggling hard at the strap.
1--WE enlisted"
"Enlistedr' exclaimed Dick, his eyes
starting from their sockets.
"Yes. You see, Dick, one Of us ought
to go. Besides, I'm getting tired OF
hanging around home. l want to 60
out and see a little of the world"
"But, II thought you caredT ven
tured Dick
Cared what?" snapped John, almost
angrily.
Dick said nothing, but Redeemed all
over.
81 never cared-neverT John gave
the brazen lie with such vehemence
that something like an incubus toppled
of Dicks breast.
'But you can do me favor, Dick
You can bid her goodby for me. You
see, I'll hardly have time, for the