The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-06-21
By AGNES G. BRoGAN.

manager, went in his automobile to
investigate the temper Of the strikers.
He was received by hooting crowd
A giant Italian raised stone and held
1t poised high above his head.
Throw it, Andreap screamed the
voices. and then down the steps Of q
tenement building came a flying fig
urea girl whose dusky hair fell about
her face as she ran.
Andrea" she called breathlessly
remember Nickola"
Unquestioningly the men made way
for her as she rushed through the
crowd and leaped into the automobile
then stood directly before the man
whose life was threatened, protecting
him with one small outstretched hand
"Waitw she cried. "Waitw And then
1t seemed to Vaughn that a miracle
happened, for the desperate mob in
stantly obeyed her imperious call and
by common impulse moved farther
back into the roadway. leaving "a clear
path before.
Andrea" the girl repeated sobbing.
ly, "oh, Andrear' And in silence the
giant replaced his stone and followed
the others.
As she stood painting. one hand
pressed closely against her heart. the
picture was indelibly stamped upon
Vaughn's memory-the small white
face with its great dark eyes,
Down the rickety stairway. clatter-
ing upon his crutches. hobbled a Grip
pied Italian boy. "Antonap' he wall
ed. "Antona"
The girls face was transformed by a
loving smile IT'S all right, Nickola,' .
she called reassuringly. 81 will be
with you soon.''
"And now she asked of the waiting
men. will you let us go? This person
is here for your good. Can you moi
trust Antona"
As though in answer the crowd qui
city dispersed. and she turned tc
Vaughn. Il am going TO ride with you
until you have passed through the dan
gerous section" she said Start al
once. for their moods change quickly
The factories and houses had been
left behind when the girl again spoke
you will be quite safe now" she told
him. Let me get out. please. / must
go back"
Vaughn stopped the machine at her
bidding and bent over to look into her
eyes. Il am inexpressibly grateful
he said, "for the great service you
have done me. while | marvel at the
power you hold over those desperate
men,
Il love them and do things for them
ALL" she answered simply. land down
here In this part of the wArld we repay
our kindnesses just as truly as we re
venge our wrongs"
"You say 'we." the man interposed
quickly. but you are very different
from the Others"
THAT is only because have had the
schooling and training which they
u.
thought and feeling | am still a wo-
man Of the people and sooner or later,
as you have learned. demand payment
for my kind deeds. What reward shall
claim from you. Mr. vaughny
81 am eager to show my gratitude
he replied.
She stood up before him, and her
glowing color deepened. IF you are
sincere in that" she said quietly, then
end the strike at once"
The man looked up in 1ismay at
this unexpected request. you ask an
impossibility." be said CURLY. 81 am
but the junior member of the company,
and even If ! were willing to yi;'id to
the unreasonable demand OF the lien
whose cause you champion there ar
others Ill foytr higher than myself"
The girl spoke in low, passionate
tone. "You and both know" she
said. "that they will do exactly as You
advise. All has been left to your judg
ment. Your agents. or whatever they
may be called. have not been giving
you correct information regarding the
origin of this strike This time the
workman's cause is just. and will
tell few truths whic Il 1t will be well
for you to know"
Vaughn sat fascinated. watching hel
flashing eyes and impulsive gestures
as she eloquently portrayed the mis-
cry and poverty in the lives of the
men who had threatened him 50 short
time ago. Tears filed the girls
eyes. "And there is Nickola." she
continued. 1T was his father who
would have crushed you with that
great stone today. His temper when
aroused is terrible. In a fit of rage he
threw the baby Niekola downstairs
and that is why he must walk Oh
clutches always. Since then Andrea's
life has been one long effort to make
amends to the boy. and because try
to make Nickola happier there is moth
ing l may ask Of Andrea that he will
not do When NickoIa is in wan
then the father turns savage and cruel
Many nights since the strike begar
has the boy slept and wakened hun
CRY. for one must plan cleverly indeed
to thrust charity upon these two stub
born people. oh. promise me-" she
said TREMENDOUSLY. that this strike may
end"
Her voice thrilled him strangely
"You do not undersi and" Vaughn SAID
gently, "all that is involved We have
a principle to maintain The demand
for increased wages is Of no conse-
quence."
"Then," she answered breathlessly,
"if the men go back to work, appar-
emily agreeing to all your conditions,
will you later pay them what they
have asked Of you"
Vaughn smiled. I'VE would willing
ly comply with that peculiar arrange
ment, Miss Antona," he replied, but
these people of yours have refused any
compromise"
The girl stepped down into the road
way and shook her head in mock de-
spair 1.-THE men would be much more
easily Influenced than yourself. Mr..
Vaughn" she said. and then be gave
the desired promise and regretfully
watched the little figure until bend
In the road hid her from his view.
The next day. without explanation or
mention of any agreement. came the
surprising news that the workmen had
surrendered. and when Vaughn re
turned to his private Office after a
lengthy consultation with the senior
members of the company he found q
very small boy with crutches beneath
his arms standing near the doorway
his mournfuI eyes shining out weirdly
from the thin, wan face. Iva note
for Meester Vaughn" he said, with q
soft Italian accent, from Noes An
tona."