The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-03-22

happiest day of his life for that very
evening he had asked Margaret to
marry him, and she had consented. BY
contrast today would be the bitterest
he would ever know.
He strobe down the street, admired
by many feminine eyes and quite I'M
conscious of anything except the event
that would occur at 8 o'clock. A little
past that hour the parade would march
down the avenue past the very portals
whence Margaret would emerge chang
ed in name forever
Trumpets blared, drums ratified, flies
rippled as the several bands of music
fell into place There were hoarse
commands, the shuttle of countless feet
on the pavements; shrill cries from the
throngs gathered about. and the pa
rade started
AS they neared St Francis granite
bulk Matthews heart almost stood
still. He prayed hard that he might
be spared the sight Of Margaret's we'd
ding party emerging from the church.
The uniforms Of the men. white and
green and gold, with splendid sashes
Of emerald satin fringed with gold,
made ribbon of color down the broad
avenue. Matthew was in the outer
column, his face like ashes, his mouth
set in grim line of despair and his
feet mechanically moving to the
strains of the "Wearin' Of the Green"
Then, just before they reached the
church, he saw them-saw Corners
red head and girls figure beside him,
saw them run down the steps and en-
ter carriage on the cross street and
roll away, while Tom Devlin waved
a jovial farewell before he turned to
watch the paraders.
Matthew's face had turned to watch
the bridal pair enter the carriage
When he faced front once more his
startled, un ,elieving eyes saw Mar
garet Devlin herself Margaret in green
broadcloth with a great bunch Of
shamrock at her waist waving green
satin flag at-him!
Tom Devlin and his daughter follow
ed close in the wake of the Faithful
Sons Of St. Patrick that day. Mat
thew saw them at the most unexpect-
ed corners, always smiling and waving
their flags at him. He began to feel
like one of the family again and to
realize that there was a blunder some
where-a mistake for which he might
be devoutly thankful, for it was evil
dent that Corners had married some
body. and Matthew did not care who it
Devlin.
When the parade was over Tom and
Margaret were on hand to escort Mat
thew home. He entered the big tour
ing car that sprang from somewhere
and found himself between Margaret
and her father. The girls cheeks were
flushed, and her blue eyes evaded Mat
thew's questioning glance.
Once at the familiar house in Sew
enty-fifth street Tom Devlln disappear
ed and left the two together.
Margaret, dear"-Matthew was be-
side her instantly-"Pve been jeal-
GUS fool. Tell me the mystery. Did
yOu mdLIy SOuAlCES VI Wndl!
"Of course l married Tom Corners.
That's why let another girl go off
with him." Knocked Margaret, and then
suddenly her blue eyes filed with tears
and her head found its place on his
broad shoulder. IF you'd had little
more faith in me. Matthew" she said,
you would have been happier your
self and made 1t easier for me to do
good deed
you'll have to explain. dear. Pm
all at sea-" he pleaded.
Corners has been engaged to Agnes
Lee for year. and he hasn't had
chance to show what he can do. He
needed to get out one successful draw
ing and then he could have all the
orders he wanted. Till then he had
to starve. and Agnes had to wait and
wait for the home she wanted. You
know Agnes is skin and bone and
homely, and I'm not So ! went to
Corners and suggested the picture
you saw on the magazine cover.
wanted to help them, that's all. He
sold the drawing. got another and lar
ger order, and when the magazine
came out father and | bought up all
the copies we could, and they got out
a second edition. What do you think
Of that? OF course Tom Corners Is
fixed now-they've recognized what
he could do. didn't really want my
face on a magazine cover, Mat, but
had to help them out. They love
each other just as we do. Father and
got them married and off on their
honeymoon. and now, Matthew Gold
en-, were you ever happier than you
are this minuteY' she asked saucily.
EYES," replied Matthew solemnly,
II was happier when l looked up and
saw you standing on the curbstone
waving your flag at me, darling.
shall never forget the change from
despair to happiness, and l have one
thing to say"
what is that, Mat?" she asked,
with softly luminous eyes near his
own.
'That you may forgive me for be-
ing a jealous fool and spelling the
sweet deed you were doing and that
all my life, when I'm on the line of
march and meet troubles and sorrows.
can always look up as I did today
and see your sweet face smiling on
me; that's all.' said Matthew huskily.