The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-04-26
ESTABLISHED 1875

rroduce Mr.. MulIin-Mr. Alderman
Mullin of the Seventh ward"
Then Larry disappeared, and Anna
found herself permitting Mr. MulIin
to scrawl his name against the next
vacant space on her dance card, which
proved to be the one she was sitting
out, and so presently she was whirling
about in the stiff embrace of Mr. Al
derman Mullin, who growled a few
sentences above her head. stepped ON
her pretty green shod toes without
apologizing and finally left her breath
lessly sitting on a divan in a corner
far distant from her little group of
friends
She was glad of the respite to think
over the startling situation. If this
gentleman was Alderman Mullin, the
father Of James. the unruly, who, then
was the gentleman who had impel
sonated the alderman and made him
self responsible for the behavior of
James?
Across the room a couple revolved
stif1y in the CREATIONS of a waltz;
Anna recognized the burly form Of the
now familiar Mr.. Mullin and also that
Of the lady she had known as Jimmy's
mother. AS for the other man-her
face grew hot with indignation, and
she looked lovelier than ever when
Larry found her out He had another
man with him this time
"Mr. Alderman Mullins cousin, sis
another Mullin and a gentle knight
good friend of my own George, my
sister, Miss Deganr'
Larry left the two facing each other
in the quiet corner, the man, resplen-
dent in green and white satin and gold,
looking tenderly down on the young
girl in green and gold
Miss began looked him squarely In
the face and with contemptuous shrug
turned away. but he caught her little
gloved hand in his own with a swift
gesture.
wait, please" he said gravely. and
Miss began waited for his explanation.
1t came after a little while. haltingIy,
as from man who is not accustomed
to explain his actions:
when a little lad is afraid of his
father, Miss began, he naturally turns
to some man whom he knows is fond
Of him and will stand by him in trou-
BILE. Jimmy confessed to me this after
noon that he was afraid to take you
to his father-his father would thrash
him, and that is all the good it would
do! So the lad brought you to me and
trusted me to understand the situation
and to stand by him. | didn't get on
to his little game till after you went,
though l understood from his looks he
was In trouble, so let it go, hoping
to see you again and explain matters
to you. had a talk with Jimmy, and
he's going to be good. In fact, I've told
him l shall call at the school every
week and find out what his deport-
ment is. l hope you do not mind, Miss
Degan."
Anna listened to the long speech
with downcast eyes and trembling lips.
She was glad that she had spared jim
my whipping from his stern father
and that this kind hearted cousin had
masqueraded before her as Jimmy's
parent. He had good face, and. after
all, Jimmy would improve and room
No. II might be credit to the grade
after all.
She smiled gratefully up at Mr.
George Mullin and dashed tear from
the corner of her eye. Il am very glad
you did not disillusien me- | was so
tired and cross just then might have
taken Jimmy down to his fathers Of
fee, wherever it is"
Hell be a good boy after this"
promised Jimmy's big cousin as they
glided into waltz. Sweetly. alluring-
ly, came the strains of kathleen Ma
vourneen," and they did not speak
again until it was over. After little
while Mullin asked softly:
"And may come to the school once
a week and look at Jimmy's report,
Miss Degan?''
Annals fingers touched the little
golden harps on her pretty fan and
they seemed to give forth strange,
sweet music-happy music that fell in
cadence with his deep, melodious voice:
Eyes, come" she said demurely. II
think it is very good idea
Jimmy Mullin never could under
stand why, after that. his cousin,
George Mullin, always called him Gu
pid."