The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-05-31
One Who
Came
II Memorial Day Story
By CLARISSA MACKE.
k**.t**s+t*.t****.t'

She had been looking for him all
through the warm spring, and now,
late in May. she felt that he must
come. Another week would bring the
Both of the month, and Memorial day,
with its tender observance of all the
beloved dead, would come to crush
down her cherished hope of Roberts
return.
Esther looked wistfully across the
pasture, and tears filed her blue eyes
until hillside and pointed cedars were
dark blur.
When she had wiped them away
some one was coming YEARLY down
the narrow path-some one tall and
thin, dressed in dark clothing, with a
gray felt hat on his dropping head
The man did not lift his eyes from
the ground, but tramped steadily on.
with his gaze fixed on the winding
path under his feet. When the path
ceased at the fence he looked up and
saw Esther gazing at him longingly,
lovingly, but there was no recollection
in his glance, merely undisguised won
derment
Esther's radiant smile faded as she
searched the handsome face for some
sign of recognition. 1t was Robert
Webb, paler, thinner and curiously
changed in expression, and yet it was
Robert. A sudden terror filed her
soul.
Robert she cried softly, don't you
know meY"
He stared curiously at her while a
slow red burned into his thin cheeks.
He lifted the gray hat and showed
dark hair streaked plentifully with
white
Il am afraid you have made a mis-
take,' he said in a deep, musical voice
that was like Roberts own tones. "My
name is Robert, but am sure would
have remembered you If we had met
before. / came to see Mr.. Lane.
was directed to take the short cut
across the lots from the station. Is
this his farm?"
Esther shrank back.
CO. lAAo 10 MI A<dhO Q Ill 49,
will find him at the house or barn.
Take the path through the orchard"
With a murmured word of thanks
the man replaced his hat, leaped the
fence and disappeared In the gather
ing twilight of the orchard.
When Esther went into the house
her fair hair was wet with dew, but
her eyes were very bright and shining.
In the sitting room they were all
gathered about the evening lamp. The
light fell on the red table cover and
was reflected in the comfortable fur
nishings of the room. Mr.. Lane was
reading the almanac with an interest
quite undated by a long winters
| persual Of its closely printed pages.
Helen and Agatha were embroidering.
They all glanced up as Esther en-
tered the room, blinking at the light.
You'll catch your death out in the
dampness, child" demonstrated her
mother as Esther sat down in low
rocker beside her. We've been wish
| ing you'd come in and give us a little
| music"
"You promised to practice that duet
with me, Esther" complained Helen.
81 don't see why you want to run
away every night after supper. You
can't guess what's happened since
you've been gone" she added teasing
ly.
The color leaped into Esther's pale
cheeks She struggled for a moment
with her quickening breath before her
words found utterance. what has
happened, Nell?" she asked, with as.
sumed carelessness.
Nothing at ALL" interposed Mrs.
Lane, smiling, except that fathers
tickled to death because he's got some
! one to help him all summer"
'Who is it?' asked Esther.
"a man who came here tonight
| The station master sent him, knowing
your father was put to 1t for help on
the farm. He's young and willing
though he's little out Of health. He's
been soldier, and he wants to have q
summer farming it to get back his
health again."
"And likewise I'LL his pocketbook,
yawned Farmer Lane, stretching him.
self luxuriously. Il guess we'll get
along as well as may be. He's fine
pleasant spoken young chap, but he's
seen a sight of trouble, take it. His
hairs as white as my own. He's com
ing tomorrow"
what is his Manner asked Esther
In a muffied voice.
Robert Munson. Looks like somt
one I've seen before. Can't think who