The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-12-13

| The doOrbell rang sharply, and Eva
lima dropped the rolling pin and open
ed the side door.
A man stood in the porch, his hat in
banda good looking man of forty,
perhaps, with nice smile and a well
shaped head Evalina liked a man to
have a well shaped head, and she
rather liked the looks Of this man.
When he spoke she liked the deep
mellow tones of his voice.
II am looking for Miss Ward" he
said pleasantly. SIS she ut homer"
Il am Miss Ward.' acknowledged
Evalina, smiling.
II was told Miss Ward could supply
me with some homemade bread"
II have wheat, rye and graham"
Evalina opened glass case that rest
ed on side table and from its depths
drew forth crisp golden loaf
"I'll take one of EACH" he declared
Just then there came a querulous
voice from room beyond the kitchen.
"Evalina, who are you talking to-?
You amt got any beaus out there.
have your
The girl flushed brightly. and a
strange air Of reserve settled over. her
lovely face 1T is my Great-aunt Har-
riet. She is very old and somewhat
peculiar. hope you will not mind
what she said"
'Evalina! That's Tom Taylor's voice.
What's he dom here?' Aunt Harriets
voice shrilled through The rooms.
The man let himself out the door
while Evalina FASTENED to the side of
bedridden Aunt Harriet
whats Tom Taylor doing hereT
asked the old woman peevishly.,
sit wasn't Tom, Aunt Harriet; it
was a stranger" explained the girl
with sweet patience.
what you going to give me for sup
PERI" With EYalina's help she sat up
while the girl brushed back her scanty
gray locks and Strengthened the bed
clothes.
"Creamed toast and peaches, some of
my fresh jumbles and a cup of tea"
Sounds dreadful good, Evalina
expect I'm mighty cross to you some
times. You've got the patience of an
angel, for you amt never cross" Aunt
Harriet stretched forth a bony hand
and caressed the girls bright hair.
Evalina bent and kissed her softly.
''Too bad | can't be nice to you, Aunt
Harriet. You're all I've got in the
world
''I'm a poor critter," lamented Aunt
Harriet-''nof worth my salt. You're
killing yourself baking and brewing
there to make living for US both.
wish you'd get married. Evalina."
Maybe shall marry millionaire"
laughed Eyalina as she went busily to
and fro, You would like that, aunt,
for shouldn't do any more baking.
Wouldn't that be perfectly lovelyP You
might ride in an automobile How
would you like thatT'
II wouldn't like 1t a mite,' said Aunt
Harriet grimly. I'D say to the driver.
You can take me right up to the
graveyard now; I'm bound to get there
II go riding in an automobile, and
so If there was an accident I'd be
right handy to the Ward plot There,
Evalina. that supper does smell real
tasty. It's shame you don't get mar
ried. You are a splendid cook, and
some good man would appreciate you
AUNT Harriet, | believe you might
operate matrimonial bureau, only
please don't practice on me. Pm too
busy to get married"
Evalina hurried away to attend to
her baking. which by series Of acct
dents had been delayed until the late
afternoon. AS she hustled to and fro.
putting things to rights. clearing away
the disorder of -four and other ingre-
dents, she passed small mirror hang
ing on the wall.
Dear meT murmured Evalina. II
wonder If that smudge of -four was on
my forehead when he was in here. l
hope not"
"Evalina. do come and set me right!"
called the old lady. 1--WE eat my sup
per and spilled the tea, and want to,
go to sleep
When Evalina had cleared away the
supper things and Aunt Harriet had
been tucked under the covers Evalina
sat a long time over her own meal.
with soft brown eyes dreamily fixed on
the glowing square of the stove door
Every day thereafter the strange.
man called at Evalina's house and
bought some product OF her baking
One day several weeks after the
strangers first visit Aunt Harriet was
left alone in the house while Evalina
went to nearby town to order sup
plies. Late In the afternoon there
came knock at the sitting room door
"Who is itY' demanded Aunt Har-
riet shrilly.
II would like some bread, please"
came the meek voice of the stranger.
'The keys under the mat" called
Aunt Harriet eagerly. Come right
in"
When the door had opened and clos
ed and she knew the stranger was In
the sitting room Aunt Harriet called
again: "Evalina's gone to the store.
If you want bread you can take il
from the case and leave the money on
the table. Be you Tom TaylorT
mo, I'm not Mr.. Taylor / merely
called for some bread. I'll help my
self with your permission" came the
genial tones in reply.
"Will you please come here mo-
mentY' Aunt Harriet spoke rather
timidly for a woman Of her foreible
character.
Certainly, if you wish" In an in
slant he was filling the bedroom door
way and looking down at Aunt Har-
riets eager old face. What car do
for your" he asked kindly
" wanted to see you. like your
voice." said Aunt Harriet, with sud
den decision. What did you say
your name wasp she asked shreWdly.
The stranger smiled broadly. II
didn't say, but am DIR. Massen, the
new physician in town.
"Dr. Massen," repeated Aunt lHar-
riet slowly, as if she enjoyed the
sound of the words. "Are you mar
ried, young MANI"
mo, | am not" he laughed lightly.
Drink" asked Aunt Harriet brisk
ly.
''Never."
Smoker
Eyes, and enjoy it too"