The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-03-14

but what you've done good turn for
some time or other. You've forgotten
'em, suppose, but folks haven't!
They like to see you around, and If
you wasn't so bashful you'd be the
most popular man In the village, not
even excepting the postmaster. Eth,
Maria?"
"Of course he would You look so
stern. Joel. that 1t seems to some folks
that you're a stony pillar Of the church
lin deed as well as namev' Mrs
Spinning laughed heartily, while Joel
smiled in a surprised manner.
me bashful?" he stammered- "Why,
l never thought about that. l guess
thought folks wasn't cordial enough
when they thought wasn't"
you've got to meet folks half way
in everything. 'Taint fair to expect
some to do all the being pleasant and
sociable. Well, Maria, I'll go on that
errand If Joel will excuse me. See
you laterr, With that the deacon dis
appeared, and Joel helped Mrs. Spin
ming clear away the dishes.
do you recollect my niece, Char
lotte Wayland?' she asked as she STEP
ped into the front parlor and lighted
the prism hung lamp on the center
table. "She was visiting me ten years
ago"
Joel flushed holly. Indeed, he did
remember the pretty girl at whom he
scarcely dared glance In church, yet
to whom he had irrevocably lost his
heart. Much Of the silence and lone
Illness of the past ten years might be
laid at the door of his heartsickness
after pretty Charlotte had returned to
her distant home He heard after
| ward that she had married.
II remember" he said family.
She's in Little River Come to
visit my sister. Charlotte's a widow
and as pretty one as 1 ever saw.
declare, it don't seem proper for a
widow to be quite so good looking as
our Charlotte" Mrs Spinning smiled
innocently as she thrust a photograph
| into JoePs hand That's Charlotte.
She's coming around tonight, and
| you'll have to see her home"
| At that instant the bell rang clamor-
ously, and. with a slight chuckle of
delight. Mrs. Spinning FASTENED to an
swer 1t, while Joel devoured the pic
ture with his eyes, now hopeful, no
longer shy or diffldent Their depths
contained new purpose, a new light,
new courage. Here was something
to fight for and win-Charlotte Way
land that wasl
The door opened, and into the room
streamed a merry crowd Of men, wo-
men and children. All the folks in
Little River seemed gathered together
under Deacon Spinning's hospitable
roof. Surprise, Joel TykesburyT'
they cried In unison as they crowded
around him
In that brief moment of excitement
of meeting oil these old acquaintance
in this genial atmosphere they drop
ped the old guise and became friends.
Joel swallowed sob as he realized
that they had gathered to say goodby
to him, to say how sorry they were
him a sender and to say to him that
every latchstring in Little River was
always out for Joel Tykesbury.
That was the beginning of the hap
| piest evening Joel had ever known.
Before 1t ended he had forever drop
| ped his cloak Of reserve, and he found
that his fellow townsmen met him
more than half way A strange new
joy sang in his heart, for the widowed
Charlotte had blushed beautifully
when their eyes met and he had ask
ed the pleasure of her company home
and been accepted All at once his
plans changed with lightning rapidity
He would remain in Little River he
would build the house, and Charlotte
he would win her! He was glad that
his inheritance was still secret.
Joel Tykesbury seems to have
found his tongue at last" said Miss
Fanny Pollard rather acidly Seems
like he's all took up over that Eighty
widow. / guess Maria Spinning
knew what she was talking about
when she said he was going to marry
a widow"
Mrs. Spinning overheard the remark
and smiled mirthfully. Il didn't know
a thing, Fanny. Charlottes coming
now was dispensation Of provi-
dence."
| "Dispensation of providence, assist.
ed by Maria Spinning!" shifted Miss
Pollard, quite unconvinced.