The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-12-19

lady Laura call her Laura because
that Is one Of my favorite names for
women. | was about to say Margaret,
but that name denotes rather dignity
than intense heart
The gentleman In the next room taps
his bell twice. Laura arises, goes into
his Office and. taking chair beside
his desk, receives his dictation. He
has a number of letters beside him
which be is evidently answering. When
the pile is exhausted Laura goes back
to the anteroom and. placing her steno-
put them In type. | hear nothing, but
Lean imagine the clickety-click Of the
machine.
From the back of the room, where
sits the elderly gentleman. comes a
young man. apparently about twenty
one or twenty-five. He is big, elegant
looking fellow and the image of the
older man-doubtless his son. They are
both handsome men. the younger the
very impersonation Of youthful. manly
beauty. His father looks up at him
with pride as the youngster bends over
him and kisses him. l don't object to
seeing men kiss each other when they
are father and SON Indeed. like It.
There is some talk between the two,
after which the father takes up his
check book with the the usual result
Of conference with loved and low
ing son. The young man thanks him
with pleasant smile. lets his arm
rest q moment lovingly about his
shoulders. then makes an exit by the
door through which be entered But
In moment he reappears In the ante
room. l can see the look on his face
rs ne advances toward Laura. and the
lovelight in his eyes is plain. | cannot
zee her face, for it is turned away
from me.
The young man being my leading
gentleman. must have a name for
him. He Is just the fellow to be call
I'd Dick-good natured, Gevil-may care
Kind hearted and In some respects
tribe reckless. Dick stands chatting
with Laura. looking down upon her
upturned face. Something ne is say
ing evidently requires that he speak
IN low tone, and his face draws near
er and nearer hers till their lips meet
Then he draws back as If shocked at
what he has done. and she burles nel
face In her hands. bending down till
eoe hands rest upon her desk. Dick
w1thdraws to the front of the office
where he is invisible to me. But he
makes some sign to Laura. for, having
raised her head. she makes a gesture
with her hand. something like the
throwing of a kiss
Act u-Dick and his father are In
the fathers Office. Dick pulls up a
chair and begins to talk. His father
listens with growing impotence
scene In which father and son are an
tagonistic. both talking at once. FL
nally Dick arises and makes a last inef-
fective appeal. The father brings his
dst down on the desk, and l fancy
can hear the thump. Dick withdraws
eesticulating.
| watch for him to enter the ante
room He evidently opens the door
without coming in and speaks a few
hurried words to Laura, for / cant
zee him. and by her gestures l know
that she is receiving some unwelcome
message. But it is all over in a mo.
ment She walks back and forth. evi
IDENTITY in great excitement.
The elderly man is also pacing his
own Office floor. evidently much
wrought up. Presently he sits at his
desk, seizes his check book. writes .
check aud takes it into the anteroonA
He saws something to Laura. sh
standing ~.th all the dignity she eau
command. Ler head bent as if receiv
Ing hlaw. He hands her the cheek
ne has written. then turns and goes
back to his office. Laura the momen,
the door between them is closed con
vuisively crnshes the check in her
hand. puts On her cloak and hat and
leaves the room. She Is not seen at
her window again.
Act lIl.-An interval of six mouths.
The old gentleman at his desk He
looks troubled Enter Dick. who goes
to his father and rests bis arm on his
shoulder. looking down upon him pity
fngly. A man comes from the rear
and stands In the center Of the room
reading paper ] can see as far ~,
as his chin. but no farther Having
finished he withdraws. The old man