The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-11-28

'My mother and sister will be in
presently said Harry as they sat
down before the fire You know, we
keep no servant. and they are putting
the finishing touches to the dinner
I'm afraid have made extra work
for them" said Jack regretfully, but
Harry Clifton treasured him, and
soon the two became deeply interested
in small model Of a new invention
that was then stirring the world.
'The father Of a friend of mine In
vented that.f observed Jack as he
turned the model over
do you know Silas Manson?'' ask
ed Harry in surprise.
why. yes. His son and 1 were
classmates.
"Silas Manson is my uncle. Jerry is
our own cousin. He is dining with us
tonight" said Harry.
well, by love. but I'm gladr' cried
Jack, concealing his surprise at the
newly discovered relationship. Il
heard that Jerry was dining down on
the Bleak road and would sail for
Scotland tomorrow morning. was
disappointed not to see him."
Hes going to dine here first and go
down with his friends at o'clock
said Harry; then. rising. he added. "Ah.
that is his ring now!" Excusing him
self. he left the room to return with
Jerry Manson.
The two college friends greeted each
other joyfully. and there was a half
hour Of excited talk before dinner was
announced.
Presently Mrs. Clifton appeared, a
small. delicate looking little lady with
snow white hair and brown eyes. Jack
billiard bowed low over her little hand.
stained as 1t was with preparations
for the Thanksgiving feast. She was
as gracious and self possessed as his
own mother. whose fingers had never
prepared meal in her life
I'VE are rather old fashioned people,
Mr.. billiard" she said I'VE cling to
old family customs, and we do like
to observe our festivals at home. A
Thanksgiving dinner eaten In a fash
ionable restaurant never tastes quite
so good TO me-
Il feel sure that this is going to
mark an era in festivals with me-"
smiled Jack. and then he stopped short
and was guilty of staring.
He had been seated facing an old
fashioned pier glass between the front
windows. and now he saw reflected
in its depths the form of his brown
eyed girl-the girl he had seen twice,
the girl he had dreamed about II
was too wonderful to be true, and yet
it must he true. for Harry and Man
son had arisen. and Jack found him.
self on his feet and turning to be in
troduced TO Alice Clifton. When their
eyes met he was sure there was
CLEAN Of recognition in their brown
depths.
Alice Clifton was wearing pale pink
frock, and pink was undoubtedly her
color. II flushed her delicately until
she looked like sweet pink rose.
ITO think of what | might have
missed If ] had thrown over Harry's
invitation" said JACK to himself, as
they went in to dinner and he found
himself facing Alice Clifton ITO
think of what ] would have missed II
l had not come tonight It's all too
wonderful for anything-to have old
Manson here tooi''
1t was a delicious dinner and was
marked by much fun and merriment.
From the very beginning Jack billiard
had no eyes for any one but lovely
Alice Clifton. He was afraid that this
might be delightful dream from
which he would awaken to find her
vanished from his eight as had hap
pened before.
1t was late when he left the Cliff
tons home and at the foot of the steps
he paused and looked up at the sky,
which had now cleared. The stars
shone brightly down and moon hung
high in the heavens.
Jack billiard had never been a re-
ligious youth. but now his heart was
so full Of JOY and gratitude at the hap
penings of the eventful day that a
new understanding of things came to
him and remained with him ever after.
He looked up at the sky and his
eyes seemed to pierce beyond the
stars. For meeting her--for all these
things : for everything thanksr' he
said solemnly and went on his way.