The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-07-25
breast of the junior member.

breast of the Junior member.
The lady maintained the same posi-
ton she had taken at the first meeting
with Clarkson, talked about love exist
Ing between the three of them just as
innocently and bore herself just as
circumspectly at the last as at the
first of Damon's absence. The only
difference in her bearing from what he
might expect of his friends wife was
a growing disposition to sensitiveness
with regard to his treatment Of her.
In one respect the intimacy was a sue
cess. No other woman was permitted
to get near enough to Clarkson to en-
danger his single state. AS for the
purity Of the junior. member Of the
firm and her loyalty to the head Of it
there was no question.
Nevertheless before his friend Da-
mon returned CIarkson was In love.
Indeed, the evening before the arrival
Of the man who had permitted this
unique arrangement Mr.. Clarkson
made two statements to the lady. The
first was that he loved her madly,
the second that he proposed to retire
at once from the firm and never see
her again. He then left her with an
expression on her face denoting an in
ternal upheaval, but whether she was
offended with him for making the
avowal he could not tell.
The next day, while Clarkson was
packing trunk preparatory to a long
journey, he received a telephone mes
sage from his friend Field, inviting
him to a meeting of the firm Of Damon,
Pythias & Co. at dinner. Clarkson
tried to beg off. but failed, and, after
numerous excuses which seemed to
surprise and offend his would be host.
at last consented
On his arrival Field took him into
his sanctum and said to him seriously:
Bob, before we dine something
needs to be Strengthened out"
Clarkson shuddered.
Before my departure was struck
by your letter. We both regretted the
separation that must naturally result
between you and me on account of my
marriage, for you know that two bos-
ON friends cannot be the same after
the marriage of one that they were
before. She said the thing to do was
TO bring you into the family. When
asked her how we could do that she
proposed to marry you to her sister
Cynthia She suggested that while we
were on our wedding trip Cynthia
should play with you the farce of Da
mon, Pythias & Co. From what l
hear she played her part we'll, but now
that we have arrived at the climax
she has broken down completely. She
is terror stricken lest you may think
she deliberately set out to catch you,
whereas she really entered upon it for
sport"
When Field began to impart this
knowledge Clarkson was looking at
him like a beast at bay. AS Field pro
ceeded this expression changed to sur
PRISE curiosity, hope, and finally broke
into beautiful smile.
You'll find her in the library" con-
tinued Field. go in and straighten it
all out. You have half an hour before
dinner, and I'm quite sure that's more
than enough"
But do you think"-
Il don't think; know. Well cele-
brate your engagement at dinner. I've
ordered the wine on Ice"
Clarkson went into the library and
in exactly forty minutes emerged with
the blushing Cynthia. the smile on
Clarkson's. face having broadened to
radiant joy.
"Oniy ten minutes late" cried Field
merrily. Bob. this Is the real Mrs.
Field. Come on; the dinners waiting,
and the wine is icy cold"
When the quartet were seated at
the table and all had been served the
host took bottle Of champagne from
cooler beside him and, cutting the
cord that held the cork. fred salute
in honor of the newly engaged couple
Then. filing all the glasses. he raised
his own to his lips and gave the fol
lowing toast:
ITO the Damon & Pythias company"
Limited" suggested Clarkson.
Not much" retorted Field.
'"There'n be no more capital intro
duced"
THAT may be-" said Field with an
idiotic grin, "but think Of the divi-
dends."