The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-02-07

the unmarried and the married as well
are not as with people less preten-
tious. Either the courtships of the
boys and girls attract little attention
or they precede marriages of conven-
fence. Now and again some married
woman will make an incursion upon
the domain of the girls and carry off
an eligible young man, gaining moth
ing for herself and robbing the girls.
There was married woman of mid
die age living at Pennington, a Mrs.
Edwards, nearly forty and much given
to the society of men younger than
herself. She was not popular with the
women, but so long as she could mo-
nopolize their husbands, brothers and
lovers she was Indifferent to their
opinion of her. This woman had re-
solved to make Charlie Erwin her cav
aIier when Archie Worth went abroad
and left his wife In Charles care.
One night or, rather, morning, Char
lie Erwin went to bed conscious of be-
ing the central figure of peculiar
situation. During the evening Mrs. Ed
wards had shown plainly that she
proposed to monopolize him, and Mrs.
Worth, the wife Of his friend, who
had left her in his charge, had indi-
Gated that she had been overwhelmed
by one of those mad passions for him
which will lead woman to wreck
herself for the man she loves.
Had Erwin been lightweight man
either Intellectually or morally per-
haps he might have been flattered that
two women should have singled him
out for the bestowal of their favors.
But he was a man of character and
with high sense of honor. He knew
women well and felt assured that,
while Mrs. Edwards interest in him
was the satisfaction of appropriating
him to herself, Winifred Worth had
really become infatuated with him.
The situation was most dangerous for
him and Winifred, for not only had
Winifred's infatuation made her reck-
less. but Mrs. Edwards would doubt
less be ON the watch for some slip
which she might turn to account
against her rival
After thinking the matter over Err
win decided that there was no safety
for him except in fight. True, the
leaving behind of two women who
were at swords points about him-he
not being on hand to repress either
was fraught with danger, but less dan
gerous than to remain. Besides. fight
would put him personally in a better
position in case the affair came out
But in order to leave matters in al
good shape as possible he went to til,
vicious one of the two and. assuring
her of his devotion to her, told hel
that it was necessary for him to e.
away for a time on business.
1 have said that Charlie Erwin knew
women. He certainly didn't know
Mrs. Edwards or he would not have
counted upon her, even in this Sigh
respect. She conveyed the news Of
Erwin's proposed flight to her riva
and, knowing that Winifred would
see Erwin and endeavor TO keep him
lay in wait for the couple with view
to surprising them and thus getting
Winifred in her power.
Having maid who was quite brigh'
in observing peoples nations. Mrs
Edwards instructed her to shadow Err
win and report If he visited Ter rival
At 5 O'clock on the afternoon Erwin
was to depart the maid telephoned hel
mistress that he had gone to Mrs
Worth's home. Mrs. Edwards Wen
there Immediately. entered withou
ringing and found Charlie and Wini
fred in the library, Winifred in tears.
Mrs Edwards, having made the two
aware of her presence, said that she
had called and. not getting a reply tt
her ring, had ventured in. Then she
withdrew.
Erwin saw at once that he had made
a mistake in informing Mrs. Edward:
Of his proposed departure. He fell
that he and Winifred Worth were al
much In her power as If she had had 6
dozen witnesses to the scene she hai
come upon, for a married woman mus
be above suspicion. He abandoned hi;
plan Of going away, feeling 1t neces
sary for him to remain and. If posi-
BILE, scotch the viper who he was con
Yinced had determined to put her poi