The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-07-18

oAhO10AAN0 IL AhBE AELOAVs
generous, impulsive man with an alb
normal sense of honor. He had FIVE
sons and one daughter. In such cases
the daughter is the virtual sovereign
of the family. Anita LIE Grand ruled
first her father and then every one that
her father ruled. She was In every
respect a chip of the old block, So
tender hearted was she that she found
herself in perpetual state of char
table bankruptcy.
The time came when this defect. II
it may be called a defect, In Miss LIE
Grand's character was bound to show
itself in her choice Of a husband When
she was sixteen 1t was said of her
that she would soon make some young
man very happy or very miserable.
When she was seventeen she was max
ing several young men both happy
and miserable When she was eight
cen every gentleman. bachelor was her
sutton, and at nineteen she was in
extricably involved with half dozen
applicants for her hand.
Wont you try to love meY one of
these suitors would plead.
Eyes; I'll try"
He went away happy, and another
took his place.
IF you don't love me my life will be
wrecked"
"Oh. don't talk like that. III do the
best ! cam
"If you won't be NINE" said third,
Il shall go home and bullet will end
ALL"
"oh, dear. Give me time to think
about it."
Since every one Of these suitors went
away magnifying his chances and each
came eventually to look upon himself
as the favored one. 1t was not long
before Miss lie Grand was in a state
of encouragement to each one of
these young men. Indeed. she saw her.
self on the brink of state Of betroth-
al bankruptcy similar to those chart
table crises over which her father had
often tided her. But unfortunately for
her the kind man could not save her
from a multiplicity of suitors. True,
since she went to him for succor in all
her necessities. she laid this betrothaI
middle before him. The colonel took
the matter under advisement. Anita
gave him list of the young men who
claimed that she had encouraged them,
though there was really no more en-
enlargement than Is to be found in the
ohovo nanod socno.,cas N thoir ,,Iood.
ings. The list embraced the most de-
sirable parts among the neighboring
plantations.
"Whatr7 said Colonel LIE Grand to
himself. Albert, the son Of my old
friend Wharton. My little girl could
not do better If she is pledged to
him she must keep her word. His
father is the soul of honor, and my
daughter must be scrupulously honor
able with his son. Young Fitz-War-
rem. the sole heir to one of the finest
plantations in the south. Rutledgel
Winterton! All fine fellows Every
man an honorable gentleman. But
here's one I'm not so certain about.
Dick Abercrombie. Too much gun
powder In him. He's fought two duels.
True, by one OF them he got rid Of
fellow who was trying to ruin his
younger brother by gambling. / would
not mind him If it weren't that be will
surely get himself killed In some fash
ion and leave my little girl a widow.
They call him Mad Dick Abercrombie,
and he's well named. No, he won't
do at all. Still. he must be treated
honorably."
The colOnels next move was to call
mis- daughter into his office room ana
question her as to her feelings toward
these individuals. He began at the
top of the list.
"Have you given your word to Bert
Wharton, my darlingr
Il don't know"
do you love him?''
Il think | might If l tried"
How about Fitz-W arrenT
Il think might love him a little
too"
you mean you might love him ex-
clusivelyY
YES"
''Then there are Rutledge, winterton
and Abercrombie. l have no objection
to any Of them except Abercronbie"
To this there was no reply.
"Abercrombie came very nearly kill
ing himself riding his bay gelding in
the races last season, and he might
have been shot by that villain he in
sisted on fighting II it hadn't been for
his luck. These reckless fellows all
seem to be protected by the ghosts of
their mammies or some other guard
ian. We must count Abercrombie out"
Yes, papa"
Il hope you haven't pledged yourself
to him in any way"
mot any more than the others."
HIN! Not any more. Have you
given him as much encouragement as
the others?''
"Just about"
The colonel knit hts brows.
''Well, my daughter" he said after
reflection, 81 fear can't help you In
the matter. l wish / could choose for
you. but that is impossible. Consult
your own heart and
''All right. papa. I'll find some way
out Of 1t. Don't worry"
She kissed him atfectionately and de-