The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-09-10
A Gift of
Flowers
That Were Thrown Out of
a Window
BY F. A. mitchell


Being invited to spend the week end
with my friend Mary Morrison at her
cottage by the sea, was about start
ing from the house when l received a
telegram, as follows:
Tiny will meet you at the station Bring
her along.
l had heard Mary speak Of Tiny
Archibald. who rejoiced In the more
euphonious name of Gwendolin, but
whose baby nickname had stuck to her
through childhood and youth. l had
never seen her, but had been told that
she was a very attractive girl But
how was | to recognize herr Mary
had not told me that she would carry
her handkerchief in her left hand or
that she would wear sprig of gera-
mum in her belt Doubtless she had
spoken Of Miss Archibald to me SO Of
ten that she supposed had met her
| cousin.
| went to the station expecting to find
a young lady on the lookout for some
one she didn't know and in order to
prepare for a little attention bought
some violets. which l carried In my
| hand. l had no sooner entered the
waiting room than l noticed an attrac-
| tive looking woman walking back and
forth, staring at every man she passed
l was sure she was the person | was to
meet. SO | walked up to her, lifted my
| hot VlnIffolxy nd oh - I.
If she was not Miss Archibald when
she gave me meaning look and said
in a quick low voice:
mot word till we are on the train"
! confess l was surprised What
could be the necessity for such mys-
terry since l was simply to escort her
on short journey? However, 1t was
she who was making the mystery, not
l, and 1t behooved me to do as she
said and find out the cause when she
chose to tell me. l relieved her of a
satchel she carried and conducted her
to parlor car. When we were seated
politely handed her the violets. The
day was hot. and a window was open.
What did she do but throw the flowers
out on to a side track.
Never in my life have l been more
astonished at the reception Of a gift.
The expression on my face betrayed
how deeply felt the insult. and the
lady FASTENED to explain. But the ex-
PLANTATION only added to my amaze
ment.
I'VE are observed she said; 1.-The
violets will give us away"
GIVE us away?"
-Yes: Mary knows that you were to
carry violets. and she may have let 1t
out"
MARY knowsl She mentioned moth
ing by which
'Hashl The man opposite is listen
Ing"
OF all the receptions | ever had from
woman this certainly was the most re-
markable. Surely there was something
missing that would have made all this
clear. l have it. Mary has written
me letter that l have not received
In that letter she developed something
In which | am expected to take part
The telegram was supplementary.
II suppose you know where you are
to take me?" said my companion in a
low voice.
II do" replied. retiring within my
self and determined to let the story
proceed without giving away the fact
that the only instructions / had re-
ceived were to take her to Mary Nor
rison's seaside residence
"Will Arthur meet us at the station
or somewhere elseT
This was a point blank question that
1 proposed to parry. 81 have not been
instructed as to that. Doubtless we
shall be advised when we arrive"
Surely
pleasant" l remarked to myself,
"this ease with which | satisfy the
lady. | wonder if III get on as well
with the rest of the questions she asks
me-"
II don't dare continue this any long
err" she said suddenly after looking
through the car suspiciously. 81 will
take another seat"
OnC Olu az sue Sdlu sue WOulu
didn't mind her mysterious actions up
to this point, but now to be deprived
Of the company on which | had count
ed was positively annoying. l thought
l would give up my part in the play.
follow her and ask her what the dick
ems it all meant. l was rising to do so
when she saw me and with knit brows
and commanding look ordered me to
remain where | was.
The train stopped at a station at
which number of persons got on.
happened to look at Miss Archibald |
and noticed that she had pulled thick !
veil down over her face. | didn't think
very much Of this. for the car was full
Of dust Not having any one TO talk
to, lay back and closed my eyes. A
boy selling candies went through the |
train crying his wares. He ceased to
shout at the end Of the car where Miss |
Archibald was sitting, and not long |
afterward felt tap on my shoulder |
Looking up. there was the candy boy |
holding out pasteboard box to me.
Don't want any," said testify.
Lady at other end Of the car sent |
'em to you. sir"
took the box, removed the lid, and |
there on top of some bonbons lay a |
folded bit of white paper Opening it,
/ read:
1.-The gentleman in the white vest |
ana glasses knows me. Should he get |
out at our station don't leave the car |
on any account Go on to the next"
This beats me-" remarked to my
self, reading the note over a second |
time to make sure had read 1t Alright. |
| surveyed the gentleman referred to |
and detected him looking over the top |
of his newspaper at Miss Archibald, as |
If trying TO make out whether er not he |
knew her.
well" said to myself, I'm not |
having the companionship of a young |
lady, but I'm having a lot to think |
about l wonder what he has to do |
with it ALL"
But Miss Archibald kept the veil over
her face. and there was no show for
the man to claim an acquaintance.
which l inferred the play that was
going on wouldn't admit. / had a no
ton to go and sit by him and engage |
him In conversation. with a view to
pumping him. but on second thought |
desisted
Presently. the train slowing up at
station. l saw Tiny glance through /
the window, give her hand quick lit
tie shake at some one outside, then
look meaningly at me and gather her
belongings as If to leave the train.
followed suit. She came past where
waa citing and whianarad. sTt,s oil |