The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-04-16

Jim Fenton's confession and was pre-
pared to tell him few minutes later,
when she found him moodily alone,
that Agatha's heart and hand were al
ready disposed of. Angered at Agatha's
apparent deception, Fenton had flung
himself away and betaken himself
his home in Chicago without one W d
Of explanation between them.
So here was Agatha Waite riding
over an unknown prairie In the most
unexpected manner. Surely her new
existence was beginning with adven-
lures.
What made it more Of real adven-
ture and indeed lifted it into the
realms of actual romance was the fact
that the large, lean, brown man with
the sparkling blue eyes was none 9TH
er than Jim Fenton himself
What was he doing here In the far
west? He had spoken Of his mother
was 1t his mother that she was to
meet in short time, the mother Of
whom he had spoken SO often in those
brief bllssful days Of woolng, when
she had not realized it was love that
was at last creating a new world for
her? His sudden disappearance the
day after his declaration of love was
a horrible mystery to her She shud-
dered now whenever she thought of
the days and nights of agony that fol-
lowed. She had herself well In hand
now, she told herself rather triumph
antly. She could treat him as dis
family and coldly as a stranger, as his
conduct deserved. Nevertheless she
wondered what had made the lines of
suffering about his lips. They had not
been there before.
Suddenly he spoke, and his voice
smote the heavy silence like a deep
toned bell
1--WE sha'n't get home till just after
sunset"
"Yes," she returned in a strained
voice.
Il suppose suppose Sir Robert win
be anxious about your absence. If you
like, l can drive over to the telegraph
office at Piedmont and send a message
for you" His calm, even tones did
NOT falter as he thus acknowledged
their former acquaintance.
Agatha, whose eyes had been fixed
on the sun dropping behind a bank Of
blue black clouds, turned toward him
and spoke with genuine surprise.
Sir Roberto she repeated haugh-
tily.
Il understood your aunt, Mrs. Nor
gan Waite, to say that-that-yo were
to marry the Englishman," said Fem
ton slowly. Perhaps am premature
In assuming that 1t has already hap
pened."
"You are premature indeed" Aga
tha's voice shook with realization Of
what had happened to blight her ro-
nance. II have never entertained the
idea Of marrying Sir Robert-or any
one" She looked away with quivering
lips. The sun had set now and the
prairie was dimming with an early
twilight Away in the distance twin
kled the lights of a ranchhouse. They
neared it rapidly as the man sank into
silence.
AT last ne spoke again, this time
sternly.
Then your aunt-lied to meY' he
asked.
YES" returned Agatha, with str
lips.
"And I-you-Agatha; what have you
thought of me to leave you without
explanation"
What could thinkT' pleaded Aga
tina, conscious that his hand was coy
ering both of hers
He uttered an exclamation Of pity.
please tell me if you will, how you
came to be shere?" he asked after
awhile
She told him in few words. In re-
turn he said that he had long owned
this ranch and feeling the desire for
change for his mother and himself he
had brought her out here where the
free, open life was doing wonders for
her frail health.
1T wasn't mere accident that set you
down in the desert here for me to come
along and pick you up-me out Of all
the whole world, Agatha, darlingI Il
Is Gods will that we two should meet
again and be happy Say it isr' His
arm had stolen about her and her ten
der lips were upturned to meet his.
Their kiss was the answer.