The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-07-02
Our Sane
Fourth
And What Came
Of 1t
By AGNES BROGAN
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

IneFe Will Dc no fireworks at our
house this year." she said firmly. II
shall see that Dot and Bobbie at least
are withheld from the general sacri-
ice.'
What are we going to do" Jim
questioned meekly-"play checkers%
This is my plan. and know Nan
will think it a good one. Upon the
eventful day we will take a nice big
lunch and go to some lonely, woodsy
place along the lake shore. In the
evening we will build a fire on the
beach and roast corn and things, COM
ing home later in the moonlight"
Jim's face frightened visibly. Sounds
pretty good" he said who's to be
Mans attendant cavalier upon this oc-
casionY
Mollie cast troubled glance In my
direction.
That is for Nan to say" she re-
sponded. "a month ago should have
asked Allison without even consulting
her. for we all supposed that affairs
were settled between those two, but
since he has ceased calling and Nan
avoids him In every possible manner"
Affairs had been settled" between
Allison and me. but how could / tell
her that our bitter quarrel had sprung
from the very fact that had insisted
upon keeping our engagement secret?
1t was all so new and wonderful, this
great happiness which had come into
my life, that Ionged to keep 1t jealous
ly for a little time, but men do not
understand. When Allison found that
plesdings were useless he turned from
me Indignantly.
Il can see no reason for concealment,
Man." he had said When you are
pleased to recognize our engagement
you will send for me-"
Send for him indeed! Why, my heart
cosld break in little bits before would
do thing like that.
well. Mani" Mollie spoke impa-
tiently.
I'VE might ask Mr. Armstrong"
suggested coolly, ''or Jack Meads. FL
Their would be glad to come" Mr..
Armstrong called as sat on the
veranda that afternoon. When l told
him of our Fourth OF July plans his
face lit up with pleasure.
"Jove." he said delightedly. that
will be great! Won't you let me come
along, Miss Harmon? could take
you all out there In my car" This was
just what | had expected, so when my
brother came home at night told him
of the arrangement. Jim whistled.
II asked Jack Meads to CO." he said,
''and he did not lose any time accept
ing the invitation. What are you going
to do about it?''
MolIie came to the rescue. "Never
mind" she said cheerfully. 81 will ask
my sister Nell to Join the party, and
you young people can all enjoy your.
selves together"
l tried to look pleased, but even If
Nell Is Mollie's sister must say
Well, l was busily engaged mixing
a cake preparatory to the great event
when Jim approached me ON the fol-
lowing morning.
Man." he began apologetically. ~
happened to mention this picnic of
ours to Allison today. and he grew
quite nthusiastic-hinted openly for
an invitation. in fact You will not
mind If he comes In his runabout, will
you? He says Armstrong; car will
carry only seven comfortably, and he
might help out by taking one Of us
along"
| looked straight into Jim's eyes. ''l
shall ride on the front seat Of Mr.
Armstrong; car" ] said meaningly.
We had intended to make an early
start, but 1t was after luncht1me when
the big red auto, followed by the
white runabout, rolled down the beau
tiful lake shore drive, leaving the deaf
ening noise Of shot and shell far be
hind.
I'VE will not stop at any Of the pic
mic places" MoIlie said. I'VE will ride
lated spot"
But this time Mollie ''reckoned with
out her automobile" for the car
stopped sud denly of its own accord
Just in sight OF one of the despised
picnic place, and we were all unload
ed unceremoniousIy. while Mr. ARM
strong dived under the machine. to re-
appear presently flushed and dishev
eled.
"Can | help your" Allison called. but
- cd hn1 hno rod
offer. and ! was not surprised at Mr.
Armstrong; curt refusal.
"AIl right" Allison responded. I'VE
will ride up the road in search of an
ideal resting place. Let you know
when we find it."
Mr.. Armstrong threw off his coat and
went to work with a will, Jim acting
as assistant Why is 1t that the incest
men turn savage when a spark plug or
some other rueer thing about an auto
mobile goes wrongf
do you think you can mend itT'
asked sweetiy, and this man. who
short time since would have done any
thing to gain my favor. now giared
at me.
when can locate the trouble
will answer you," be said. so | turned
to Jack while he Is thinking 1t
over" suggested. you might take me
for a walk down the beach" And as
we strolled along Moilie aud Dot went
Dack to SIT in the shade OF the trees.
Jack helped me into a deserted row.
boat which lay on the sands and seat
ed himself before me.
This is good, to be alone with you,
Man." he was beginning when man
who had passed us retraced his steps.
Jack Meads be cried. Ignoring my
presence. What luck! The boys from
the office are out here today. and we
are trying to make up baseball nine.
All we lack is good pitcher. and we
know your fame in that line. It's go
ing to be a short game. Come on over
and join us
Jack looked fieldward. and his eyes
shone "You wouldn't mind. would
you. Nan?" he asked eagerly.
Certainly; | do not mind" ! an.
swered effusively. but 1 prefer not to
walk over TO the field"
He hurried away without one back
ward glance 1t was another humiliat-
ing moment. Following an idle i'm
pulse. lifted the solitary oar which
lay In the boat and poled myself out
into the water Perhaps when Allison
came back he might see me. He used
strongly to object If ventured to row
alone. must have drifted out pretty
far. for the automobile looked ike a
speck In the road. while the baseball
field was just a green blur With a
splash my one oar slipped from my
grasp and quickly doated just beyond
reach. Ii would have been useless to
can foi. aaaiata nco fnr No nna ANNA rod