The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-01-02

children! But understand, and Will
come, Ellen. am to settle the mat
ter day after tomorrow, and after that
they will give me three months to va
cate The place really does not be-
long to me after tonight.
"You will have to sell off some OF
the furniture, expect" muttered Ell.
len diffidently.
"Yes," admitted Estelle sadly. "You
know when father died, Ellen, he beg
ged me to hold on to the place at any
cost. He-he thought I might marry
some day, but. of course, that is all
nonsense Estelle blushed and turn
ed her head away; then. with proud
shake of her shoulders, she resumed:
There was a tiny sum left in the
bank, so l mortgaged the house and
have been living on that. know it is
thriltless, but there was no work for
me in Lanelea, and I promised father
to stay and always keep the house
open, but it will have to go noww
"And. of course, Henry Haskins will
ingiy let you have the money and was
nice about waiting for the interest be-
cause this is the finest property in
Lanelea and worth waiting forp' cried
Ellen Smith bitterly. IF 1 had only
known before might have helped
you"
With an Ill framed excuse she has
tened away, first exacting a promise
from Estelle to come to her house and
help receive. Although it was draw
ing near mealtime and her hungry
brood would be watching for her mo-
mentary arrival, Ellen Smith made
her way toward the courthouse, where
she was fortunate enough to find Judge
Mason still in his Office.
Her interview with the rather stern
faced judge lasted for an hour. and
when she left the Office her counte-
nance beamed with delight at salts
factorily accomplished duty. 81 al
ways knew there was somebody Estelle
might have married, and from his face
when mentioned her name l know"
New Years day dawned cold and
cloudy. There was not much inclina-
ton to leave warm stoves and go a.
calling, but still there was an incen-
tive in the form Of alluring refresh
ments as well as alluring daughters in
many households
Estelle shed bitter tears as she wan
dered through the lonely rooms. repeo-
pling them with beloved forms, reliv-
ing old days when happiness had been
such a drug in her youthful market
that she had carelessly flung some of
1t aside. Afterward she came to re-
alize that it was precious part Of the
delicate fabric Of bliss that is woven
into every ones life. Evan Mason had
left Lanelea and returned only year
ago, gray haired and with legal honors
thrust upon him. She had avoided a
meeting with him, and so they had not
met
one might come, but the storm was ex-
cuse enough. and there were no paths
dug around the Freeman place.
Just as dusk fell there came re-
sounding peal at the doorbell. Estelle
lighted the lamp In the library, where
sue udu Decu Slll1uS III tue tWAilsAt,
and lighted the red shaded lamp in the
hall As she opened the door man
came in as though driven before the
storm.
II was Evan Mason.
When they faced each other in tho
library the judge held out hand to
the woman he had so hopelessly loved
in the past
81 came to bring you New Years
gift, Estelle." he said gravely. THE
mortgage on your house has been paid.
Nay. do not refuse me. You must know
i owe my career and everything have
and am today to your fathers generos-
ity. / only dare wish you might give
me New Years gift in return
"If 1 only could began Estelle i'm
pulsively, and then her eyes dropped
beneath the meaning in his faithful
ones. 'If''- she faltered.
eff you only loved me you could east
ly make me happier than | could ever
hope to make you" he said. smiling
sadly.
"Ah-but l did, do now" stammer.
ed Esteile. feeling the pressure Of the
long deferred lips upon her own.
As their eyes met each saw vision
Of the new year. and there was no sad
nMaa in IL