The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-01-07
ESTABLISHED 1876

nifty that set oddly on one so young.
II knew you were here and came down
to prepare you for MP appearance.
Mrs. Sylvester AhaI not know | have
ever seen you before unless you force
me to tell her. I am not proud Of that
little episode in my life. / was only
sixteen, but / believed in you. Two
years Is a long time, and now l am a
woman. You All, here is mother
now"
"Annabeiw Mrs. Silvesters aston
ishment was blended with laughter
and well simulated confusion as she
gave her hand to Willoughby.
"Annabel?" squeaked that gentleman
pitifully.
Annabel courtesied mockingIy. AN
mabel Lange Sylvester, who tired OF
convent life and spent a year in Paris
studying art. who tired of art and went
back to the convent and who has come
home and surprised her dear mamma
by being so grown upl"
Darling, you positively shocked
me" murmured Lucia Sylvester, caress-
ing the rudy hair with n plump
white hand. II did not realize you
were growing up / have always
thought Of you as my little girl. Now
I shall keep you hidden till after my
wedding" she concluded, with an arch
smile, at the disturbed face Of her be,
trothed.
Willoughby Jones-D Derrick was adj
justtng his slow moving faculties to
this latest order Of things
First, it had been Anne LANCE. a
ghost out Of his respectable past that
might rattle its bones unpleasantly tol
the sound of wedding bells or hush
those bells altogether. and this we'd
ding meant his bread and butter-and
cigarettes.
Now, it was AnnabeI. the stepdaugh-
ter, who confronted him; Annabel.
his prospective s~tepdaughter. who,
turned out to have beer his 6ancee for
several delicious weeks and whom
he had heartlessly Tilted when her
youthful charms palled Upon him.
Even with her promise to forget the
past warmth on her lips he wondered
whether he could live with her and
look on her each day as a slumbering
volcano which might burst forth any
moment and overwhelm him with the
lava of truth. Women were treacher-
GUS, n had not a great poet said
that 'hell holds no fury like a wom-
AN scornedY'
Il have been making the acquaint-
ance of Mr.. Jones' Derrick said Anna
bel, with a suddenly sweet smile. He
thinks I remind him of an old friend,
and we %squabbled over the matter.
Now we shall bury the Ratchet. shall
we not?" She extended her cool hand.
Willoughby grasped it eagerly. and
tears Of relief almost forced them,
selves to his fine eyes. yes" he said.
with the stiff h~eartiness that was his
nearest approach to ~friendliness.
Il thought mother was all alone. and
so l came home to take care of her.
girls have such funny ideas" Anna
bel's voice was honey sweet.
IT have given that right to Mr.. Jones'
Derrick" smiled Mrs. Sylvester over
the teapot.
Il win take care Of you both" said
Willoughby ponderously.
Annabel curled her lips scornfuliy.
and they trembIed with the quick
words that would unmask the man be-
fore her and reveal his utter faithless-
ness to her mother. But, she thought,
perhaps he was not to blame for firing
Of her. a mere schoolgirl. Her beanti-
full mother was nearer his age and
taste. Standing there, pale and cold.
Annabel saw the lovelight shining 10
her mothers eyes,, noticed the gray
threads in Willoughby's thick hair.
saw him wince-he was afraid Of her.
Something that had choked her heart
two years ago was suddenly swept
away In a warm food, and this warmth
filed her beautiful eyes. She stepped
forward and laid her hand on the
clasped fingers Of her mother and the
man.
Eyes, mother, dear. your husband
will take care of us-both. Let us all
be happy" she said, throwing away
all revenge and scorn.
Something hot and glisteniDg fell
on Annabel's hand. but her mothers
eyes were dry and shining. She did not
dare look at Willoughy Jones' Derrick.