The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-05-13
gust, he gave up the problem and left

happened and wait for Cornelia's ex-
PLANTATION of her singular behavior or
whether he should call upon her and
demand an Interpretation OF it at once
he could not decide.
Seyen-thirty found him still suffering
panes of indecision, but he had dressed
in the meantime and at the last mo-
ment hurried away to the Lloyd house,
mentally cursing himself for his weak
ness in doing so.
The sapphire ring burned in his pock-
ct. 1t had been a magic ring that was
to open wide the gates of paradise to
him. Corneiia had said to him the
night before that she would be wait
ing in the library shortly before s
O'Clock to give him greeting. Would
she be there now?
These and other questions tormented
Clifford as he approached the house.
They buzzed in his ears as he walked
slowly up the stone steps and rang the
bell
81 will go into the library" he said
to the servant who admitted him, and
presently he stood in the quiet, digni
fled room among the books that Judge
Lloyd loved
For a moment he stood inside the
door, peering into the dim corners,
hoping that Cornelia had kept her tryst
with him.
chair and stood before him-a very
beautiful Cornelia, but very different
one from the girl he had parted with
the night before This was a Cornelia
Of indignant eyes and naughty head
and sorrowful lips. AS her lips parted
to speak the door opened quickly be-
hind them, and Judge Lloyd entered.
The judge held out welcoming hand
to Gerald and took his daughters hand
in his own. He stood there for mo
ment holding them thus, looking from
the young mans anxious face to the
mutinous, downcast countenance Of his
lovely daughter.
Gerald he said at last, when l.
returned this morning my wife told me
that my daughter had engaged herself
to you. Do you know what ! said to
herr" He regarded Gerald with kindly
eyes.
The young man shook his head "You
could truthfully have said l was un
worthy of so great a treasure" he
said earnestly.
Cornelia's chin went up the least bit
higher, and he could barely see the
soft curve of her rose tinted cheek.
Judge Lloyd laughed softly. 81 told
my wife l would rather give Cornelia
to you than to any other man know"
he said emphatically. IF you only
live up to the high opinion / have Of
you, Gerald, you will be a mighty hap
py man, for no woman could help low
ing you. There; will leave you both
for a moment before dinner is an
nounced. You will be frightened at
the array of relatives we have muster
ed to meet you, my dear boy"
Once more he wrung Gerald's hand
kissed his daughter tenderly and left
the room.
When the door had closed behind
him Cornelia slowly turned her head
and regarded her lover with open con-
tempt in her violet eyes.
"Well?" she asked cuttingly.
"Welr' retorted Gerald stifiy. 81
came because | thought you might Of
fer me an explanation of your conduct
this afternoon"
"My conductp' repeated Cornelia in
amazement what have l done that
ran,,i,oe ~,
Nothing, except to humiliate me by
breaking your appointment with me
today and taking tea with a-a-brain-
less idiot like Monty Woodruff blaz-
ed Gerald, losing his self control
Monty Woodhullv' repeated Corne-
liza, with tears of indignation in her
eyes. Il haven't seen him today. l
waited and waited for you at the tea
room, and at last / took tea alone, But
l saw you"
"CorneliaY' expostulated her lover,
aghast at her manifest falseness. 81
saw your face reflected in the mirror
opposite my seat, and l saw Monty
Woodhull's back or that of some other
fellow sitting with you, and
"Impossibler' retorted Cornelia.
your own sister sat at the next ta-
BILE and saw me waiting alone, while
you sat in the opposite alcove with
the loveliest girl wearing the dearest
hat | ever saw!'
Gerald stared open mouthed Then
enlightenment came into his eyes.
WAS it fluffy white thing?" he de
manded suddenly.
"You know 1t wasw sobbed Cornelia
He laughed contentedly. you're
right about one thing, and so am /. The
girl you saw reflected was the love
Hest girl in the world your very own
self, Cornelia. AS for me. the brain
less fool | saw reflected was myself
and that's the truth I ate all alone
too. Darling, don't you understand"
Cornelia decided that Gerald's arms
would afford a comfortable refuge
while he explained the double misun-
Outstanding and the puzzle of the mir
rors placed opposite and counter refec
tons from other mirrors set in square
posts about the room and how they
two, who were to drink tea together.
had both been misled.
But / don't understand dearest"
he said in conclusion you told me
to meet you in the left hand alcove.
and l was there, while you
81 meant the left hand going out of
the ROOM" explained Cornelia you
will never want such a stupid suspi
ciOuS wife. Gerry, and"-
I'm not going to have one protest
ed Gerald. and then he added softly.
Now, have magic ring here and
But the rest of it was for Cornelia's
pink ear alone.