The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-05-27

long red rays through the driving
storm. A fog horn blared duly from
the distance. 1t was very cold and very
lonely up there, and Joel longed to go
down to the CHEEKY warmth of the
room below, but he hesitated.
Peter Langdon needed him sorely.
Some one must relieve the injured man
of the agonizing pain of his broken
limb. Joel thrust prejudice aside and
returned to the lower room and APP
preached the bedroom door.
you won't be blamed because your
lights not burning" be announced
cheerfuIly Nov. Mr.. Langdon, if
you'll let me, think can fix that leg
of yours so you'll be comfortable till
doctor gets out here in the morning
You know I've been quite handy about
helping set broken limbs, and
Get along with you" ordered Peter
fiercels 81 don't want you to come
near me
Then III 20 ashore and fetch doc
tor tonight and Joel picked up his
hat and shrugged into his oilskins In
an instant he had opened and closed
the outer door and was gone into the
stormy night.
Dora Langdon sank down beside the
bed and hid her face in the blankets.
'Oh, father" she cried, why did you
let him go? Perhaps he will be drown
edr'
what If he is?" demanded the man
6ercely. Would you careY
There was little silence while the
girls shoulders heaved with emotion.
"Of course I'd care" she said in a
muffied Tone
A look of pain wrinkled Peters harsh
features "Then-then you must like
him lot" he said hoarsely.
II do, father" she sobbed.
81 thought-maybe you'd be satisfied
with just me-" he said in a low tone.
II lost your mother when you was
born, and I set store by you, Dora,
thinking maybe you'd care enough
about me to stay with me, but I've got
to give you up to him. I hate the
young jackanapesr'
"Oh, father, dear, don't think shall
love you any lessv' cried Dora, throw
ing her arms around his neck. Don't
you understand how anybody can care
for more than one person at a time?
When you loved my mother, couldn't
you love your own mother too?''
Peter Langdon swallowed a lump in
his throat and muttered under his
breath Dora could not hear what he
said, but she felt that his mood was
softening. Don't worry about Joel,
father" she pleaded. You know he
said the other day that he would new
er marry me without your consent, so
you see you can keep me a prisoner
here in your tower all my life If you
WISH
would you be happy and contented
to stay with me aloneT asked her ia
Their
Il might not be entirely happy, ia
Their, but would try to be contented,"
she said steadily.
There was silence between the two
after that which lasted well into the
night The waves reared on the rocks
at the base of the tower, and the wind
screamed wildly as it chased the fly
ing rain. Father and daughter were
thinking of the brave young form with
face set toward Hadden harbor. The
older mans fierce jealousy had driven
Joel forth into the widest storm Of the
season. Would he reach the shore
alive?
don make up the loss to his daughter?
He asked himself this question over
and over as the long hours passed
Dora arose after awhile. and with
white. set face she attended to little
household duties that she might not
be distracted by the acuteness of her
anxiety. Now and then she admins
tered cordial to the suffering man
on the bed. but after awhile he lay very
quiet with closed eyes. and she thought
he was asleep
The sitting room clock was Ginning
when there came a beating at the
outer door. Dora few to open it with
trembling fingers, and two storm swept
men entered the room. The girl ran
to and fro, helping the doctor and Joel
Webster to shed their oilskins and
bringing them steaming bowls of gin
ger tea
Sensible little girl" approved DR..
ha IL
Now for your father. Dora
Joel sat in the background, white and
worn with the strain of his nights
work At least he could keep out of
Peter Langdon's way until that man
of wrath had been made comfortable.
Perhaps then there might be a spare
bed. Joel nodded gently off to sleep
sitting bolt upright on his chair.
Il want Joel to help" said Peter
Langdon In Il mild voice as the doctor
made his careful examination, and it
was a very happy Dora who gently
shook Joel into wakefulness and whis-
pered her fathers request
AS the three busted themselves over
the broken leg Peter Langdon, quite
unmlndrnl OF pain. uttered his thoughts
aloud. "As soon as the sea goes down.
doctor, | wish you'd bring the minister
over. We're going to have a wedding
here"
''O-hor' smiled the physician. sc
that's the way the wind blows, eh.
Going to like life ashore. Dora?'
Joel had found the hand Of Dora's
father and was gripping it gratefully.
Before the girl could frame an answer
to the doctors question Joel spoke with
the little authoritative air that Peter
Langd0n secretly liked,
We're going to live right here with
Mr.. Langdon. If he'll let us. I'm going
to get Marshall's job if can-that is.
if''-
"Father-in-law." supplied Peter with
a grim smile.
If father-in-law will consent" smiled
Joel
you'll get it." said Peter hurriedly.
why. this light was off the chart to-
night till Joel came and fixed her up"
And was off your chart until to-