The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-12-23


Il didn't wish at all. / only won
dered who was there"
Malcolm is with me and few of the
men servants. We expect more the
end Of the week. VIII you ride with
me along the river road after lunchH'
1t was on the tip of her tongue to
say no. but Hardy forestalled her.
He was only eighteen but he stood
two inches above GFegory's head.
Mother wants you, Laurie" he said
with a side glance at his sisters face.
I'm sorry, Mr.. Gregory. but L
can't"
You mean you wont" His tone
was almost rough. Shall send Nal
colmn DOWN.
you can both keep away" Hardy
spoke up suddenly, his face darkening
with quick, boyish anger. Whats 1t
to Laurie whether you come or go?'
When you get past the cub age,
you will understand that the issue lies
with her. not you, lad" smiled back
Emmons, with aggravating courtesy.
He raised his cap to Laurie, and went
out to his mount. Laurie stood watch
ing him ride up the road.
Something in her quiet face, and the
expression OF her dark eyes checked
Hardy's hilarity.
mo, don't, not specially. but you'd
better keep out Of 1t, dear. can
managed them both"
You'll have your hands full, then"
grumbled Hardy.
She smiled then at his emphasis,
but during the next few days his
words, boyish and crude as they were,
came true. The Gregory boys, as
everyone around Mount Ranzer called
them, had been left with plenty of
money and few restrictions. Their
father had treated them experimental
ly rather than with any affection or
real interest. They were twins, and
had come into their inheritance at
twenty-four, when their father died.
Five years had been granted them
under this will II at the end of that
time they had used their freedom
Tecklessly, and had squandered their
money, a trust fund was to be set
aside for each, taking in all of the
Gregory interests and properties and
limiting the boys to a moderate in
come each.
There was one clause in the will
which had been held back, and was
not to be told until the expiration Of
the five years or in the event OF either
one marrying.
Laurie had always felt certain re-
sponsibility in the matter. She was
like her mother and 1t was well known
around Ranzer that Mollie CarroIlton
could have married the millionaire
even in her wtdowhood. They had
been sweethearts long before he had
found that fortunes grow from using
other peoples brains for fuel Yet
she had chosen Laurie's father, the
local editor Of the little four-page
sheet, in preference. Laurie and
fathers death. And oddly enough,
the twins whenever they were at
Mount Ranzer, had come to her with
all their boyish scrapes.
But now, in manhood, they fought
their battle out alone Malcolm had
first right. He was the steadier OF
the two, and by far the better look
ing Emmons seemed younger. some
way His hair curled at the edges.
he was dark with tan and lean and
muscular with outdoor exercise. He
lacked Maloolm's balance OF charac,
ter and ease Of manner. And be-
tween the two was Laurie, winsome
and womanly. full Of grace and ear
nestness.
Only her mother seemed to guess
at the struggle in her heart those last
few days. The two brothers were not
on speaking terms, yet neither would
give an inch. Long rides they took
over the mountain roads with Laurie,
while she laughed at them and tried
to coax them back to friendship.
Choose one of us, and the other
will stand pat on the decision, and
be friends, Malcolm insisted. But
you must choose"
He speaks for himself" Emmo1s
flung back hotly. Il would not be
friends with him II you chose him"
That night he rode down~to Laurie's
home. 1t was bright moonlight. a
wonderful glowing orange-colored
moon mounting slowly behind the
ragged edge Of woodland And in it's
mellow light he saw Laurie standing
on the veranda, both her hands rest
ing on Malcolm's shoulders, and her
face raised to him. Her back was
towards him, but he knew every line
of her figure, and the light seemed to
die out of his life as he gazed at them.
He leaned his head down on the
old rock wall with a groan. Virginia
Creeper covered it, but the vines had
hardly one clinging crimson leaf now.
And suddenly he heard some one
speak his name. Laurie's voice, bit
tremulous, and startled. 'Emmons,
what is it?" She put out her hands
to him. Il was with Hardy down in
the village"
Where's Malcolm?"
Il haven't any idea. Why?"
Il saw him there on the porch with
you. just now"
Not with me-with mother" She
laid one hand on his shoulder pity
ingly. You silly boy. Mother was
just comforting him."
He caught her two hands close in
his crushing grip.
II thought it was you. Laurie. Do
you mean you've told him"
Laurie nodded.
DO you know what you've done,
dear heart? I'm the scapegrace. Dad
always said 1 was, and yet he was
good to me. I've run wild with his
money and my life, and now l lose It
all and You too"
Not me, Emmons." Her face was
upliftsd to his. but he made no at