The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-07-07
IN CUpID'S COURT
BY ARNOLD DAVIS.

esaA S~o 0CeesAo VA my blOQUAC. IL M
banded and gossiped about in every
club and at every tea, but that doesn't
bother me.
What II they do know that my
wife and l have separated, and have
been apart for a month? The fact
that they know all that doesn't affect
me in the least, and they are nothing
to me, but Helen She's all the diff
ference! l can't forget her although
I've tried hard. Sometimes when
get to thinking of her and see her
sweet face and dark blue eyes and
sort of hear her laugh the way she
used to before our trouble why, 1 can
hardly stand it.
Il love her just as much as l ever
did, Judge, and to me she will always
be the one woman in the world; but
can't stay here in New York and
see her only in some passing carriage
or at some chance concert, 80 I'm
going away. Charley White is going
to Africa hunting and has asked me
| to go.
Tive favor to ask of you, Judge,
before 1 go, and l can leave a great
deal easier with the knowledge that
it Is in your trust and care and that
all its conditions will be carried out.
1t is letter l have written to Helen,
and I've tried to tell her everything
about that affair with Mrs. Manner
ing which made all the trouble. After
I've sailed want you to see her and
tell her all I said, and if l should never
come back everything l have will be
! hers"
Young Travers rose and took his
hat and cane from the table. He tried
to be cheerful, but the keen old Judge
saw and understood
I'm awfully sorry, my boy" he
said, as he laid a kindly hand on his
shoulder. at pains me more than
can tell you, and I would give great
deal to help you, but I cannot see
any way. At any rate, trust me and
wait It won't do any harm to go
away for a time, and perhaps things
may come right"
Travers tried to speak, but his voice
choked and he could only press the
Judges hand in answer, and with
head bowed in thought he moved to
the door and opened it, when he
started back in surprise
There's Helen, now" he gasped as
he moved away from the door. "She
is coming in here, and that's the last
thing / want when she feels the way
she does. Can't wait somewhere"
There's the consultation room; go
in there" answered the Judge, and
as Travers closed the door of the
private room the Judge waited and
wondered what use Fate was making
of him.
The door opened and Mrs. Travers
slowly entered She was all that Trav-
ers had described her to be, but a
sad look had settled on the once
happy face and the eyes that had
sparkled and danced with the joy of
living bore traces of sorrow and tears.
Il don't know how to begin, Judge"
she said, as she seated herself in
the Judges comfortable chair. I've
known you for long time-ever since
was a little girl with dolls, when
you used to hold me and tell me
those stories about the bears-so
have come to you first of all for help
It's about Mr.-er, about my-well, 1t
is all about Bob. I've tried SO hard to
sit still and let 1t pass, and forget it
all, but can't; and no matter how
hard l try he always comes back
and l think of the happy times we
once had together"
The Judge rose from his chair with
an eager, happy look. 'Will you par
don me for moment, Mrs. Travers p
he said. Il want to make a memoran-
DUN before 1t slips my mind" and he
moved to his desk and wrote hurriedly
on a pad. Then with a quick turn he
moved to the private office door and,
turning the knob, opened the door a
few inches. He stood for a moment
with his hand on the knob, while a
smile lit up the square jaw and battle
lined features.
I'm quite sure, Mrs. Travers," he
said, and his words rang out load and
clear to the waiting husband as he sat
bowed in thought, that we can talk
much more comfortably if some of
this heat is let out. The janitor never
realizes that spring and a booming
furnace are sworn enemies"
He resumed his seat and listened
patiently and kindly as she poured out
heart full of trouble. The telephone
angrily rang out call after call and
downtown a board of directors waited
for the Judges coming, for it was
many a hard fought battle that Judge
Clevelands advice and help had won
for them.
You know how badly things have
gone lately" she began, "and how our
home is broken. | thought at first l
would not care what became of Bob
but last night l read in the paper that
he is going to Africa, and it came
home to me then that l did care very
much and that 1 loved him just as
much as ever It isn't as If he were
going to Bar Harbor or some place
where we have friends, but to Africa
away from all friends to escape. per.
haps, the fever there only to be killed
by the natives, is terrible And when
l think of him away off there without
friends or help, l can't bear it, and
/ know now | love him with all my
heart, and don't want him to go.
ut is almost two months now since
we parted and l thought it was for
ever, because, you see, l felt hurt and
told him l never wanted to see him
again; but I've thought lot about it
lately and l can see now that it was
my fault, too. He is going away. per
haps never to come back again. and
so l want you to see him before he
goes and give him this letter. Don't |
tell him who sent it.; simply say that
it is to be opened on board the boat
I've told him everything and asked
him to forgive my selfishness and I'M
Kindness and I've wished him luck.
We used to be so happy once"
And as the Judge leaned forward
and took her hands in sympathy she
buried her face on his shoulder and
sobbed.
Don't feel 80 badly, Helen" he
said, he he stroked her head and gave
her the sympathy that only Judge |
Cleveland, with the heart and soul Of |
life Of good deeds, could give.
He rose from his chair and took |
letter from his desk, and then with a |
smile quietly took her letter from her |
hand.
Il am going out for q few mo-
ments," he said. but before go 1
want to give you letter that was
left here for you. and / want you to
open 1t now and read it while | am
away"
lie crossed the room for his coat
and hat, and as he passed the private