The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-07-21
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MOUNTAIN MERCURY
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.

(Copyright)
Far up the mountain America could
see the rural carrier on his sure-foot-
ed little stced. At first he had seemed
just black speok against the sap
phire sky behind him. Then, as he
came nearer, he wigwagged a welcome
with his red bandanna.
America had a little shawl about
her shoulders, for in spite of the sun
shine, the February day was cold, and
she used it for an answering signal
Then, smiling, she waited.
You're mighty anxious" said the
young man on horseback as she ran
down the road to meet him.
It's st. Valentines day." she told
him archly. "and I'm lookin' for one"
He handed her a little box.
well" he said shortly, you've got
it."
The girls eyes were like stars as
she united the string
If I'd "a known" he went on slow
ly. as he watched her, IF I'd "a known
that New York fellow was sendin' you
somethin' nice, I'd have gone him one
better"
Obi" she caught her breath quick
ly, but you couldn't go him one bet
ter than this, JEFF"
She held up for him to see a spark
ling 1eweled heart, swung on a slen-
/ der chain.
There's a card in the box" she
went on, and read 1t with eager eyes.
Jefferson bent down from the sad
de-
What does he say?" he demanded
masterfully
Il amt goin' to tell you" She stood
away from the horse. 1T wasn't in
tended for any one but me-"
We'll, you're goin' to read it to
me-" His head was up and his
bronzed young face was stern.
Il amt goin' to read it to you.
How'd you like to have me read your
letters to some other fellow?"
He waived the question.
I'm goin' to read what's on that
card" he reiterated.
He dismounted and came toward
her
For a moment she seemed to medi-
tate flight; then her blue eyes met
hts brown ones In defiance
you can't force me to give 1t to
you"
Yes I can" Again his face was
stern. IF you don't give 1t to me I'll
take it from you, 'Meriky."
Something IN his air of quiet deter
mination touched the primitive in the
girl It was thus that men made them
selves master Of her kind. 1t was
thus they won the women Of the
mountains.
"Oh. WE'LL" she said sulkily-but
back in her eyes smoldered admira-
ton.
He took the card and read the
verses aloud, and his lazy drawl
seemed to add romance to the words:
This jewel. dear. is but the sign
OF my own heart; both. sweet, are
thine.
I send them as a Valentine
To one l love-"
Il guess he loves you. all right" he
said slowly.
Yes" Her tone was exultant
And he wants to marry your"
yes"
jeff tore the card into little bits
DON'T" she cried
Let the four winds take it." he
said bitterly. Il knew there was trou-
Bile ahead when that man came up
from New York to paint in the hills.
You hadn't ever seen such man, and
he hadn't ever seen such a woman
as you-you had the beauty of wild
bird, and he was used to seem tame
ones. That's why he fell in love with
you, and that's what would make you
unhappy if you married him.
you amt fit to be Gagged in that
little fiat Of his. went there when
was in New York, and I felt like
was in a trap. He showed me the
electric lights that had shades like
flowers, and his pictures, and some
old faded rugs, but kept thinkin' how
you'd die among all those tall build
ings with all that noise"
She shook her head, and the color
came and went in her cheeks.
but he'd give me pretty Clothes"
she said. Don't you think I'd look
nice in pink silk dress and pink
hat with a feather?"
You look nice in anything" he said
fiercely, ito me. You look nice in that
old Bingham you've got on, with that
xuOrcfad ohou,l arO,1nd x-oY~ Oh
But he'd have to dress you up-and
then you wouldn't be the girl he fell
in love with In the hills-and he'd
compare you to those city women, and
after a while he'd be ashamed of
you"
"Oh. how dare you, Jeffi" Her
voice shook with Indignation
HE would" the man went on dog
gedly you don't talk like them, and
you don't act like them-it's kinder to
him to give him up"
But he said he'd learn me, and
give me the things to look right In"
He came and stood over her.
rs love nothin' but clothes" he de-
manded. Are you wilkins to sell your
chance of happiness for a pink silk
dress?"
She drew away from him
Il don't think it's very honorable
for you to talk that way" she said,
seem he's the man I'm goin' to
marry"
His eyes blazed.
"Ain't / brought you his letters
every week since he left?" he de-
manded. DO you think didn't want
to fling 'em in the river?"
"Oh, well, you had to bring en-"
was her taunt You're the mail car
rier."
No, 1 didn't have to bring 'en,."
His 1.-THE young figure was drawn up
to its full height 81 didn't have to
bring 'em. l might have flung EN- in
the river. l amt afraid of the presi-
dent, or no government officer, when
it comes to gettin' the girl want. But
l wasn't goin' to work that way
wanted you to have his letters. To
chose fair and square between US, And
now's your chance, 'Meriky. This
morning, here and now"
He reached out and took the jewel
from her hand and laid it in his big
palm. beside little rosy heart-shaped
pebble, worn smooth by the waters OF
the mountain stream.
That's what brought you for my
valentine" he said slowly; "and at
first | was ashamed to give it to you
when saw the present he had sent.
But now l amt ashamed. I'm offerin'
you the best I've got No man loves
you like l do-not that artist He's
just taken with your face and figure.
But I've cared since was kid, and
Pm goin' to care till l die. I'm goin'