The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-06-30
THROUGH ACID TEST
BY KATHERINE HoPsoN.

Stephen Miles sat stunned, while
the letter fell UNDECIDED from his fin
gers.
Il can't believe i'll can't" he
exclaimed over and over. Then he
picked Up Avis Cordons letter again
and rel ad the last page:
Il he re What I'm going to say won't
hurt ycu, Stephen. We have been very
good Fl lends, and l hope always shall
be, but this is probably the last letter
l shall Ger write you, for am going
to be married in October My fiance is
a man l me. this summer while visit
ing Uncle Alfred, in Denver. Robert
Harley is owner of large silver mine
in the Tahoe valley, and is man OF
ability who inspires one with conf
dence."
At this last sentence Stephen WINGED.
That's more than she could say OF
me. But it wasn't because didn't
try to make good His mind went
back over the past, which seemed a
series of misfortunes, beginning with
loss of health, then position and pros
poets. And now, after two years of
fierce struggle he had regained all
three.
But on the eve of success l have
lost my sweetheart" There was
wounded boyish look in his gray eyes.
Il don't wonder she grew tired of wait
ng-and an offer from another man
in settled, comfortable circumstances
seemed attractive after the tales of
encouragement which were all | had
to give her for so long! But, oh, Avis!
Avis If only you had held on little
longer. all would have come right
for u.s."
He laid his head down ON this old
student table-where for so many
nights after weary evenings work.
he had written his daily letter to
Avis. That hour for writing had been
the brightest one of the "a
IF I'd received this letter six
months ago-or even four, it would
merely have seemed part of my chap
ter of bad luck, but now when
thought things had taken turn for
the better, this comes as a knockout
blow"
For long time he sat with head
bowed on his arm In thoughtful 81
lence, then he Strengthened up. We'll,
it's a blow | must take like a man.
Squaring his shoulders he got out writ
ing materials and wrote-wrote In the
graceful, kindly way which had al
ways characterized him even in mo-
ments of deepest encouragement. and
wished her all good luck and happi-
ness.
There was another moment of an
guish when he wrapped up her letters
and photograph to send back. They
had helped him over so many hard
places. IF l could only keep this"
thought he, as he looked at her pic
ture.
In way he was glad he did not
know the exact date of her wedding
Yet each day during the month of Oc-
tober he wondered If this were the
one. He had intended to return this
fall to the old town In Ohio to visit
his parents. But he could not go
now-not until Avis was married and
gone from there. He decided to ac-
cept an offer he had received of po-
sition in Montana.
His train left ST. Paul late in the
evening, but he entered the Pullman
early to get we'll settled. With
sense of relief he laid down his grip
and prepared to make himself COM
Portable in the seat, when he glanced
carelessly through the car-and there
before him, across the aisle, sat Avis
and-the man.
Stephen stared in blank amazement
We'll, Of all predicaments!" he ejac-
ulated. Il have tried to give her up
with the best grace possible, but I'm
not equal to sitting across from her
for two days and witnessing another
mans happiness. Besides, the situa
ton would be bit embarrassing for
her Quietly he picked up his bag
and left the car.
He went back to the ticket Office and
arranged to have his berth changed to
another car 1t was necessary for him
to go on that train to meet his bust
ness appointment, but he could and
would avoid the bridal couple. He
would time his going into the diner
so as not to meet them. The first day
he was successful They seemed al
ways to go in at the first call, but at
noon the second day they were late,
and Stephen, supposing they had
come and gone. was just beginning
his dinner when they entered.
They went to the end table, and
Avis did not see him. Her back was
turned, but he could see her face re-
flected in the mirror. 1t was not a
happy face. For one moment Stephen
felt a human CLEAN of satisfaction
that she had not found the anticipat-
ed Joy with this other man Then like
the acid test which brings out gold
from dross, his better nature rose
from its struggle to the surface, and
there surged over him wave of ten
der pity Avis-his Avis-had evil
IDENTIFY made terrible mistake-and
1t was for all her life long. He stud
led her reflection. The eyes were sad,
and there lurked look of tragedy
in their violet depths. His gaze shift
ed to her husband as he sat facing
her He sat studying the bill OF fare
with intentness. 1t was evidently a
matter of much moment what he ar
dered.
Sick at heart, Stephen left the din
er. IF l thought she were happy, !
would try to conquer my primitive
jealousy and be happy. But now
oh, hers is not the face of happy
woman And to think-it's Avisl"
The train stopped at station for a
few minutes, and he got out and
strobe savagely up and down the plat
form.
That afternoon the man strolled into
the smoking car and sitting down be-
side Stephen he began to talk about
a hunting expedition he was going to
join In Montana. His air of bragga
docio made Stephen like him less and
less. All his consideration seemed
conferred about himself and no men
ton made of his bride.
viii your wife accompany you on
the trip" Stephen found himself ask
ing, his voice strangely unnatural.
"Oh, no. she isn't good traveller.
and doesn't like to rough it," was the
careless rejoinder.
Stephens blood boiled. So neglect
was to be Avis portion before the
honeymoon was scarcely begun! He
left the smoker abruptly. He felt he
could not answer for consequences If
he remained