The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-06-30


be bossed around by big man.
Ready? Ah!" Mr.. Dickson, looking
very youthful in his linen duster and
gauntlets with a cap in his hand
handed Nancy into the car while his
admiring eyes rested on the trans
formed little woman. The street light
made 1t very bright in front of the
Beeks house so that when they rode
away all the women boarders who had
peeked from behind the basement cur
tains when the red car had honked It's
departure, knew that Mr. Dickson had
taken Miss Cricket out for ride.
The red car glided down the street
and into the pleasant avenue that led
to the park. Nancy leaned back in
her seat and sighed blissfully.
1t was a er-to-be-forgotten ride
for several reasons. First, Mr. Dick.
son had been silent for very long
/ time when he suddenly asked in a
queer voice: Are you a suffragette,
Miss Crickett7"
And Miss Cricket. much surprised,
had gasped: Mercy no, why should
| be?"
so many women are nowadays y
he murmured in relieved tone.
Miss Cricket was silent again-she
did not want to spoil this wonderful
drive by talking-besides, there was a
note in Mr.. Dicksons voice that dis
turb d her strangely; it caused her
. heart to beat in a most unaccustomed
manner.
Around and around the park they
glided in the procession of automo-
biles that wound in and out along the
perfect roads. They listened to the
band concert and at last when it was
over they stopped at a pavilion and
Mr. Dickson brought her out plate
of ice cream. They sat in the little
red car and ate ice cream and listened
to another band concert
At last they left the park and
turned back to the city. The little
red car went around corner, chuckled
along a quiet side street and with a
derisive snort stopped in front of an
rectory close by.
What is the matter?" cried Nancy
Cricket, shaken out of her dreamy
abstraction.
Mr. Dickson was on the ground,
looking under the car. Presently he
arose, brushed his knees and leaning
against the car looked up at Miss
Nancy perched on the seat
This has happened. he said de-
liberately, and the masterful tone sent
delightful thrills through Nancy Crick-
ct. II came out to ask you to marry
me, Miss Cricket. and l couldn't sum-
mon courage to do it-but this blessed
little car of mine has paved the way
1t stopped right in front of the church
and the minister's-and that's the
question. Nancy? What Is your an
swer?"
In one binding flash the future was
revealed to Nancy Cricket-to marry
BENJAMIN Dickson whom she secretly
loved, to have a cosy little home
where she would have nothing to do
save to make it comfortable for him,
to ride in the little red car whenever
she liked 1t was too much! Nancy
bowed her head and quite regardless
of the fluffy pink chiffon bows she
cried softly.
Mr. Dickson was holding both her
hands in his when the door of the
rectory opened and the rector's rotund
form came down the path of the gate.
Good evening" he said pleasantly
Have you had breakdown? Can
be of assistance?"
mo thank you-not this evening"
said Benjamin Dickson heartily, 'but
we are going to be married very soon
and then we will need your help
how soon, Nancy, tomorrow"
Nancy laughed shaky laugh. "One
month from now" she said firmly, and
with that decision Mr.. Dickson had to
be content.
The rector babe them goodnight
and the little red car, chuckled again,
and then buzzed home just as if it
had not contributed to make this a
wonderful evening for two people.
Copyright 1913, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)