The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-06-01

- HAAeOA hdu udu al Array eye ne
could have seen her take a cigarette
from her handbag and light 1t non
chalantly the moment he was gone.
AS for Bennett, Milton, who was
watching him closely, thought he was
about to discharge him on the spot
for bothering him. He took the card.
and his face expressed the most ex-
IRENE surprise, then anger. He
thought a moment.
Tell that woman to state her busi-
ness in writing" he Numbered CURLY
at Milton.
AS the boy turned to go back to
the waiting room. Weepy Mary. hear
ing him coming, hastily showed the
cigarette into her sons" hand.
Mr.. Bennett says for you to write
out what 1t is you want to see him
about" reported Milton, indicating the
table before which she was sitting.
Mary had automatically taken up
sobbing with the release Of the ciga-
rette She looked at the table on
which were letter paper, pens and ink.
{ Il may write here?' she asked.
Surely, maam," replied Milton,
still very much overwhelmed by her
sorrow
'Weepy Mary" sat there. writing
and sobbing.
In the midst of his sympathy, how
ever, Milton shifted. There was an
unmistakable odor of tobacco smoke
about the room. He looked sharply at
the son." and discovered the still
smoking cigarette.
It was too much for Milton's out
ragged dignity Bennett did not allow
him that coveted privilege. This up
start could not usurp It,
He reached over and seized the boy
by the arm, and swung him around
till he faced sign in the corner on
the wall.
Seer he demanded
The sign read, courteously:
"No Smoking In This office-Piease.
"PERRY BENNETT"
Lego my arm" snarled the "son,
putting the offensive cigarette def.
antly into his mouth.
There was every element Of gaudy
mixup, when the outer door Of the Of
flee suddenly swung open and Elaine
Dodge entered.
Gallantry was Millions middle name
and he sprang forward to hold the
door, and then opened Benefits door
as he ushered in Elaine.
AS she passed "Weepy Mary" who
was still writing at the table and cry
ing bitterly, Elaine hesitated and
looked at her curiously. Even after
Milton had opened Benefits door, she
could not resist another glance. In
stinctively, Elaine seemed to scent
trouble.
Bennett was still studying the black
bordered card when she greeted him
who is that woman?" she asked
still wondering about the identity OF
the niobe outside.
At first he said nothing. But finally
seeing that she had noticed 1t, he
handed Elaine the card, reluctantly.
Elaine read it with gasp. The look
of surprise that crossed her face was
terrible.
Before she could say anything, how
ever, Milton had returned with the
sheet of paper on which "Weepy
Mary" had written and handed 1t to
Bennett.
Bennett read it with uncontrolled
establishment.
What is it?" demanded Elaine.
He handed it to her, and she read:
As the lawful wife and widow
Of Taylor Dodge ! demand my
sons rights and my own.
MRS. TAYLOR DODGE.
Elaine gasped at It,
"She-my fathers wife!" she ex'
claimed. What effrontery! What
does she mean?"
Bennett hesitated
Tell me-" Elaine cried. 'Ts there
can there be anything in 1t? Mono
there isn't"
Bennett spoke in a low tone. Il
have heard whisper of some scan
+, dal or other connected with your faith
er--but-" He paused.
Elaine was first shocked. then indig-
nant.
"Why-such thing is absurd. Show
the woman I'M"
"No-please-Miss Dodge. Let me
deal with her."
By this time Elaine was furious.
"Yes-I will see her."
She pressed the button on Benefits
desk, and Milton responded.
Milton, show the-the woman in.'
she ordered, "and that boy. too"
AS Milton turned to crook his finger
at "Weepy Mary" she nodded surrep.
titiously and dug her fingers sharply
into sons" ribs.
''YeIl-you little fool-yell." she
whispered.
Obedient to his mothers" com:
mands, and much to Millions disgust
the boy started to cry in close imita.
ton Of his elder.
Elaine was still holding the paper in
her hands when they entered.
What does all this mean?" che de
manded.
| "Weepy Mary" between sobs, man
aged to blurt out. you are Miss
Elaine Dodge, aren't you? Well. II
means that your father married m,
when was only seventeen and THU
boy is our son-your half-brother."
"No-never," cried Elaine vehem
} emily, unable to restrain her disgust
'Weepy Mary" smiled cynically
Come with me and viii show 20,
the church records and the minister
who married u.s.
you will?" repeated Elaine defiant
ly. well, I'll just do as you ask. Mr.
Bennett shall go with me-"
mo. no. Miss Dodge-don't GO
Leave the matter to me-" urged Ben
nett. Il will take care of her. Be
sides, must be in court In twent,
minutes"
Elaine paused, but she was thor
oughly aroused.
Then l will go with her myself,
she cried defantly.
In spite of-every objection that Ben
nett made. "Weepy Mary" her Sol
and Elaine went out to call taxical
to take them to the railroad station
where they could catch train to tn
little town where the woman esserte,