The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-02-29

and call at hotel for his niece at ten
o'clock had an hour to spare and
met some friends. One Of them, just
married, insisted on jubilee. Ten.
YETI"
Yes, 1t is" replied the provoked
Rolfe Indignantly "and you're in fine
condition to call for a young lady
here! Get your wits now and put
some coherency into this affair Why
were you going for Mr.. Wharton's
niece?"
In rambling but finally understand
able way young. Raymond gave forth
the details of his mission, He was a
cousin Of Rolfe and a clerk in the big
bond house of Wharton & Company. It
appeared that niece of the wealthy
and busy financier,. on her way home
from visit to relatives In the East,
had appeared Unexpectedly at the Of
fee Of ner uncle. The old gentleman
was nonplused. All his family were
away from the city at watering place.
The home mansion was closed. He
himself was staying at his club. Mr..
Wharton was relieved when his niece
informed him that she must resume
her journey homewards the following
afternoon. Then he took her to hotel,
placed her in charge of the matron,
and told his niece he would arrange to
have one Of his young men Of the Office
call with an auto at ten the next,
morning, and show her the sights Of
the city and later see herself and her
luggage safe on the train.
Here's the card with her name on
1t and the hotel" explained Raymond,
rendering a much-crumpled bit of
pasteboard, upon which Rolfe noted
the words: Palace hotel" and Miss
Eunice Ralston."
See here, Raymond" he suggested,
after moments thought, I'VE can't
disappoint and perplex this young
lady. I'm going to take you home, and
don't you show your face publicly I'M
til you report at the Office in the morn
ing to Mr.. Wharton. The young lady
doesn't know you and will be gone
then. Mr.. Wharton will never know
the difference. Give me one of your
cards and will be special envoy guide
to this Miss Eunice Ralston. I've got
nothing else to do and it will be
break in the monotony."
That was true. Rolfe Durward had,
indeed, nothing else to do. He had
money, he was idle, he was bored to
death most of the time. He got one
of his cards from young Raymond.
conveyed that befuddled individual to
his home and started the car for the
Palace hotel, prepared to act out the
counting-room clerk.
His glance fingered as, ten minutes
later, a graceful, lovely-faced young
girl came tripping across the sidewalk
from the ladies' entrance of the hotel,
and timidly and then blushingly fall
tered, as she beheld this handsomely
dressed young man at the wheel.
Il have come for Miss Ralston,"
spoke up Rolfe, discerning her en-
barrassment Mr. Wharton wishes
me to show you some of the city"
How kind, how very kindI" she
murmured, dignifed, proud and filed
with glowing anticipations. You see,"
she added artlessly, Il have never
been in large city before"
She looked it. and very unlike the
Refrigerated Misses Wharton, her
cousins. for everything about her pro
claimed the country girl, but, OIL how
exquisite the wild rose facet the child
ishly innocent eyesl the natural grace
that made Rolfe Durward feel that he
had fallen upon an adventure that
reused him magically out of the dreary
routine of a life of ennui!
She sat beside him in the seat, a
vivid flash of delight, for the next two
hours, as he took spin through the
splendid park system Of the city. Then
there was rejection, dainty charm
ing to the inexperienced young girl.
Her pure delight charmed and stimu-
lated her fascinated escort
IF there is any one place more
than another you would like to visit"
he suggested the theater? yes, and
there is a baseball game"
"Oh. mol" she interrupted quickly
the Art institute" and, once among
the pictures and statuary. Miss Eunice
Ralston began to unfold
Rolfe was amazed at discovering the
germ of great artistic genius in this
crude country girl. She forgot that
they were strangers, as she surveyed
the beautiful canvases and discussed
them, betraying soulful appreciation
of these that amazed her companion.
There was one picture. a little gem
that held her rapt interest for fully an
hour. She went back to 1t q half
dozen times. She had tried to paint
like that, but, ali! how presumptuous!
how dal ing!