The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-05-16

AAO otOppou anu looked at them
That's a good basketful," he said
to Ruth. ~
I'VE hope so, sir" said the mother
The young man locked startled.
You are Americans?" he inquired.
Don't you find the work hard?"
"A little, sir. But it isn't so hard
as on the wheat fields in the North
west, where we come from"
She could have bitten her tongue
out at her foolish slip. The young
man looked at her more curiously.
Then he looked at the daughter again,
raised his hat without replying, and
rode on up the avenue toward the
house. They watched him.
IT'S my nephew, Arthur" ex-
claimed Mildred Kearney. I'VE
mustn't let him know"
mo, mother" said Ruth. But in
wardly she was already indulging in
the daydreams of youth. She had had
SO little realization of any youth
About noon the next day, when they
were intent on their picking, the young
man rode I'D.
Il want one of you women to help
in the hulling ROOM" he said rather
roughly. NO, not both of you.
think the younger one will do. Proba-
bly, her fingers are nimbler. What is
your name?" he added.
Ruth, SIR"
Ruth what?"
Ruth James," said the mother,
catching her child's imploring glance.
And she watched Ruth walk off be-
side the young squire, who rode at
slow pace stif1y toward the hulling
shed. But instead of entering he en-
gagged in long talk with her Where
did she come from? Did she like the
work? Was she used to it?"
Ruth, who had been afraid of him,
found that he dropped his harshness
OF manner as they stood side by side
and chatted in the sunshine. And,
while she parted his questions she
felt that they were equals, that he was
! treating her with the respect a man
owes woman. And she dared to
dream on.
This work is too hard for you and
your mother, said young Lathrop with
conviction. IF you want employment
we will get you something easier. How
| would your mother like to be nv
housekeeper? My own has left, and |
am looking for competent woman.
What you tell me convinces me that
she is qualified
Il shall have to ask her." faltered
the girl. 81 must go now"
And, needless of his remonstrances.
she turned and ran back to her
mother. Lathrop's eyes followed her
fleeing figure. He was sore1y puzzled
puzzled and pleased. Anyone could
see that.
The mother was afraid that all
would be discovered She could not
bear the thought of asking charity of
her nephew. But the work was sorely
needed, and this checked her impulse
to fly and take Ruth with her. AS 1t
happened, nothing more was said
about the housekeeping. Then he be-
gan to engage in little chats with
Ruth, always with. Ruth, as the mother
picked near by.
It was impossible now for the girl
not to see that he admired her. In
TACT, Lathrop never pretended to hide
his feelings. The mother watched the
growing intimacy with dismay.
Then the days came when Ruth
grew less communicative And at last
or the last day of the berry picking,
Mildred Kearney, watching the young
couple from a distance, saw Lathrop
take Ruth in his arms and kiss her.
And the girl offered no resistance.
I'll have to tell him now" she
thought with sinking heart. HE
doesn't dream that it is his own flesh
and blood he is dishonoring."
And she went boldly up to the house.
Squire Lathrop was waiting with Ruth
in front Of the old-fashioned porch.
He had seen her coming, and neither
attempted to evade the interview.
I've something to say to you," said
Mildred Kearney.
Come inside, please" answered La
throp, and led the way into the living
room. 1t was as it had always been
within her memory. The same writing
desk stood in the window, the same
old chair in the corner, under the
bookshelf, whore her father had sat.
And all this should have been hers.
Tears flooded her face and streamed
down her cheeks at the thought that
they were beggars, that her nephew
proposed to take advantage Of a girl
whom he considered miles beneath
him in station.
Il saw you kiss my daughter" she
flashed out.
"Well?" drawled the young man.
you don't know who she is. You
think because we aren't dressed well.
we are common berry pickers, that
you have right to insult her"
"Mother!" exclaimed the girl, with
flaming cheeks.
Il tell you she is as well born as
you are. We shall leave tonight,
and"
Hold on, Aunt Mildred" said the
young squire. And, as the woman
stared at him incredulously, he came
quietly toward her, placed his arm
around her, and brazenly kissed her
too.
Haven't the right to kiss my own
cousin?" he inquired you see. Aunt