The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-12-26

tnat am not Indifferent as to your ac-
tion' but 1t is better that 1 should suffer
now IMAM as your wife, Trusting that
you may be happy with the girl with
whom you exchanged tokens, 1 am vour
"isher' LENA.
FRANK rested his elbows on his knees
and his head In his palms and groaned
He saw no hope anywhere. The night
before on account of his constitutional
falling he had been required to wait
year before being accepted by the
girl he loved; now he had to wait for
ever. In his position with regard to
Lena he forgot his position TO tbis
Gwen, whoever she might be. What
should he do to palliate his offense
to Lena? He did not see that he could
do anything
1t Is questionable If there was ever
a lover who was without hone fin
the lady Of his love had passed to an
other, and Frank Andrews was no ex-
ception. About 8 O'Clock in the even
Ing he called Lena on the telephone.
"Wtll you be at home this evenings"
he asked.
Yes"
MAY CALI"
i shall be pleased to see you"
There was nothing In the replies or
the tone of voice in which they were
spoken either to reassure or discourage
him as to an ultimate forgiveness. He
would go to Lena and see what he
could do.
Lena kept him waiting a few min
utes, then entered the room where he
was with neither vindictiveness nor
encouragement. He judged that 1t
was Indifference.
Il received your note" he said
gloomily. Il thought would come to
at least say goodby."
"You began your trial at 10 o'clock
on Dec. 81 and proved your inconstan-
cy at O'Clock ON Jan. / Of the next
year. You were true to me Just three
hours"
"You remember how much cham
pagne"-
"You can't plead that you didn't
know what you were doing. You
did not drink wine enough to mar
your memory Of me. Besides, If true,
that would be no excuse"
Driven from this expedient, Frank
concluded to try another.
"You see, Gwen and were play
mates when we were children. l used
to carry her books to and from school.
l had no idea then and have never had
since that she thought any more of
me than any other fellow l presume
something 1 said last night sounded to
her like lovemaking, and she-well,
she, thinking that + OF course
couldn't turn her down In brutal
fashion, you know
Lena burst into a laugh.
"Frank Andrews, you are the big
gest humbug have even known In the
whole course of my lifer'
II swear
"Don't commit perjury"
"Then you will not permit me to ex-
plainT
There is no need of an explanation
from you. 1t must come from me-"
Frank looked at her in bewilderment.
There Is no such person as Gwen.
Last night it occurred to me 70 play
Joke on you. have for years worn a
sort of amulet around my neck-a gold
locket. / saw Charlie Hartwell ask
you for a pencil, and you handed him
your gold pencil case took 1t from
Charlie and didn't give 1t back to him.
Here it Is"
A relieved smile began to break out
on Franks face
Handing Charlie my gold heart, l
asked him to slip it into your vest peck
ct. He did so while you were engaged
in an animated discussion with Alma
Wardswell You forgot your pencil
and did not know about the heart be-
ing put In your pocket. The rest is
easy for you to understand without
my saying anything more"
Frank made one bound for her.
And that's the end of the story He
made bluff himself later on, telling
Lena that she should either marry him
rs soon as she could get her trousseau
together or she could not marry him
ut ALL The matter was compromised
by a six months trial period, during
which Frank behaved himself very
well, and the nuptials were duly cele-
hrafad