The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-01-02

Before parting with this person
Davis learned disagreeable truth
There was a skeleton in the rectory Of
Vinton's church Mrs. Vinton was ac-
cepting the attentions of a man of
fashion. The congregation would have
already brought the matter before the
vestry except for their attachment to
their rector who was the only person
that appeared to be ignorant Of the
situation.
The next morning Davis and Vinton
met in the rector's study. Vinton, now
that he was alone with his old chum,
relapsed into the chum of former days
But there was no invitation to the rec
tory. Mrs. Vinton had put her veto on
Arkansaw
"How long will you stay here, Arkf
asked the rector.
"I'm not decided about my going.
| may be here a day or two, and
may go suddenly, so I'll say goodby
In case don't see You again."
Vinton pressed his friends hand
Davis saw that there was something
on his mind, but could not fathom 1t.
The same afternoon the tall south
erner appeared at the Office of one t.
Robinson Rhodes and sent in his card.
The office boy who delivered it return
ed with the inquiry as to the nature
Of the callers business.
Private" was the reply.
Frr / al
turned with the words "Come I'M and
led the visitor to the office door. Davis
saw a man dressed in the height of
fashion sitting at a rosewood desk.
Looking about to see that they were
alone, the southerner closed the door
and turned the key. Mr.. Rhodes look
ed at him in surprise.
"What do you want with me, sirT'
he said.
"Sign that" replied Davis, laying a
paper on the desk before Mr.. Rhodes.
1t read:
From this day 1 agree to forego any
association with a lady to whom have
been paying marked attention, never again
to call upon her at her house or to join
her elsewhere.
Mr.. Rhodes eyes were fixed upon
this paper long enough to have read 1t
a dozen times. He was thinking what
to do. He was no coward and resolved
to try to dominate the man who SEEM
ed disposed to interfere in his affairs,
He turned upon Davis fiercely.
rs this a case of blaekmail3"
GGVo,, r., rvrv 4Lo% fe1 not
II don't know who is the lady to
whom you refer, but If you intend to
drag any lady into quarrel you are
contemplate"
There is no necessity for dragging
the lady's name into quarrel. 1 have
not mentioned her in his paper"
Suppose / refuse to sign it7"
"You shall sign it,
"How do you propose to compel me ~
There is but one way can compel
you without injuring others. II you
refuse l shall seek you out in some
public place and insult you. l am not
known in this city, and no one will sup
pose that my real motive is to prevent
your bringing ruin upon my friend. his
wife and his children"
There was something so quietly de-
termined in the s0utherner's manner
that his adversary saw there was no
escape for him. What his course would
have been had he not had all to lose
and nothing to gain no one knows, but
he saw that this man was saving him
from himself and yielded.
II must communicate my reasons to
Ito the lady for my action he said
after pondering
'That Is admissible"
Davis left with the pledge duly sign
ed and, going to his hotel, departed on
the next train.
The Christmas festivities had passed
when Mrs. Vinton Eaid to her husband;
"You have been overworked during
the holidays this year, dear, and are
tired out Suppose we run down south
for the cold season."
'In what direction?"
I'VE might make a call upon your
Did friend Mr.. Davis"
Vinton looked searchingly at his
wife.
CAS- you like" he said.
When Arkansaw next saw his old
chum he was greeted with fervor by
his chum's wife. She gave no explana-
ton for the change, but the Dixie man
knew that he had saved her from a
grievous misfortune. From that day
aha also vvac bia chuTn