The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-08-14
The Chester
Inn
1t Proved a Fitting Place
For a Wedding
By ETHEL HOLMES

By ETHEL HOLMES :
John Overaker, a member of the ma
tional guard Of the state Of New York,
was engaged to be married to Helen
Withers, who lived in Chicago John
was called to the colors with. the ex-
pectation of being sent to the war at
an early date. Most young men who
are called upon to fight for their coun-
try and have sweethearts seem to pre-
fer to go forth as married rather than
as bachelors. AT any rate, John Over
aker proposed a wedding to his f1ancee,
and his proposition was acceded to by
the lady.
Since Miss Withers lived a thousand
miles from Mr.. Overaker and he could
not get a leave to be absent long
enough to so to Chicago, be married
and return, an agreement was made
between the lovers that she should
come to him instead of his going to
her for the wedding. Miss Withers did
not like the idea of wedding in Mr..
Overaker's home instead of her own,
or In hotel, or in the Office Of a JUS
tice Of the peace. Just as she was
about to start east she received a let
ter from Mrs. Chester, an intimate
friend living near New York, to whom
she had written Of her quandary, In
viting her to be married from her
house. Not having time before start
ing to write fully on the subject, Miss
Withers scratched off a brief note to
her lover asking him to meet her on n
certain date at the location In which
her friend lived, adding, 'Come to the
Chester"
1t is unfortunate to be obliged to
write hurried instructions for meet
ing. Miss Withers' ink gave out as
she finished the word Chester" and
there was none left for the IS" When
0veraker read the note he inferred
that the Chester was an inn. He was
too busy with his military duties to
read the missive over q second time.
Indeed, It was difficult for him to do
all he had to do before leaving to keep
the appointment.
Overaker concluded to make the jour-
ney in civilian dress, though he took
with him a uniform In which to be
married After spending an hour on a
train he alighted at his station. A taxi
chauffeur stepped UP to him, and Over
aker told him that he wished to go to
"the Chester" The man knew OF no
such hotel; but, preferring not to con-
TESS his ignorance and having often
seen handsome residence which was
known as the Chester place, he con-
cludedfto take the chances Of its being
the house his fare meant. The conse-
Quence was that Overaker was driven
to the house where he was to meet his
bride, thinking that he was going to
hotel.
A maid In black and white uniform
opened the door for him, and In few
minutes lady came in to receive him.
II would ike room, II you please"
he said. II am to meet lady from
Chicago here, Miss Withers. Has she
arrivedf'
Now. the lady was Miss Withers'
friend, Mrs. Chester. She had expect
ed Miss Withers q few hours before
Overaker arrived, but had received
telegram from some one-doubtless
travelling with Miss Withers-stating
that there had been railway accident
and consequent delay. The fact that
the telegram made no mention Of Miss
Withers having escaped injury looked
ominous. 1t occurred to Mrs. Chester
that it would be better for the present
to keep the matter from Mr.. Overaker.
His having mistaken her house for an
inn facilitated her doing so.
1.-THE lady has not yet arrived" she
said, "but have been advised Of her
coming"
Il am Lieutenant John Overaker. /
am to meet Miss Withers here to be
married to her. Did she mention this
factT'
"she did. She is to be married in
this house."
"Do you know If she expects me to
make the necessary preparations for
the wedding2"
II will do that for her."
Indeed. Have you had any previous
acquaintance with her?'
"Oh, yes; Miss Withers has been here
number Of times"
Every well. l suppose there is moth
ing for me to do, so with your permits
sion will 60 to my room. have been
so busy lately that have had very lit
tie sleep. l may get nap before my
f1ancee's arrival. 1t will freshen me-"
This suited Mrs. Chester exactly.
since she hoped to get news Of Miss
Withers while her fiance was resting.
She led the way upstairs to a chamber,
Overaker following. 1t did not look
like a hotel bedroom, there being pic
lures on the walls and various articles
vate house, but Overaker was too
much absorbed in his approaching nup-
tails, to say nothing of his military sit
uation, to dwell upon the condition of
bis room. and after getting the dust off
him he threw himself on the bed,
closed his eyes and In a few minutes
dropped asleep.
The next news Mrs. Chester received
Of Miss Withers was brought by the
lady herself. She had not been injured
In the railroad accident and was per-
fectly well. Mrs. Chester Informed her
Of the arrival Of her f1ance; that he
had mistaken the house for an inn:
that she had permitted him to remain
In error that she might better save him
from anxiety concerning bis expected
bride
Miss Withers went to Overaker's
room, knocked gently at the door and,
receiving no other reply than snore,
pushed the door open sufficiently to-
enable her to look In at her slumber-
ing fance He seemed so dead tired
and was resting so comfortably that she
had not the heart to awaken him. Go
ing downstairs to her friend, she said:
81 don't know but that we had bet
ter permit him to remain in ignorance
Of the fact that he Is In a private
house. He is very sensitive as to his
treatment Of others, and to know that
he had spoken to my friend and hostess
as a landlady would dampen his spir-
its for the wedding so soon to follow" !
Il have been thinking of the same
thing and quite agree with you" re-
piled Mrs. Chester. There will be no
necessity to make an explanation.
You can tell him about it at some
future time.'' :.
At the end Of two hours after Miss
Withers' arrival the time appointed for
the wedding arrived, and the butler
was sent to Overaker's room TO awak-
en- him and announce Miss Withers' ar
rival The announcement tended to
arouse the lieutenant, who completed