The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-08-07

his way to the door. Out in the vesti-
bule he fingered to throw on his coat,
and presently from merry, chattering
throng she made her way to him.
The wonder Of her sudden presence
there at his side, the smile that was
Enthusiastically for him. held him for
+ the moment speeches..
Il hope the evening has been pleas
ant one" she said and held out her
hand. Billy saw that the hand was
extending to him a small white enve-
lope and took it. Then his dream
abruptly ended.
"a ticket for the mothers meeting
tomorrow, Mr.. Maynard she said.
''Please give it to your wife,
Before his denying lips could even
form a reply she had vanished. 1t was
a decidedly grouchy Billy Thornton
whom his tall friend found in the office
the next day.
"EnJoy the uplift meeting2" Braydon
casually inquired.
"The deucer' answered Billy.
'As to that Miss Wilder" the friend
went on. Happen to know people
who In turn know her. Take you over
to meet her If you like"
Bnly's crouch evaporated. ITO
night?" he asked crisply.
Tonight" replied Braydon
Billy banged down the cover of his
desk in spirit of joyful anticipation.
In ten minutes he would explain all
to her. And after that-well, If he
didn't win out In the old game Of love
it would not be because with all his
heart and soul he had not tried. He
wished that Braydon would refrain
from entering into that old business
problem on the way to the house where
he was to meet her. He wanted to 20
over In his mind the things that he
would say.
Before he realized 1t they were In the
brilliantly lighted reception room and
he was bowling before a sweet faced
woman presented as Mrs. Jack May
nard, who Immediately, taking Billy In
charge, led him to girlish figure at
the farther end of the room.
Miss Wilder" she announced rather
absently and hurried back to his friend.
The zone girl" smiled up at him.
1--WE are not quite strangers" she
said, but I am afraid you forgot to
give the ticket to Mrs. Maynard. She
was absent, noticed, from the after
noon meeting, and you''-
Miss Wilder''-it was the interrupt
ing voice of Braydon-"come here just
a moment, please, to settle dispute"
Billy savagely ground his heel on the
rug as others came to claim the girls
attention, keeping her from him. When
was this silly affair to be Strengthened?
Where was the real Jack Maynard?
Interminably the evening dragged
and no opportunity for further word
with the girl Of his dreams. In her
eyes he was now no doubt just the I'M
interesting husband Of her hostess,
while in his eyes-Billy rapturously
caught his breath as he looked at her
she grew each moment fairer.
In sudden determination he crossed
to where she sat before the piano.
Il want to talk to you,' he said.
The girls fingers rested upon the
keys. Half turning, she looked up at
him.
"EIm not Jack Maynard" Billy
Blurted out desperately, land I'm not
married. 1t was confounded-I beg
your pardon-only a borrowed ticket"
The laughing challenge of her eyes
gave him sudden courage. II have
wanted-no, that's not the world
have desired above all things for
months to meet you," he went on, then
paused. His eyes were saying more.
my name is Thornton" he ended alb
ruptly-"William Thornton"
Miss Jane Wilder arose and stood be-
fore him. II know it." she said quiet
~, land I knew it all along. Back
there at church that day friend point
ed you out to me. Yesterday when
Jack Maynard asked for ticket for
you to the meeting it was l who sug-
gested that he lend you his" She
laughed softly. ut was wicked of me
to pretend" she admitted wicked,
butt did not take you so long to
bring this"-she paused and held out
her hand-"about.s
Fervently Billy grasped the profrered
hand; fervently he bent to look down
into the girls face. Then deep and
happily he sighed. "At lastr' breathed
Billy.