The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-12-04


ject to get at" he said apoiogetically
but I'll do my best from these In
structions"
Lets see," interrupted the girl. And
in a moment it was her pencil that was
flying across the pages Of Billy's note
book.
'Therew she said at last, raising a
sparkling, glowing face THAT covers
the subject pretty well, think. And
nOw'-with a childish movement she
held the book behind her back-"prom
Use before l give it to you, solemnly
promise, that you won't open this
won't read a word of ii, till you are
back In the Office"
tits some trick, then,'' said Billy
sadly. Il knew it was too good tc
be true"
Promise" demanded the girl. "My
hand on it." she added quickly.
Billy glanced into the teasing, tempt
ing eyes, down at the little proffered
hand, then surrendered
Gross your heart" laughed the girl
Gross my heart said Billy.
Over the soft hand he held close in
his own he saw suddenly a woman's
erect form approaching, a woman with
fine, intelligent features and white
severely brushed hair.
Blushing confusedly, the girl with
drew her hand, leaving In it's place the
reporters book.
"Auntie," she said, "I'n be with you
directly"
"Goodby," she added meaningly as
with new hopefulness Billy waited
"Goodby," the girl repeated and, pick
ing up her yellow cat, passed swiftly
through the garden gate.
Dazedly Billy glanced after them
''The WITCH" he muttered. What non
sense has she scrubbed in that book
Nothing to do with the case, Of course
Billy Atkins, you've been cleverly dis.
posed of, and just when you might
have landed real copy"
But there was his promise. Jove
He could still feel the firm clasp OF
that little hand A very pleasant and
heretofore unknown sensation trem.
bled about the region Of BiIly's honest
heart.
"Jovep he murmured again and
laughed softly.
What luckw cried Brothers as Billy
tried to pass unseen into the seclusion
Of his office. He must read her mes.
sage alone. Half an hour later he
rushed about wildly, his voice trium-
plant.
What luck?'' he cried. what luck
Well, just about the best ever. Full
and comprehensive article, personal
touch, too, because it was written by
the lady herself"
"Oh, come off" jeered Brothers, but
Billy was back in his room reading
again personal postscript
You're to be congratulated" he read
upon having this enIivening article
direct from the pen Of the author, for
poor little l am the author Aunt is
only my amanuensis. l couldn't HELM
1t, could !, because you got us mixed !
I'm doing this to make up for my dis
agreeable remark as to the preference
for eats and here's hoping for that
promotion. Yours, Helene Fleming"
Billy closed his eyes in smiling rem
infscence, then rushed to the phone.
May come out tonight" he begged
his unseen listener, ito try at least to
speak my gratitude?"
There was silence for a moment.
"Unless," he added humbly, you still
have preference for yellow catsY'
"If," answered Miss Fleming sweet
ly, you can overcome your aversion
to a female encyclopedia
Coming now" cried Billy.
'Righto,'" laughed the learned
Helene.
The hours seemed long to Billy while
waiting for his watch to tell him that
it was proper hour to call. He took
1t out so often that once he thought 1t
had stopped and put it to his ear to
test 1t. But when the hands stood at
7:30, the time he had set for starting,
he began a journey that should have
required twice the time he gave it.
The days were still long, and he was
informed that he would find the au-
thoress where he had met her before
In the garden. There he went and
there we leave them.