The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-11-19

of it, and when Uncle Adam died and
left me $4,000, 1 feel that 1 ought to
invest 1t In my voice instead of, say,
real estate or stocks"
"But what If you do succeed? What
If you are trained into a wonderful
singer? You can't go over the coun-
try singing and keep house, too, can
you"
'That's further along"
"You mean you admit that you
can't"
"Oh, Tom, don't be unreasonable.
I'm not admitting anything, Can't
you see that IL You don't want
to understand, that's ALL"
Perhaps l don't" he said gently.
and turning, walked out of the gate.
Like most males, Tom had only one
point of view, that was his own. He
had always pictured for himself fu-
ture that included Laura and some
chubby, rollicking children in a neat
little single bungalow, of which he
already had drawn the plans. No
OAtC hAAC"f NV CNCn that he mao
plans for the bungalow, because that
was all he did have. He intended
soon, when the promised raise in sal
airy arrived, to join the building and
loan association. That was as near
as he had got to possessing a home.
He had just about saved enough to
buy Laura an engagement ring, when
the bomb of Uncle Adams death had
burst suddenly about his ears and
shattered all his fond hopes for the
future. How much more sensible If
would be for Laura to put her heri-
tage into property, say a neat little
bungalow or something of the sort, in
stead Of a rainbow vision that would
melt away in the hot sun of disillu-
sion. For, of course, it was only a
rainbow vision. He was sure of that.
He had never taken any stock in mu-
sic.
After the night In the garden, find
ing that he could not dissuade Laura
from her purpose, Tom assumed the
role of the injured, and disregarded all
overtures of peace.
Laura, heavy-hearted, but unde-
tered, got her clothes ready. packed
said good-by to her aunt, and DEPART
ed on the morning express one dav
In late May, without one word or
line of farewell from Tom.
A year passed. Vague runnors had
reached the little town of Laura's sue
cess, rumors undoubtedly disquieting
to Tom. In his heart he had hoped
she would fail-a costly experiment.
he acknowledged, but the best thing
for them both. He had given her
so long to discover the volatility of
fame and music. and had even hauled
out the old dust-covered plans for the
house.
But he had failed to consider that
Laura had some foundation to be
gin with, and that two thousand dol.
lars will go farther when one is stay
ing with relatives. The rumors were
disquieting, but when they were re-
peatedly verified and he began to see
notices in the papers he gave up com
pletely. He put the plans away again
and enlisted before the draft.
Another year passed, busy year
for Tom, year in which he learned
many things. For one, he discovered
that the world is big place. with big
people who have big ideals and broad
fair minds. He found that his OWL
point of view didn't count for much
In the general scheme of things any
more than the fly on the elephants
Dack could lead the parade; that one
lives not for himself but for the good
OF humanity, and that sacrifice brings
the greatest happiness one can know
HIS thoughts were full of Laura
these days. As spring advanced and
the ilacs In the farmers gardens
spread their fragrance through the all
and the blossoms In the orchards
waited their sweetness of promise
| across the fields, a queer sort of rest
lessness seized him. He felt that he
would give up anything he possessed
or had ever hoped for for q sight OF
her. He knew not where she was. Il
was months since he had heard any.
thing about her at all. The old aunt
had left South Greenwich and no one
else seemed to know.
There was a concert that night In
the \. NJ. G. A. Every one was shaw.
lag and putting on clean shirt to go
But Tom wandered across the road