The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-05-21
BY GEORGE ELMER COBB

open stock shed. He was rather glad
of the company of two horses which
crowded out of the drenching rain
with him. They were docile AMI
friendly. 1t had begun raining just
after the bell of the little crossroads
schoOlhouse called in the odd two
dozen scholars from the playground.
There was no afternoon recess, for the
rain never let up until four o'clock.
By that time the roadway was a rush
ing torrent and the water was up over
the steps of the little frame building.
At its open doorway stood the pretty
schoolteacher, with q dismayed face
noting the grewsome prospect, while
at the windows the pupils crowded
generally, very much entertained by
the novelty of their situation.
Conditions were less discouraging
at the roof shelter. The water had
been over shoe tops for an hour, but
a run of hundred feet in knee-deep
water would have landed Bruce on
the higher level. A sturdy framework
of planks, apparently used as a
bridge across some creek or ditch, had
been swept from its mornings and had
landed directly against the side of the
shelter shed. There came final fear
full downpour, resembling a cloud
burst, Bruce saw that the water had
come up clear over the threshold Of
the little schoolhouse and was pour
ing In over the floor.
Something ought to be done for
those refugees. They'll begin to get
frightened soon. There may be no
danger, but there will be some wall
ing among those little tots when 1t be-
gins to get dark"
Bruce studied the watery waste be-
tween the shed and the schoolhouse,
and then tried to calculate how far the
floating. but stalled platform might be
utilized as a raft. When he waded
around to it the water was up to his
knees, and he doubted not that it was
waist high farther down the slant in
the direction of the marooned pupils
and their teacher. Across one side of
the shed was stretched a long pole be-
yond which food trough had been
placed to contain fodder for the horses.
1t was thick, staunch and secured by
nails at both ends.
1.-THE very thing" decided Bruce,
tore it loose, waded to the platform
and got upon it. Then using the pole
as deftly as he had manipulated ii
when a lad playing the castaway
afloat on home pool, he started his
bulky bark in the direction of the be
leaguered ones Gagged within the little
schoolhouse.
He was inspired nightly to diligent
effort as the schoolmistress appeared
at its door, waving her handkerchief
encouragingly The little ones clus-
tered about her and at the windows
keeping up a babel of excited cries
and cheers. The experiment was q
rare success, and as, for the first time
close at hand, the eyes of Bruce rested
on the lovely face of Aida Wrenn, he
felt all his trouble well recompensed
In the three groups the little ones were
RATED across the expanse to where
Miss Wrenn, fully familiar with the
topography of the vicinity, pointed out
a rising bluff path. Dry shod and
fiuttering with rare excitement, the
little ones dispersed, able to reach
their homes in safety. Miss Wren In
sisted on remaining behind until the
last of her charges were safely deliv.
cred from peril and discomfort.
How can we ever thank you for
your wonderful work." she f1uttered
as she stepped upon the raft. what
is that?" she added, with a quick
backward glance. Then she shuddered
A grinding creak had sounded out; the
underpinning of one end of the school.
house had given way. Lopsided, the
structure toppled and rested four feet
deep in the water, crushing the door
and windows out of shape, a wreck.
Bruce Tyrrell found himself quite O
hero In the eyes of the little commu-
nifty after that. But, still better to his
method of appreciation, he became a
welcome visitor at the Wrenn home
appeared and all the world seemed
sunshine to Bruce, subject of first
attack of that incurable disease-love
There came a cloud over the spirit
of his dreams one day. AS he was
passing through little park square
he diverted his course, but his gaze
was fixed on Aida, seated on a bench
beside young man. a stranger. They
were so very close together that n
seemed to whisper to her at times
Then as they arose to separate, Aidt
seized both hands of the handsome
young fellow and held in a ferven
clasp, meanwhile looking earnestl.
into his eyes.
"Who can he be7 And she?" reflect
ed Bruce in troubled way. "Can it b.
possible that her heart is already en-
gagged and that / am blindly hoping
for love that can never be miner?
Bruce grew depressed and was hal
minded to cease his visits to tn
Wrenn home. He was magnanimou
concerning Aida, for although their re
lations had been friendly she ha'
really never given him any definite en-
enlargement as sutton. She was m
cOquette, he was sure of that, and h
blamed his own sanguine nature TO
the daring presumption that Aida
handclaSp had at times been lingering
and tender, and that her eyes respond
ed sympathetically to his own arden
glances.
81 can hardly break the engage
ment for this evening" mediate
Bruce, "but tomorrow y
Aida and himself were to attend
party at Wildwood, few miles dis
tant on the trolley line. Bruce calle
for her that evening. Never had sh
looked so beautiful. A pretty locke
and chain he had never noticed befor
were her only jewelry adornment:
Bruce sighed as he recalled that bu
for his discovery of the day, he II
tended to present her with a FRIEND
ship ring he carried In his pocket. He
acceptance Of it would have decide
him as to the fact that there was som
real depth TO the interest she hadmar
ifested In him.
And, further. never had she bee