The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23

petually throwing herself on the hear
er's mercy. Il presume she considered
it her duty to-er-to me-"
''Yes?" said Anne, encouragingly. 81
am so sorry you had the long journey,
Mrs. Rigsby."
"Oh, don't mind, if-if it's not too
late. Do you think it is, my dear?
Be perfectly frank with me-" /;
Anne smiled, glanced at the little
green leather-encased clock over on
her desk, and sat down.
Lets be comfortable while we talk.
It's early yet for any of my customers
to be stirring"
Mrs. Rigsby looked around her ap-
praisingly. "You have a very dainty
little shop"
Its hardly that" answered Anne,
smiling. II have morning display
twice week here and over at the,
Ponce de Leon. l represent a New
York house."
"Oh, yes, certainly" said Mrs. Rigs
by, rather vaguely. Florrie had said
the young person that Courtney was
interested in kept a shop or something,
down at Palm Beach. She had not
specified what sort Of shop. "You sell
things for them? It's so clever of you;
and you are young, too, aren't your
was half afraid you might be over
thirty-flve, and a widow, don't you
know"
Anne flushed slightly at the person
al touch, but she kept her head. She
had not been looking forward to this
situation for a week without some
mental preparation.
81 am twenty-six, Mrs. Rigsby."
"Are you, really2 You look younger.
And don't mind admitting one bit,
my dear, that you are wonderfully at
tractive. Courtney always did have
good taste. It's such relief to find
you as you are, don't you know"
II suppose So" Anne assented gen.
tly. After all, even if she did put one
on psychological pinpoint, so to
speak, for analysis, she was Courtney's
mother.
Somehow, though, felt that could
come to you and speak directly, and
that you would understand. Courtney
seems to be in love with you, but, oh,
my dear, If you only knew Courtney
as l do He is the most irresponsible
boy alive. He doesn't know his own
mind two minutes at time How far
has it gone? Is it just a Irritation, or
has 1t got to the proposing stagef"
Anne laughed at this, remembering
Courtney's desperate struggle for ex-
preston when he had reached the
proposing stage" 1t had been quite
two weeks ago. She had deity held
him at arms length. 1t was not alto
gether a pleasant experience, being
wooed by the most eligible young man
at the resort; especially as she want
ed the good will of all the women, who
might turn out possible customers.
| But Courtney had put up a splendid
chase. He had not logged her foot
steps nor worried her during her bust
ness hours. But he had found her
down on the golf links after four, and
after a game they had taken a long,
restful stroll back to the hotel. Then
he had found that she loved to ride,
and every morning, before the hotel
was fairly astir, there had been two
horses waiting, and a swift, gorgeous
run down the beach and back before
breakfast.
you know, Anne" he had said, bach
in those first happy, unconscious weeks
of their acquaintance, II don't think
I'm going to fall in love this time, hon
estly / don't. It's such a bully com
radeship, this affair of ours, don't yor
know, and the minute you start in max
ing love you always lose a good pal
You're not in love with me, are your
''Not in the least" Anne had assured
him merrily.
Then there had come a day wher
her horse had taken fright on the bluff
road. She had not realized at frs
til 1t swerved from the road and start
ed over the rolling downs, straight TO
the edge of the bluffs.
1t was a sheer drop of hundreds O
feet to the rock below. Just for an In
slant wave of sickening dread hat
swept over her as she thought Of tn
plunge downward, and then Courtne,
had seized her bride and it was al
over When he had brought her hors
to q standstill, trembling and covere,
with foam-like hoarfrost on TANKS an
shoulders, she had slipped down int
his arms in sheer relief. There ha
not even been words, or the need 0
them. He had held her close to hin
shuddering and unnerved, and just 70
once she had been glad to feel an
others strength. For many years sh
; had depended on herself.
And after that it had all come abou
naturally-their realization that life
particular meaning for them mean
love and companionship.
but you'll have to be mighty swee
and patient With me, pal Of mine,