The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-07-16
Copyright. 1918, BY the Reu svnaIcate,

Copyright. 1918. b
~ N
just around the corner. Send in your
card. Dads heard enough about you,
even if you've never met. Dwell
strongly upon my career, Bess, and
how we've counted upon coming home
together"
The girl laughed softly. "You, boy"
she said.
"Tm twenty-one," he declared, "and
older than you, child, if you have an
extra year"
The infectious enthusiasm which
had sent Miss Blakeslee forth on her
mission as intercessor died suddenly
as she awaited her lovers father.
"Why on earth had she come, and now
that she was here what should she
say?"
The young worNan who haughtily
took the card from her trembling
fingers was the dread charmer whom
Billy feared. What influence could
one have against the fascination of
such tenderly curling hair or crimson
lips? Bess sighed, and tried vainly
to compose an Introductory speech.
She had just got as far as "Mr Pow
ers, I am here in the interest of your
son." when the charmer beckoned, and
she found herself In the presence of
gravely smiling man, whose hand
was outstretched toward her.
ST am glad" he said, sto meet Bnly's
friend" And then all at once the set
speech vanished, and Bess sitting in
the wide office chair, was Joining inter-
estedly in a conversation touching
upon golf, automobiles and sailing.
Billys father was so much younger
and better looking than she had ex-
pected that she could sympathize more
in the feelings of the blonde stenog
rapher, perhaps after all, hers was
not merely a mercenary affair.
There was a certain movie actor, with
whitening hair about the temples,
who much resembled Billy's father.
The thought of this actors many trou-
bled love affairs brought Bess alb
ruptly looking back to the purpose of
her present visit, but how to start the
subject tactfully.
Billy" she began tentatively, ''takes
me much into his confidence. He is
terribly anxious to get through col
lege and begin the practice of medi-
cine. He has so counted upon start
ing in his own home-your home"
She paused lamely, then leaned for
ward with sudden confidence, "and he
has been so worried for fear, you may
marry and spoil his career. But of
course you would never do that, a
man of your age must live his life.
This Is Billy's chance, Billy's tine for
success, and joy, and-love."
Lover" repeated the man quickly.
sand you are my sons mediator? Can
1t be possible, then, that you are also
interested in Billy's career2"
The hot blood rushed furiousIy to
the girls face, as she sat beneath his
searching gaze. II want Billy to be
happy" she stammered.
"And want to be happy" the man
answered impatiently. 81 do not agree
with you that my life has been lived"
Billy's father smiled a strangely win
ming, pathetic sort of smile. "The
past has been none too happy" he
said. Il am hoping that the best is
yet to come. So make no false prom
ises. You may tell my son that from !
me, little intercessor."
She looked back, vaguely troubled, !
as he babe her good afternoon, at the |
elevator door. Later, as Billy drove
her home through the park, they came
upon the big Powers auto, stationary, |
near wide sweep of meadow. Billy's |
father was in the front seat, and be-
side him the pretty stenographer. Bess
glanced up sharply at Billy's mutter-
ed ejaculation, and she fancied the |
trace of smile as his fathers eyes
met hers.
'Darn the luck" cried the boy de-
jectedly, IF you couldn't make him
see the folly of this thing, Peaches,
somebody's got to talk to the girl"
IT DON'T" she told him.
"All right" answered Billy deter
minedly, "then will"
Bess came upon the two not long
after that In her favorite tea room.
Biily's father was talking earnestly,
rapidly, while the girl listened silent.
ly attentive. Bess seemed to imme-
diateIy lose her appetite for luncheon
it was all so hopeless for Billy.
And presently, when the little stenog-
rapher had smilingly left him, Mr..
Powers came over to her table.
"Well." he asked pleasantly, show
are affairs and Billy2" And when
he offered to drive her home Bess de-
cided to accept, and taking advantage
Of the time, to make q final plea. But
Billy's father proved such an agree
able companion that she abandoned
her plan on the way, and gave her
self up to the enjoyment of the hour. \
After all 1t was hard that man so
congenial and kind must spend his
days alone in great vacant house.
OF course there would be Billy, and
later, Billy's wife, but the more Bess
thought about it-well, strange to say,
the more her heart ached for the ia
Their.
Billy, too, grew morbid - dis
traught. She couldn't quite make him
out. For hours he would sit pull
ing away on that ill-smelllng pipe, only
to jump up suddenly and rush away.
She supposed he was realizing the dis
couragement of the situation. Often
er, and still oftener she met Billy's
father In company with the blonde
siren. And 'ghen he would leave the
girl to come over and speak to Bess,
a pleased light seemed to linger in his
eyes. Then, one never-to-be-forgotten
night came Bllly's voice over the tele-
phone wire, and when he had finished
speaking, Bess sat there dazed and
white. She smiled presently. queer
twisted smile at the heartless selfish
ness Of him.