The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-07-16
cWollie's
German Spy
@0
BY AGNES G. BRoGAN


The light in Billy Mays eyes deep
ened as he looked at his sister, hover
ing over her flowers. In Blllys YER
nacular, Mollie was "his only excuse
for living"
Long years before when the little
orphaned sister had piteously held Out
her arms to him, Billy had pledged
her his life's devotion, and she had re.
paid. 1t had been no easy task to lay
aside the coveted career and to take
up as a necessity to her advancement
the first opportunity offered In coun-
try village. Being rural mail carrier
had made 1t possible for "Angel" to
have her education and the usual ac-
complishments BETTING modern
young woman. That is what Billy had
named the girl when her starry eyes
spoke their gratitude from beneath q
aureole of golden hair, and "Angel''
she had remained.
College life had not spoiled Mollie
for the village: she but returned with
new enthusiasms and plans for his
home makings He came to her now
across the garden, his hand held
YEARLY against his throbbing temples.
"Angel." he said, unsteadlly, "some-
things wrong. The heat, / guess, yes
terday. 1t was hard riding so long In
the sun. The whole place seems to be
swimming around and, Angel"
eTNhu Tf11r1 Oh nrao5 n..S ol-
concern, you must lie down this min
ute and not stir again today"
There was nothing for it but to
obeyI passively he allowed himself to
be led back across the lawn, CRATE
fully his eyelids closed as Mollle drew
the blinds of his room. Then sudden
ly his eyes again opened.
1.-THE mail route" he fretted. tDe-
livery at nine o'clock has to be made,
Mollie; no one else to do it."
Painfully Billy endeavored to rise,
but Mollie forestalled him.
''Well," she answered, cheerfully, ''if
the trip has to be made, it will be.
I'll go myself"
"The road" he grumbled, as new
to you, Angel, just cut through in
some places, lonely as"
"Billyl" she cried, exasperated, "as
If Pm not riding alone around the
country all the time. Well, see here.
If you are bound to be afraid, let me
take your revolver. Surely, If / don't
slow down / can hold your spy at bay
In the offing' and speed away"
Billy was laughing with her now, but
nevertheless he inspected his weapon
of protection and handed it over with
glance of admiration to the little
sister.
In the outer room Mollie lifted the
gun gingerly, and removed its load
ings.
There" she sighed in relief, at Is
safe now. 1t could still brighten hands
off and I'd never pass another peace
full night If 1 were to shoot even a
German spy"
Up and down the broad, winding
road sped the small red car. The new
mail deliverer was prompt and eff
cient, not a moment did she lose and
the task was most exhilarating. In
the wind-blown cheeks the color Deep
ened. about the blue bandeau the fair
curls twisted merrily, then all at once
Mollie bent desperately to her levers
A figure appeared before the car in
the center of the road, and to avoid
running the figure down seemed i'm
possible. She must be quick Or.
Mollie closed her eyes in sick appre-
hension even as she sought the brakes.
When she opened them again the car
was painting and throbbing from It's
sudden check, and the man saved from
danger stood near enough to touch her
with his hands. He was leaning heav-
lily upon a stout stick, evidently some
fallen branch, and his steely eyes look
ing straight into hers, awakening her
to a quick remembrance of past fear.
Might this not be high-handed way
of holding up a cara car and Uncle
Sans mail? The man was certainly
foreign in appearance. ~
The face seemed all at once stamped
upon Mollie's memory and while she
sat stupidity regarding him, the man
spoke brusquely, with a decided Ger
man accent.
eff you please" he said, ''I must
ask to be carried in your car. have
injured my ankle and passing convey
ances are rare"
Without awaiting her reply, his hand
reached boldly for the knob of the car
door; then Mollie came back to rea-
son.
"One moment" she said, sweetly,
''the opening is difficult" and bent
over as If to assist him. But in that
moment her hand found the revolver
In her skirt pocket and its shining
barrel was on a level with the mans
astonished face.
's1f you move, or try to enter the
car" said Mollie, still in that slow,
sweet tone, II will shoot"
An instant more and the car flew
down the road, leaving the intruder
staring at something shining at his
feet.
"Jovei" he muttered, dazedly, and
stopped to pick up the revolver. Evil
IDENTIFY this most unusual girl had
dropped the instrument of protection
in her flight.
"Jovel" the man muttered again;
this time in amused perplexity, for the
revolver was unloaded; with this
harmless toy she had held him FOR a
moment in breathless terror.
And Mollie speeding down the broad
highway, determined to tell Billy
nothing about it all. When he was
better perhaps anxiety might not so
trouble him.
He looked up refreshed from sleep
as she entered.
rGee" he greeted her, 81 am glad
that trip is over. / am better. You
must leave me this evening and go
over to Warwick's, as you had
planned"
IF it were not such an unusual OPP
portunity to meet a notable" Mollie
said, 81 would not think Of leaving
you, Billy. But fancy the privilege of
seeing with ones own eyes q great
artist. 1t is pure luck
Anna Warwick happening to be his
favorite cousin and thus persuading
the parsonage not only to meet her
village friends but to talk to them
upon Art Across the Seas
"He has refused all invitations here
tofore and the flattering hospitality Of
New York. So If you are sure you
will not mind my going, Billy"
And Billy was very sure that he did
not mind. Mollie almost forgot the
incident of the morning
as she arrayed herself in her new and