The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1919-02-18
"PhilIp, II Is-It Is-You, After All"

how they came back to her And he
was coming to her because he thought
she was still true to him as she had
once said she would always be. ANY
great shock might be harmful"-if he
came with high hopes, far across the
continent, to meet a refusal-what
would happen? Yet, she told herself,
she must not consider that; the ques-
ton was-did she love him?
With low moan of inner anguish
she walked to the bed and lay down
upon it, trying to find, hoping and
praying that she could find a way out
Her thoughts went over the old and
happy days with him in the faraway
home town; his CHEEKY voice sounded
again, and his big-hearted ways fresh
ened in her memory.
Yet, even as she thought, her mind
pictured Philip, grave and kind, be-
loved in the village, always gentle.
tender and patient. What should she
do? What was right for her to do?
Elmer was coming that warning
note from his sister told her that !;
Philip had been patiently waiting, and
she had been about to answer, Eyes"
to the question hesitating on his lips.
Yet
The faint, silvery chimes of the
clock in the hall had echoed through
the house the strokes of eight o'clock
before she reached her decision; and
calmly, like one who had found peace
through a decision touched by the i'm
mortal beauty of sacrifice, she arose
to pause with freshly beating heart.
She heard outside the even, meas
ured steps of Doctor Wenton, and a.
moment later the ring Of the bell. For
a wild moment she felt that she could
not face him; then, setting her will,
she went quietly down the stairs to
meet him.
His hand held hers without releas-
ing it, as his grave, blue eyes looked
into her face with glance that touch
ed her with caress that was both
alteration and homage.
After the familiar greetings she
drew him aside and breathlessly she
told him what her decision was He
did not stir; only the slow, tense
clenching of his left hand told her his
mental stress. When she had finished,
it seemed to her that the room was
throbbing with the pulsations of her
, heart.
His voice was vibrant with effort
as he said: IF you love him, and can
understand how you might, now that
you know he is himself again, there Is
nothing else for you to do. ! wish
well, wish you happiness, lots of it,
all the years
He rose and stepped to the door.
She stifled low "Oh, Phillip" upon
her lips.
He paused at the door, held out his
hand bit huskfly. MY dear, my dear
-" Then he turned away abruptly.
Hardly had lie passed from view
when up the walk came another figure /;
| and weak with the strain Of Philips
I parting, she fairly swayed with faint
ness as she found herself greeting Ell
mer.
1t was with difficulty that she man.
aged to light the lamp in the room,
while his CHEEKY voice with its old-time
merrines9 went on.
don wonder you are surprised,
Edna. for wanted to surprise you,
j all hax oh Woodland
! haven't, | guess, but those two years,
! you know-queer to have two blanks
B in your memory. However," his face
shadowed-"what counts now is the
future"
! They schatted for little while OF
this and that, old friends and old days
and suddenly he leaned forward.
Edna, l have come all these miles
to find out" Then, as he sought fol
words, she said quietly:
Il am ready to marry you, Elmer
whenever you are ready"
He jumped up, came to her and put
his arms around her, his voice shak
ing. Little girl, have you been faith
full to me all through this?"
She did not hesitate. 81 came very
near to loving some one else, but
have been true, because / thought
you mght-come back some time"
He kissed her gently. you guessed
right"
Then they talked Of plans, but witt
the glow of her sense Of sacrifice fol
him gene, her heart was lead within