The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1919-05-13

NOuiulI HSlp UelIlS CuIAOuS. oue Eedu
r. A. upon the card. Her rudeness
came over her with q qualm.
"I-Tve heard about you from the
Bensons," she said humbly. "T'm so
sorry"
! Sorry that you've heard about me?"
He laughed to put her at her ease.
"You mean the Hyland Bensons, sup
pose. know his landscapes"
. They're the people that are to meet
me at Florence" Barbara whimpered.
| "I've been rude. You'll think me aw-
full. But"-here her spirit sprang to
self-defense-'yo know what you sug-
gested."
| "You believe me now to be a gentle
man of honorT
"Oh, don'tl That isn't kind. 1t
hurts"
Forgive me-" Crosby said. "But
want you to understand me. 1 had,
and still have, very good reason for
asking you to stop off with me at Pra-
TO. The Fra Filippo Lippis were only
an excuse"
r.. Inc reaSOnF
There was a furry In Barbara's
breast. Was he going to be foolish,
after all? Other men had been fool
ish; they had even praised her turned
up nose. But she knew she wasn't
pretty; at least, she didn't think so.
: "It is not personal one," Crosby an
swered.
And Barbara-she didn't know why
was little hurt
what Is 1t, them"
II cannot tell you; but 1t Is a very
potent one. I beg you to believe me
when say that it is necessary-really
necessary-that you leave this train
with me at Prato."
! II don't see why"
! 'Then I shall go with you to Flor
ence."
Barbara wondered.
"But that wouldn't do as WELL" he
added gravely. eff you will get out
with me at Prato-and you must-I
shall tell you the reason as soon as the
train has left the station"
"Why not now"
II have told you that cannot. The
next train for Florence will be along
in couple of hours. will telegraph
the Partridges. While you are waiting
I shall stay with you, or leave you.
just as you choose. My purpose will
then be fulfilled"
His purposei
Are you trying to see if you can
command mep Barbara asked him
sharply. men are strong; but women
are stubborn"
II don't command; beg. You will
thank me. The Partridges will thank
me. A gentleman would never be as
rude as have been unless he had
good reason"
/ The word rude" stung her.
| Here's Prato now. viii you trust
met" His eyes Joined his voice in
pleading with her.
Barbara had never yet been beaten
by man. Her pride still bristled up
when the train put on the brakes.
won't you trust me2" He asked
1t as a favor.
She wondered now If she would
yield. The train clattered to a full
stop. Crosby opened the door of the
compartment.
Come" he said, commanding.
Barbara followed him. He said
nothing till the train had gone.
"Will you tell me why I'm here"
Barbara asked him pertly.
Eyes. But / want to compliment you
first upon your fortitude. An English
girl would have acted differently. If
Il had known you from the first, l
might have decided not to speak to
you, after ALL"
i "You don't like me?" said Barbara.
I''That's too bad"
II like you very much" he answered.
/. did you make me get out just to
tell me that?"
mo"
"Why, them"
"Did you notice that italian in the
carr"
ut is not my custom to notice stran-
gers" Then she added, to soothe away
the sting: Especially when they are
foreigners asleep"
HE wasn't asleep" said Crosby.
His hat was down. You couldn't see.
1 sat opposite. His throat was on
from ear to ear"