The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-05

to avoid him for the last week or two,
never permitting him TO be alone with
her. Montgomery had decided TO settle
the matter finally. He wrote her an
earnest letter with a touch OF his Old
manliness IN It, pleading his case and
begging for a speedy answer. And now
IL lay In front OF him. Finally he opened
It and spread 1t out on the desk. IL
began In the old. old way:
My Dear Mr.. Montgomery: l have
Just received your letter and ] am so
sorry about IT, Believe me. | never
imagined that you cared for me In that
way at all. 1 know that you have been
at my home great deal since MI
Lowndes ueath, but I imagined IL was
only besause you were lonely without
him and needed my companionship.
did not realize what was coming. For
your own sake L must be firm and tell
YOU that there can never be any hope.
| know IL sounds cruel to you but
never loved anyone but Homer, and
never can think of anyone else. / want
you to let me remain your best friend
always. Very sincerely yours,
ALICE ELISE TRAVERS.
Montgomery sat staring at the sigma
ture with burning eyes. so Lowndes
had robbed him after all.
While he was trying TO think the thing
out calmly. his eye caught sight Of the
other letter. For the sake eof temporary
mental distraction ne opened It, AS soon
as he saw the first line his brain gave
another throb.
MY dear cousin" Il began. II am
delighted TO renew our acquaintance
though grieved 10 make a letter OF this
character its object. You may be slight
iy surprised to hear from me 4 having
been buried over six months. but to be
brief, 1 found an obligfng proxy who
consented 10 carry out our arrangements
on my behalf.
Between 1 and o'clock the next
morning after a hard days thinking.
was incoming around in the park when
I came across a body on the rocks BY
the drive In the moonlight / could see
that the man evidently had fallen from
the bridge. He was dressed like a COM
mon tramp, and as his features were
pretty well mashed up, brilliant idea
struck me.
I changed clothes with him. II isn't
necessary 10 go any further. I imme-
diately got away and didn't hear OF tho
windfall from my uncle for some weeks
While not starving at present, am not
I'm the most afiiuent circumstances in
the world and Il annoys me to think Of
my fortune from winch you are deriving
all the benefit l have kept quiet for
a half year and I would not come 70
the front again unless absolutely nee
essary. Nevertheless. ] want a share
OF my money and IL 1 get IL. you'll never
hear from me again 1 am aware that
you have the whole amount in bank
near you, and 1 have estimated that
you will receive this in time TO draw it
out before closing time and bring Il in
person to l., on the 610 train. Some
time ago / met woman who thinks
there is some good IN me. I think the
same about her. to the exclusion OF any
thoughts OF Alice Accordingly, we trust
each other. She addressed this letter,
and she will be at the station at L.
dressed in black with a white feather In
her hat. l will give her a receipt for the
money
Il will need 5000 which leaves you
more than half. II. A. l.
Montgomery emitted single great
groan expressive OF his inability to cone
with the paradoxes Of destiny. Re
turned the letter over and carefully read
It again. Then burylng his face in his
hands he tried 20 still the fierce beating
of his temples.
Finally looking az his watch, he slowly
reached one hand out after his check
book.