The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-24
THE ADVERTISERS DAILY SHORT STORY

It was such a pleasant October morn ing that as Nellie Morton bent over her sewing machine on the vine-covered porch bit of song leaped to her hpi and bubbled forth: very sweet it sound i ed in spite of untrained voice and care less singer. As soon as 1t reached th' | ears Kent stopped with an expression | of half-incredulous pleasure. and turn | ing a cold shoulder upon previous en, agreements, he swung open the gate ana strode up the steps.
 'of ali things wonderful" he said, lift ing his hat as she arose to greet. him to see you at a sewing machine is the most marvellous
 Nellie colored a little and resumed her
 seat. .,. startling phenomenon little longer-un- Ill l finish these aprons, she returned carelessly.
 "Oh, I assure you the shock was by no
 means painful" he replied and sprung
 to seat upon the porch railing. wCuld not interrupt your work Tor the
 world. Nor" he added mentally. alter one feature of this charming picture for all the stars in the heavens So that is what you call aprons IS
 it." he queried presently, ~2S Nellie lean
 ed back in her chair to turn down a hem. .., -,.
 Looks like strong stuff" he com
 mented, are you going to wear then down to the office?'
 Nellie laughed merrily. Goodness, no. These are for old Sue. Are they?" he questioned absently. thinking the while how far more charm ing she was this way than when she
 was tailor made
 50 you are putting in your holiday
 making aprons for old Sue?'
 Yes: that is the really remarkable
 part of 1t: That l should be doing some l.. oI1I, 1Ia A h
 1t rarely ever occurs to me to do.'
 T don't believe that" he announced pluntly. while his eyes contentedly fol- lowed the movement of her slim deft fingers. They showed very white against
 the dark blue gingham,
 We'll. it is'true. This is the first. act
 of spontaneous Kindness that have been guilty of for month. "A dress like that would be everlast-
 lngly becoming to you-made out of finer stuff, of course"
 why. no; this is really good quality. It would make very neat dresses for housework," she explained ctvilsy, as she slipped the hem under the foot of the machine.
 The young man felt inclined to pinch himself to make sure he was awake That this could really be their precise stenogra pher. He had always admired her gold -glinted hair and long lashed eyes. But that those stern lips could | part in merry laughter or careless sing E. | should ever sit beside her sewing ma | chine and discuss dresses. an hour ago l he would have held one of the most i'm probable of occurrences. | Do you like this sort of thing?" he | asked. when Nellie raised her head. | Why yes" she replied easily. | Better than office work?" My office work is very pleasant" she
 replied. l listed.
 | Human beings are rarely absolutely | satisfied she remarked. A friend oi mine has a dear little home and nothing
 to do but stay in it and enjoy taking | care of it. and vet she enVies me th' l privilege of wearing nothing but tailor
 made suits and lunching every day ir l T restaurant
 And you envy her the home life and | it's freedom?' he asked quickly. | Nellie smiled thoughtfullv | No" she said slowly T cannot say | that I envy her. l am too well satisfied
 with my own lot in life; but there are | ines when home life looks rather more | attractive than public importance There | now. that finishes the machine work "Is that all YOU are going to do tC | it. Why not put ruffie on it?'
 Wednesdays story. "A CHRISTMAS T