The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-28
BABLO'S WIFE.

architect: T don't believe we can ever catch a glimpse of your peculiar linn its-I mean the limits of your pecul- iarities. As soon as we think we have you specified you change color and an, nounce yoursek-another species" For weeks at time Bablo would live in the most absurd of whims. a vagrant: then he would settle down into a sort of genteel frigidity. How handsome he was. tall, graceful; and how winning he could be when he SC: himself to it. Men liked him, and over him raved women who wrote poetry. They said that he designed poems in brick and stone, and this | was true.
 once. on a visit to Kentucky, he went out to the blue grass stock farm of Major Bill Hills. Bablo and the Majors youngest brother had gone to school together. My distinguished friend,' said the Major. lowing Bablo into the old house. ''it is with pleasure that I see you enter my home. sir. My brother John was most devoted to you, sir. And in his last hours he talked of you. An. my daughter, this is MT. Baolo. You have often heard of him." A young woman came forward. She was tall and dark and the rose in her hair looked almost black. Show me your garden, your flowers" said Bab- 10, almost staring at her. so struck was he by her strange beauty. The Major waved them out of the house. Bablo walked behind her. charmed with her grace. You would make one forget all law" he unused. You would set at defianse the oath of a saint" Down a path between nodding roses they walked. Once she, touched his arm. He started. Did a briar reach over and stick your" she asked, ard he answered.: "I have dav dozes some- times. and dreamed that I was struck by lightning"
 "oh! Are you as queer ns Uncle John said you were?"
 'I don't know how queer he said I was."
 "oh. ever so queer. He said you scorned women. But that isn't true, is it?"
 Well. if I were to scorn one that know I'd get the forst of it.
 "One of those new women?"
 "Oh, no, a perfect lady-and a moth CT. the mother of my boy"
 "Oh. your wife. You didn't tell me you were married"
 Well, I did as soon as I mad time. I don't often tell it so soon. But in this instance thought 1t best to blurt it out at once.''
 "Why?" she asked, looking down. The path was narrow. and she was close to him. Down upon her beauti- full neck and gauze-covered shoulders he gazed. with his eyes half closed. "Why7"
 v You know why. You knew 1t the moment our eyes met"
 "Yes-how very queer YOU are" she said. and a rose that leaned over and touched her was thrilled-and quivered. "I--I told Uncle John that I should like so much to meet you-but don't know now-that-- Shall we go back to the house?"
 Yes. very soon. By the way, did any man ever kill himself on your &C., count?"
 What a funny question. Why do you ask that?'
 Because. when look at you, fan cied that away off somewhere I saw a man. driven to despair. hanging him. self on tree"
 Upon him she turned her wonderful eyes, dawn eyes. with the sun coming up away back behind them. Her lips were half open, flashing a pearl. Did any one tell you that?" she asked.
 Yes"
 "WhoF'
 You your grace your - some - something that makes a mans throat tight when he looks at you"
 "A man who had asked me to marry him killed himself-and in my room grieved for days. regretting that l had not"
 Why didn't you marry him?"
 Didn't love him."
 Does love mean SO much to you?"
 More than to any woman in the world. And when the time comes for me to love. I shall be insane with joy"
 "Yes." he said. "Every line. every motion speaks of delirium. You would love madly."
 She laughed. And one of those days I may kill myself for loving too much"
 NO. The man you love will love you If he did not God would curse him." q .
 Do let us go back to the house."
 A week passed. Bablo's duties call ed him. but he would not go. Every day he said tomorrow" But the next day found him still standing up- on the "crumbling brink" But his duties called louder, blew a trumpet III ms Sdrs ana one nlBnJ ne Sdlu 10 the girl, "I must go tomorrow"
 T am sorry-for. to be frank. you are the only companion I have ever known. And p&pa is so fond of you. He loved Uncle John so deeply that he took up all his likes and dislikes And Uncle thought the world of you"
 T am going tomorrow before you get up."
 Why. aren't you going to tell me good bye?"
 Yes. tonight" -:
 Why not tomorrow"
 Because. if 1 see you tomorrow will not go.
 Don't say that to me, Mir. Bablo, . and after a pause she added: Tell me more about your wife,"
 "Oh, I have told you enough"
 She must be a happy woman, there in that beautiful house by the lake"
 she is not unhappy"
 And what is your little boys name?
 "John-for your unCle."
 "Oh. l should like so much to See him"
 You must-you shall. Three weeks from now. by the time the weather is hot. you and the Major are coming to my house."
 Did pape say SOP"
 "Yes. Why shouldn't he accept the invitation?"
 "Oh. he should, of course. Then OUT good bye needn't be so sad after and - if we are to see each other So ,s,1 k.a