The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-18
AFTER LONG GRIEF AND
 PAIN.

Indeed. mo-" Mrs. West was saying suavely to the Society editor. She was always polite to to newspaper peo- pie from motives of self-interest. Any announcement of an -ngagemeht would be decidedly premature. Neither Julia nor I would like 1t. and @m sure. my dear Miss Jones. that you will be discreet"
 deny the report7"
 deny the repotr?"
 No: not exactly that; you had pest say nothing. The Senator's attentions --she paused at a loss for a word.
 This time Miss Jones laughed softiy. "He was at the opera with you twice last week-something so unusual or his part that people are asking ms ln- tentions."
 Mrs. West xmiled in return. "Yes. bur we have known him so long. l assume you that when there is anything to tell you shall have the first news. Now, you will please excuse me. I have an en- gagement at II o'clock. Good morning. Miss Jones was smiling to herself when q moment later she passed through the portieres into the writing room. She started slightly when she recognized it's one occupant.
 Good morning. Miss Lewis; you are here early"
 "Yes. I want to catch Mrs. voss be- fore she goes out"
 "New member from North Caro- lina?" Miss Jones asserted rather than asked.
 A bellboy entered with the informa- ton that Mrs. vose was out.
 Miss Jones' quick eye saw Miss Lewis countenance fall. She had taken fancy to the pretty little wom- an who had come to her boarding house a day or two before, and who seemed so shy and worried.
 Never mind," she said now. pleas- antIy, you musn't expect to find peo- pie in Washington unless you have an appointment. Leave a message for her at the office and ask her to wait for you tomorrow. And now, wouldn t you like to go over to the Capitol with me? I am on my way there" Miss Lewis assented; she had noth- ing else to do, and she recognized the kindly intent.
 You heard my talk with Mrs. West of course" she said presently. You couldn't help 1t - in hotel parlor. Fancy for her sending for me to tell me that there is no engagement between Senator Crawford and her daughter. As though I didn't know that already. She wants me to start the report. I guess. but I shall do nothing of the kind. The Senator is not a marrying man. I was sure he was widownr until I learned better; now I believe that he has had disappointment, and never got over 1t. There are some men like that-not many. but they ey- ist. and I think the Senator is one"
 The faint pink tinge on Miss Lewis Dresden China cheek deepened. Miss Jones noticed it. as she did every thing, and wondered why. She owed much of her signal success in journal ism to her genius for extracting infor- nation. Nature. had gifted her with personal magnetism. and she carefully cultivated an air of sympathetic inter- | est in other people, that delicate form of f1attery against which few men CT
 women are proof.
 People talked to her freely of their private affairs, confiding in her to an extent which was not infrequently SUI prising to themselves. Fortunately they had seldom cause to regret the confi- dence. Miss Jones was eminently dis erect. Moreover she had a horror of making enemies and prided herself on l the number of her friends. Now. she adroitly led her companion 1 to speak of her business in Washing l ton and soon learned all there was tc | tell.
 Miss Lewis grandfather had been g captain of volunteers in the War oi 1872: her mother. as the captains daughter, was entitled to a pension
 under a recent act of Congress. Il was to claim this pension that Miss Lewis had come to the capital. MT. Vose. a family friend and the newly | elected Congressman for their dis trict. had promised to attend to the | matter.
 Miss Jones exclaimed: Why. Senator Crawford Is the man of all others fol you to see. He is on your committee. will introduce you today" Something 1T Miss Lewis face gave her pause. "Dc you know him?" she asked. "I did years ago." was the answer
 We were neighbors in West Virginia | before the war"
 How fortunate" interrupted Mis-: Jones. "Of course. you must see him | It will help your claim immensely"
 "I prefer to leave the matter witf
 Mir. Vose." Miss Lewis answered | somewhat stiffly.
 Miss Jones ignored the stiffness. He curiosity was awake and her friendly interest would have melted a glacier
 Friday. FELIX GRE5oRY, MILL