The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-09
THE ADVERTISERS # .x W x DAILY SHORT STORY.) y
ecopy right. isoa by Daily Story Publishing ca,
n I can soon pay you"

and then I can soon pay you"
 No. I am going to punish your in- gratitude by putting that stock on the market
 And he would have done 1t. perhaps. but three days afterward he was taken down with pneumonia, and did not get up again. In terror Mary waited for some word concerning the stock, but none came. Time passed she went into opera and indeed became famous. The public ravei over her; she was a queen of song and of beauty. Million aires jostled one another In EeFItrail; her life was spent among, rusess In a mountain retreat whfthant-she had flown for rest. sine met a modest young man. Along a pathway there grew a violet. He plucked it, handed it to her and she .orgot the roses of the rich. He wrote verses for her and upon her pillow at night she breathed secret sonnets to him. But the season for her return to the stage arrived and she went away. But he followed her. He saw her in a great glare of light, saw the ushers carrying armfuls of roses to her. He called a boy and to her sent one violet. He saw her take it saw her quivering in the glare. She knew that he was in the house, and when the curtain went down on the last act there came word from her that she desired to see him. She was besieged with attention. but she put 1t all gently and gracefully behind her, took the young mans arm and walked out into a quiet park where the air was sweet.
 1T was afraid that should never see you again." she said as they sat upon a bench.
 You could not travel so far that l cot;ld not find you"
 But perhaps If yoh knsw my his- tory you would not follow me. You know the newspapers have speculated as to where was born" s
 "Yes, they say that your origin Is a mystery-but what is more mysterious than the origin of us all?"
 Yes. but mine is dark mystery. l was found or a doorstep, and--in a joke was incorporated. for S25OO0. and the bonds are still in existence. but I can't find them and 1t worries me all the time, An old man named Parker the head of the company-wanted me | to marry him, but couldn't-I thought i that sometime there might come some | one to touch my soul I was grateful | to him, but I could not marry him. He | died and no one knows what became of the bonds and I am constantly in a | cold dread lest they should turn up in | the hands of some man who could but challenge my contempt and" Don't let 1t worry you. Can we go somewhere in the light"
 "Yes, to my parlor in the hotel. It shall be private" But why do you want a light?"
 q want to look at you" You must not tease me-" "No, except that love may Hush you must not talk that way here. Oh, that violet. thought that l should faint"
 Did you know. at once?" "Yes, with a thrill"
 They went into her parlor. Outside
 were voices inquiring for her. A din-
 ner was to be given in her honor and f she was late. There came repeated rappings at the door. "Tell them.' she said to her mind, "that I will come soon, with friend. Now" she added smiling, i've are in the light"
 From his coat pocket he took roll
 of paper. Here are all the bonds," he
 said, handing them to her. For years,
 Mary, have had this moment in view. I never intended that they should give you any uneasiness. Will you accept | them from me as a marriage portion | Wait a moment. I have not told you my right name. AS children we kissed each other. My father gave me the bonds. My name is Parker" "One more kiss and then we will go l to their dinner" she said.