The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-16
THE ADVERTISERS
 ] DAILY SHORT STORY

7ka Never before had 90 good report beer laid before Milton Farley. The business ! for. the .nonth showed profits greater than ever before since he had assumed control greater indeed than the average record | in the days when old Mason. Murray. its essn she gasidiMns,i M,i,sD oDir T.rlsS hs -and even the stern old executor and friend of Murray had besdn to soften to- ward him.
 I. was yssy gra.IfyMias M tefhavs g 1 won out Ut him and the thoughts of the man leaped into the future, which became rosy-hued. He was q Heading citizen. his name stood at the very top in the business was his--and they talked of him for Con- gress and then there were boindiess pos- abilities beyond. Yes. undoubtedly, he had won the light.
 orphan before he was fairly out of kits he had pushed along with his ardent and ind0mitabre spirit until he had be- come the most promising young lad in the town. Then he met Rose Mulligan, handsome, and ardent as he and older Then that ili-adyised marriage before he was out of his teens. Then the struggle for a living, the coming of the baby, the could provide. Ter continued npbraidings, and the sordidness and the hopelessness of the life; his fierce yearning for posi- tion and power-for a chance to do some- little town afforded: the whining of Rose for few gew-gaws he had not the money to buy: her constant nagging and his final resolution to leave 1t all and start anew. He had not justified his assertion and did not know. but he had lied thousand miles and under another name began life over again. Without references and not daring to tell whence he came he had attained. good start. when he
 met Caroline Murray. the proud young heiress of the Murray thousands. He was handsome fellow, not without dash. and she had liked him from the first. One soft night in May, when everything be- tokened the mating of birds and the air held the aroma of romance he had de- tected in her all the evidences of pref. erence and passion. Then had he thrown caution even. honor-to the winds cnd re- solved to become possessor of the Mur- ray fortune. He played his cards with rare skill and finally. despite the strenu- ous opposition of Joel Kirton. the execu- tor of Murray and the guardian of the had been friends and Mason Murray died in peace. knowing that Kjrton would ad- minister his estate upon the most rigid business principles. And so he had and with fidelity that Is admirable from every standpoint. But this suit of Milton Farley had upset him and his plans He could learn nothing good. bad or indif- ferent of Farley's antecedents and Farley was as ciose-mouthed as he. The girl would not listen to reason and he had been compelled to acquiesee although he gave full notice to both that he would withhold certain portions of the estate left within his disoretion. pending tke re- however. Kirton could find no weak spot in Farley He had taken the manage ment of the Murray business under kir- tons oversight and the executor was AI~I A~ A-snIA diligent and able business man in the community.
 Thus ruminating, Farley rose and joined Joel Kirton. with~whom he had an ap- pointment at lunch. ".
 While at lunch the two men went over the affairs of the business. Kirton was evidently pleased and had never appeared SO warm Cor rather less cofdl to the younger man.
 Let's see. Farley" said he, plunging into his pocket for something to figure on and drawing out an envelope, "how does this make it for the year?'
 He laid the envelope on the table and reached for his pencil. As Farley.s eyes read the superscription on the envelope he became as white as sheet and in hls eyes a look of horror. Kirton looking up noted @ the. change and asked in alarm:
 A passing chill; ! am somewhat sub ject to them,,' replied Farley. Then re- covering himself with ar effort fle assun,- ed q careless tone and said: j.. sg.-
 Who, is your correspondent. Kirton? You're rather an old bird to be corre- spending with lady," 'l1
 'Pshaw. nothing but a letter regarding 'Kirton impatientiy. "Now let's get down these. figures" Then a shrswd look came into the old mans eyes and he added
 Rather peculiar handwriting. ain,t it? Ever see anything like it?'' His penetrat- ing little eyes were boring into Earley's soul.
 Farley met the glance. albeit he paied trihe as he responded with a show of unconcern: Not that I remember
 The interview regarding the business proceeded and the men parted, As Kir- ton rose to go Farley carelessly reached over for. the envelope which Kirton had been marking the figures on and said: Let me take that slip to the office I want to go over these figures again.
 So do l. replied the other keeniy Make copy if you like"
 Sunday sstory. "A CHANGE OF scHEl