The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-23
STORY OF A BOY.


 She was listening to the uniformed
 graybeard at the window. bending to- ward him 8 little with an air of charmed interest that warmed the heart under the gold braid. Fluttering
 down to them the length of the draw ing room came the hostess, that fool ish little Mrs. Lessing, and they heard her saying to the gentleman beside her. while she was yet far off: ''oh. I've just found you in time, and it's awfully awkward, but you know
 how people are always disappointing you at the last moment. You were to have gone down to dinner with Clare Rtgdon, and Mrs. Harding with Ray mcnd Blaine. and neither of them came 50 sorry"
 The girl at the window had not changed her position in the least. She still leaned over the arm of her char toward the uniform. but the General was suddenly conscious that the lovely young face had lost something Of It's color.
 "oh. Mrs. Harding" cried Mrs. Less ing, as the girl stood up and smiled graciously at her hostess; "so awk- ward for husband and wife to go out to dinner togethcr-people disap- pointed me-but would you let MT. Harding take you out, just to obhse meY
 The hostess did not wait for re- ply, but took General Blake's arm ana led him away. The two were left alone. both standing in the shadow or the window curtains. She was twist- ing the silken fringe of the drapery between her fingers. She did not look at him, but she saw that the hand resting on the back of the chair from ~,,t.toI, sS had rtaap shaken. Since we are within full view or number of our dearest enemies. she said with a scornful smile. still not looking at him, 'it might be as well to play the farce out and look-"eii-- say. decently interested in one anotn, CT. People will discuss us soon enough. The hand on the chair'was suddeniy steady.
 with al! my heart" said the gen tleman lightly. as he placed cnalI for her further back in the wineow enbraxure. and took another, close at hand. "we will disappoint them TOT onoe." .n,.r1
 She looked beyond him at the throng that danced and promenaded anu | walked dewa the long successor V. | roons. She looked anywhere but at him.
 "While 1t is really awkward, sne said with bitter voice and charm | ing smile, flor a husband to De 1ofceo
 to take his wife out to dinner, sta' one may live through 1t under certain circumstances. One has but to remem- her that it is the last time he will ever
 be afflicted with her presence, ana much may be borne. Really scarce ly expected to see you here tonisht. Was I not led to suppose that you were | to start for Europe todayT | T start tomorrow instead" he re- | piled coldly. "The delay was fortun- ate. I gives me the opportunity 10 defer a nine days wonder for yet an
 other day. Let us do 1t tnorougnly, while we are doing 1t. What shall we discuss that will bring pleasant ex- pression to our faces; that will make us seem not merely tolerant of one
 another, but absolutely absorbed, de- l voted"
 "Let us talk of Love" she said. with | a burst of ecorn and despair that sent
 e crimson over her pale face. Re- | membering our desolate hcme-my des- l oiate life-we can surely talk of that
 "You are right he said, leaning 8 little nearer. "we will talk of love. '
 She shrank away from him a little
 but at the same moment she smiled
 and nodded at Mrs. Leasing, who passed | near.
 Love" he repeated. What a diff. ference 1t makes in peoples lives! You and I have agreed to say goodbye
 have already said 1t, in fact. and we
 can afford to discuss love imDersonally
 I am afraid you are not smiling enough
 I notice two or three people looking this | way.
 She smiled immediately: such 6
 smile as comes to the lips after tht
 heart is broken.
 Don't be afraid" she said. T wil
 play my part. l am deeply interested
 You may go on with the one subjec