The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-13
THE ADVERTISERS # # W
 .e # DAILY SHORT STORMY /


A vision of a slender figure, goYned in pure white with a shimmering veil over all, and carrying a cluster of white bride-roses. came into my mind and I did not hear the conversation which followed. Soon, there came \ shrll call from the house "Rebecky! Re-beck-y-y!"
 reused myself just in time to see a stout figure clad in blue calico van ish around the corner. her heavy shoes resounding on the bare boards.
 The Biblical nomenclature does not fail yet" I remarked, "Who Is she, Minerva?"
 "The hired help I believe" she re- piled. lazily sinking down among the pillows.
 got up, yawned. stretched to the height of my six feet two inches and walked up and down the long piazza three times. Then I sank down at Minerva's feet again.
 Do you know, dear" l began mus ingly, q admit that it's funny and all that. but still there's something touch- ing-something of the real thing about the love affairs of a girl like that. She is a sort of diamond in the rough. as it were, dnpolished, unspoiled by our so-called modern culture
 Minerva was silent. I think she Is sometimes conscious of her slight de- .ficency in poetic insight and feels kind of hesitation in conversing with me.
 rambled on That type of girl represents the forces-the masses Of humanity. The etherealized cultured specimens that we are so apt to meet in the whirl of society are merely the oyertones-the products of useless not so much an individuality as type. Love with such a girl Is an instinct. And it is from instincts that we get the highest forms of poetic expression. Don't you think so, love"'
 No answer came.
 "A nature of this type could no more think of treachery than of suicide. And promise made would be fulfilled without a moment of hesitation. The very idea of non-fulfllment would neyer-could never-come into such mind. The Biblical atmosphere with which we have clothed this place Is fitting habitat for such soul. She would be faithful and true in the face of anything. She stands for-she 1s- an epitome of the constancy of woman! Don't you agree with me. Minerva?
 No answer.
 "Miperva"
 "What?"
 Don't you think you ought to an- swer me when I speak to your
 Doubtless I would, my lord" she replied with a little yawn, "but I can imagine some excusable circumstances. Suppose I was asleep?" "Oh!"
 Three weeks from that day Minerva io e-at the 1OnO nOrch near the honeysuckle vine. Two figures crossed the broad foot-log spanning the Brook Besor. The first-a stout girl dressed In a scant white gown with a bright green ribbon about her waist; the second a small, dark man with a flaming tie at his throat.
 As they approached Us I repeated into the shadow of the hallway. Re- becca paused in front of Minerva. and taking the man by the sleeve brought him forward.
 We were married this mornin'." she announced. a dull red overspreading her freckled face. This is my man, Dan Smith. Ms Rogers"
 The man bowed Tn an awkward fash ion and touched gingerly the little white hand which Minerva extended to him, and then muttering something about "seein' to hookin' up the horse" !" shambled around the corner of the house.
 But, Rebecca." began Minerva, as he disappeared, tits queer. No doubt I was mistaken, but I was quite sure that the boy you told me about was a blonde, and I thought his name was Jake"
 "Oh that one" simpered RebeccaA lingering her green belt-ribbon. yes | his name was Jake. But he was killed last week. You heern about it-that ! feler that fell off the barn up in the mounting? And l had my dress all ready n everythin,' n Dan, he'd been a pesterin' me f'r long time-so i jest concluded that he'd do.'
 And she followed her husband around the house. | I stepped out on the porch again and gazed at Minerva's spirtiuele face as she lay back with closed eyes in the steamer chair.
 At last she opened them and looked | a me wickedly.
 ''T was just thinking" she said. "ot what an epitome of the constancy ot woman that girl represents"