The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-29
\ THE ADVERTISERS # |. M
 v = .e DAILY SHORT STORMY
ELzArErH Copyright by Publishing

with something approaching a sheer.
 Tell Miss Mills the rest. Lily"
 Lily reddened.
 "He was nothing but a cowboy.
 Onslow regarded him with an amused scorn
 Lilly was youthful in those days and used to make remarks. He was cspe- cialIy freee about the Black Ghost. Ru- mor had 1t that she slapped Lily's face before her never-lamented husband de- parted this vale of bucketshops. Well, Lily remarked concerning the Black Ghost that which did not suit Mir. Nor timer of the Wild West. Result, a lit- tie fracas in which the man from Tex as came out best"
 "A tricky cried Lilienthal, some cursed Indian trick with the leg he had. You know can wrestle with the best of you"
 What was his first name?' put in the peerlng Lumberg.
 q forget" said Onslow. "I think 1t was Lytle or some such fanciful thing. What name Is in the telegram? Lumberg held up the fiimsy and read:
 "'oil well No. of the Mortimer Hicks Oil Company on the Mortimer place came in a gusher yesterday even- ing. It is flowing 50 feet over the der rick. As this company only owns ll0 acres of MT. Allen Lytle Mortimer's land, 1t will be seen that his whole tract is now of almost fabulous value. MT. Mortimer is in the North, where. it is rumored, a great syndicate will be formed to control the tract.'"
 Lily gave short and meaning grunt of disapproval.
 q bet it wasn't that yawp."
 'I bet it was: bet you fiver." said l Onslow. lazily.
 How will we decide it?" sneered lLilienthal. "Who knows7 I'll take you up"
 q shall ask the Black Ghost" said Onslow, "and ask her this minute | "We dare you," cried one of the women; ''she doesn't admire you much."
 "Who cares?" retorted Onslow; "here goes-and I wouldn't wonder If the Old Man himself wasn't about. I'll take my nerve with me and I'll go in and find out"
 Beyond the local room was a glass partition and hallway opening into the several editors sanctum. Onslow calm lly entered the hallway and with nip of his fingers at the women, closed the door. He heard a sound Of suodued ana vet cheerful voices. even of light Laughter. He smelled some subtle and delicate perfume. There were ladies within. a fact MT. Onslow did not re- gret. r.,.or.s room. but found 1t empty. Then he heard the Black Ghosts voice, always low and singularly soft. It sounded different, more aggressive, more con | fident. Not at all difident. Onslow moved to the door. He stopped, amazed. There was no Black Ghost | nP smiling old Man was a woman. all in white, delicate, soft, silken, flowing white. Her shadowy dark hair was coiled low under a Parislan creation of tulle and lilacs Her face, like rare. pale flower, was framed in it. The eyes shone. Her lips were red. Beside her stood man. Onslow gasped as he looked. In the splendid flush of youth and success, he looked like a god. Was this the one whose name had been banded about the To- cal room few moments before? On- slow shivered as he remembered. AS he gazed. scales seemed to fall from his eyes. He could not retreat. so he advanced boldly with bow. MT. Meredith. came in to ask you something of MT. Mortimer. We heard of his Texas oil wells, but did not know whether it was the same man we remembered here"
 Mir. Meredith frowned little.
 50 you have not forgotten that? We'll, L.would. Mr. Mortimer is now a millionaire and came north for his bride. Mrs Mortimer, MT. Onslow."
 onsloY looked into the-eyes of the erstwhile Black Ghost, no wa White Angel. He was not without tact.
 "A resurrection!" he murmured; "a lily from a dark cocoon. My sincerest congratulations on both the bride and the oil wells, MT. --ortimer. We will Gll rejoice in your good fortune, sir. A YoNET." by James Noel Johnson.