The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-24
THE ADVERTISERS < s 7
 # # DAILY SHORT STORMY
Copyright. 1901. by Daily Story Pub Co,

gene to town, they told him. Then nc I looked to see if Hammond was about As he expected, He emmond was In town also. He flung the book int5 the snow and 1t lay there an hour before ne Weh' | for 1t.
 Every night after chat he read the book | or asked the men who knew English t | nelp him. Every day he looked at An nette and saw that the air of the pint forests was making her more beautifui | and that Hammond clung closer to her l than ever.
 One night when the stars were bright CT than usual he lay out near the riyei bank and hugged himself for joy. He | had learned the meaning of every. wore
 in that book of essays. He could pro | nounce most of them and there were 2 gIea maay he could spell in English oil hand. Surely, he thought, Annette was closer to him than she ever had been | Besides he had not gone to town since
 that day he had lost his chance to bu, l Annette a dress. and he had saved his
 money till he had much more than hs | had on that day.
 buy more books but 1 can buy a gowr
 better than the first and I can buy new jackets for myself and new shoes to wear nights when. 1 come out of the woods and when she may see me-"
 The crunch of footsteps on the snow close to him brought him to his feet. A woman in ragged clothing and with lips almost blue reached out her hand I hO tuihUIcd db utc hCSbs ''Who can you be?' he asked. You do not belong here. No, 1 never saw you before. How have you come all the
 miles from, the town
 whlskey down her throat She revived | a little.
 T am looking for Mir Hammond" she
 said. They told me in the town That | he worked out here. l am his wife. Here | is my ring He left me year ago and l told me never to follow him. but | love
 him and have come to ask If he will not | come back to live with me"
 "Hammond!" Paquette sniffed: Ham
 mond!''
 She fell back as If he had struck her
 He is my husband" she said proud l ly "I love him.
 Then was Paquette confronted with the opportunity of his life. He knew that i to bring the poor. tired woman to the | bright room in which Hammond was sit ting with Annette was to crush Ham
 mond and to save Annette. But what fl Annette should love Hammond? It would break her heart to see this woman claim | him. The woodsman took off his cap and ran his fingers through his curly hair.
 Hammond" he said, as if trying tc think. Hammond. I am sorry. but there is no one here by that name. am sure. But you have come. too far
 and you are tired. Take my flask anC
 this money and I'll go with you to the | railroad station"
 During the walk he told her that she
 might find Hammond some place in town
 and the money he gave her was more
 than he had seen in months. l When the rear lights of the train were swallowed up in the shadows toward
 town Paquette walked slowly back to
 camp As he passed the lighted win.
 dows of the front room he looked in
 Ehamefacedly. Annette with flushed l cheeks was talking to Hammond and hel hand was in his.
 1 Paquette sworo under his breath and | then walked fast to the river bank. H, | flung his precious copy of Montaigne fal
 out into the black river and then turned back to his cabin.
 Annette loves him." he said dogged- ] ly. 'I did right"