The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-01
THE ADVERTISERS <
 DAILY SHORT STORY

4 Msiie went around the table, but Mor. tons gr1n became exceedingly dry wher sSs.I sss nssssTy e.., ~o%sn psused beside hi, Rang out on the salIsey for moment, VAugnn.s warning rang in his ears; his nerves deserted him. "Tot Iisht now" he seammered. That
 "As you aie. she cut n dryly, "pu, the man seened-
 The man? thousht-oh. the man
 Hs vent out abruptly and wave oi room. The literary woman discreetiy forebore to question, and picking up a maRasine turned to seat on the oppostte eade from where Vaughn sat chatting with
 Presently. when the hostess excused herself te act her role of umpire, Vaughn rose to lean against the mantle. Any collections to . bit of fresh air?' Miss Nordham continued to turn the leaves of hr magazine for a moment longer. then she, too. arose to stand before the fire. A moment later the door chss 9peSsq s,av upeMn Mo.s the southern gallery quickly.
 'I'li be blessed if they haven't slipped through my fingers after all!'' he ejacu- srons's lot is truly e hard one. % hsys followed those two through the length and breadth of the land. have sat upon balcony ra1lings and listened to meta physical discussions until T could see nothing before me but the fate of that young fellow who went to sleep and fell out of the window while the apostle was preaching. You remember? The first man on record to go to sleep under a sermon. I have biked and boated.''
 What did you do 1t for?" interrupted his hearers.
 Morton shook his head sadly.
 N.-. from making a fool of himself about a woman who doesn't care a shot for him. Too late now. No doubt he is telling her at this very moment that he loves her and she Is making a copy of him. on: Of everything. She knows how to set it,. too. I've seen 1t all. Man, woman. child, dumb beast. barring their best and braveet for her Ss1e Ans Tst does she ,ss give bright and brilliant as you please. But heart? Why, she would rether be caught shedding blood than shedding tears. It is your deal. Miss Nanny There is no known all along that as soon as she turned him down. Vaughn would run back to grub work in the Museum and my holiday would be over" frankly at this ingenious betrayal of ths real source of hAs anxiety.
 Yes" he admitted mournfully, self is at the bottom of it. Sometimes 1t seems to me that self is at the bottom
 If Morton's predictions concerning the fate of his proposals had been verified Vaughan's dark face betrayed no hint Of chagrin as he followed Miss Nordham into the room. and his voice was as deep and even as usual when he spoke.
 T have some good news for you. Nor ton." ..
 "Good news." stammered Morton.
 HAn Nordham has expressed a decided opinion. She says she believes you are one of the best-hearted young fellows in the world.
 "Oh. stop your guying," Morton grum- bled. You make me sleepy"
 q think 1t Is time we were on our bikes" Vaughn replied quietly, and turned to thank their hostess for a pleasant evening.
 had seemed to be hopeful that nothing had happened. The ladies were discussing the question in undertones the next morning when a step rang on the gallery and one of them gasped:
 The other nodded. but before she could close the door Vaughn was standing on the rug opposite it.
 Tt is no use" he said briefly; Nor ton was too imminent last evening. but things cannot % on like this
 "No." was ,the absent reply. Have you seen this latest thing of--'
 "Never mlnd chat now, ne anteTTupteu There was a pause then fin tones deeper and a little shaken.
 Aren't you woman enough to know what is the matter with me?'
 The next pause. one of agonizing un- certainty, was rudely broken.
 Hello. Vaughn. Thought I'd find
 Morton" cut in the deep voice sternly, ''wii1 you do me the kindness to go down stairsT'
 The door slammed; the silence deep. ened; the ladies ears strained against thedr will; unconsoiously they held their breath At last. across the intense still nees q sound came to them. The mar ticulate, caressing sound. that escapes man unconsciously as he draws back from a passionate embrace.
 A guilty flush swept up to the listeners temples. They looked anywheres save into each others eyes, and one arose noisily to shut the door. Before she could shut it out the voice. liquid in its deep toned tenderness, came to them again:
 Dear, you have made me so happy
 The woman who had closed the door turned to the window with nervous laugh.
 "There goes poor Morton. A living nicture of resignation on a wheel"
 Poor fellow commented the other. And they laughed together in happy hysterical way.