The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-04
THE ADVERTISERS ..s- DAILY SHORT STORY

i How superbly unselfish. or indifferent Shall l say"
 Tho girl flushed. and then said serious ly. Why speak of what l like? That ance to one, who like yourself. belongs to such different world from mine. Lawrence was about to say something further. From the look in his eyes the girl knew the words would be tender. Just then the plantation bells began ring ing for sunset, and the coming in of the hands from the fields. The girl said, Tt is growing late, Please row me back home"
 As she lightly ripped from the skin mayn't write to you, and won't you answer?'
 certainly" she said. "rll write and tell you all about Jean and Pierre. and what fish they catch, and will also let you Aknow what other Northern visitors old Boreas blows to our sunny sGult shore"
 He saw Hortense again. She daZzled and impressed him, but repelied him like some superb. but scentless flower. bar barically beautiful. but unattractive. It seemed, too, her greeting was lacking in warmth. But he soon reflected that it was not, It was simply her old way. and 1t appeared cold to him, because he had been among persons more cordial He saw her often, as fiance should. One night he asked her to fix the date of their marriage, but she demurred. say ing they were enjoying themselves as things were, and why not wait while. He answered. Well. just as' you wish" Yes she said and he thought he de- tected a tinge of scorn in the tone, "yes. just as l wish"
 few evenings after this conversation his mother said to him. Lawrence, don't you think Hortense is allowing Lord Conerly to mon0polize good deal of her time!'
 q really hadn't noticed, mother" he answered, "but what of 1t r
 but titles somehow are rather attract i've" .of
 He worked very hard during the win ter. and his cough returned, but he the spring approached. The sun swept high and higher in the heavens. He knew that down there on the gulf the perfume of the bay was In the air. The that old magnolia must be burning a whole galaxy of silver moons.
 One morning his mother found him and his valet packing q trunk. He told her Cuff region. From the longing and pleas ed expectancy in his face. 1t evidently did demand such a trip, and it doubtless would be greatly benefited thereby.
 he first met Annice when he again ar rived at Biloxi. He had not written her of his coming. He wanted to surprise her. People are more natural, not to say old haunts for several days, but he neither saw nor heard anything of Amice. The afternoon of the third day after his arrival he strolled toward Pierre I.e' Roux's oyster boat to enquire; Just as loving shadows across the lagoon, he almost ran into Amice. Without barley he strode up to her and said, T have come back. Amice; come back to you.
 Her eyes flashed glad a little. then dimmed Tt cannot be-" she said simply. , Cannot be? o. Amice. Amice. what have you done since l have been away?" other duties before you met me and you have them now"
 But l love-we love each other" he pleaded.
 Well" she asked. what of 'that2"e
 ''Is not love enoughT"
 .'No. love is not enough! Not love, when 1t Is taken from one to whom it has been pledged and rightfully belongs"
 He was about to make reply when the ner. He handed Lawrence a telegram
 Amice had strolled away little Law renee tore open the envelope and then cried. "Ari,ice. Amice, come back but gave her the telegram. It read:
 Hortenss tense was married to Lord con7
 The music on the stage was duiveriffg, toward its conclusion. when Lawrence was aroused from his Traumerei by a voice whispering, Lawrence. why do you clutch my hand so tightly" "Because,"l cause, Amice, fear to lose you, like a. miser might fear to lose his gold be- cause my happiness Is so great am afraid of it. afraid lest the gods grow jealous and take you from me-"
 ha Ia af n he in1 ,lr into silence. and the whole house roarsd its applause. like storm on the Me&i- can Gulf.
 FIFTY NINE bv Catherine e,olI