The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-08
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

|-going to be cut up to beat everything. N was up in my room one night in
 got to talking 1t over. We had heard a rumor that Grace and her mother were going to Europe. and we knew that fnean one of two things-either Van would be
 reckless and get his quietus right away or else. on some cooked-up excuse O, other he would follow them. of course said Ken, as he gave a vicious pull at his cigar, there's no use
 kicking against the bricks. Van has got
 , to swing some day; and maybe the sooner "Of course" Trench admitted. Vans got to take his medicine. that's all right. but-hang it-he's such a no end of good fellow and it'll break him all up and-Lord wish somebody would
 "Feilows.' said Ken, "can't we ds something for Van to break his fan? Hold a blanket for him. or something?" I told Ken he was fool. but that no
 longer makes the impression on him that
 "No--hans it," he said. q mean it.. Now. look here. We all know that Van isn't what you might call tearing beau ty. And-great hat! there are other girls
 him quick if they could get him. Eel lows with six-fgure bank accounts aren' t at discount-not yet. Suppose we three were to form a sort of benevolent con- SplTdCy get one or tHe STlS iHtO It, 0i"- mic Crane. maybe. and then pull every wire we could-Beatrice Benedict fashion until we had him married-"- No use.' interrupted Trenchard, i've
 might break Mamie Cranes heart, prob ably would, but that is all would ever come of it. Better leave the whole thing alone"
 I felt that I knew Van a little better than either of the other fellows did, and thought I understood the situation. so now I aY,oke m,
 'I teii you fellows" I said. there is
 lust one thing can ease the pressure. You can't drive Van. you can't coax him, and he is not trying Co win by his beauty, he knows and cares lot for Grace; he knows he's got ability. he knows he s got money and he thinks he could make her happy enough so that after 2 while gotten. you know-she'd get used to 1t.
 What you want isn't another woman in the case-it's another man, and if you were as smart as Van. as rich as Van: as much in love with Grace as Van. and handsome I tell you Van would give him free field for her sake-only providing he were just as good fellow as van. and Van would have to be the judge. put he would judge fair."
 We were all silent. and just at that moment there was a tap at the door.
 Come in,'' I called.
 The door opened and-it was Dwight
 Van Wert.
 We must have looked like trio of de-
 tected counterfeits, but Van never mo- ticed.
 Rod" he said, in constrained. un-
 natural voice, may I ask the boys to excuse you'll would like to speak to
 yo,f-privately-for a moment"
 I knew it must mean his death sent
 ence. and followed him, like a lamb to the slaughter Van closed the door soft ly. took my arm and led me across to where the great hall lamp shed its red light down upon us both.
 Rod old man." he said ''1 have come to tell you that am engaged to be mar. ried. You know to whom-the best girl and dearest in the world-and 1 wanted you to be the first to congratulate me It will be in couple of months. here, and on the 9th of June we sail for Flu rope on the Campania.'
 He gave my hand numbing pres sure then gripped me by the shoulders and held me of at arms length. And I looked at him-at his rubricated hair. his tip tilted nose. his lavish wealth of freckles, his wind-break ears and his eyes in which was shining the glory of the New Jersualem-ard-by love. Dwight Van Vert was the handsomest fellow I ever saw.