The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-12
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

1t had become c torment, the very thought
 of which was agony. Now again it sym
 bolized love and hope and happiness, all the sweet possibilities of life. And now The bitterness of 1t pierced even through his dull apathy. His lips moved. 'nying" They could just guess at his
 meaning. Then his eyes closed. F''Young lady, excuse my bluntness,'
 said the old doctor. but if you have once been lovers, let him fancy it so still. Speak to him! Rouse him! It's his one she leaned over him again. her hands clasping his closer. You are not dying"
 she cried. You will live-Carrickl for my sake-remember!'
 His eyes anclosed again. and a culver almost like the ghost of a smile passed over his lips.
 >.'There's the ambuiancew The doctor sprang up with a sharp breath of relief. Simulta neously appeared belated po- ing back the crowd.
 The doctor turned to Mildred Allerton.
 In spite of his familiarity with such
 crises. he had been touched by this
 glrlish grace and beauty had Its effect.
 T believe he has a chance" he said
 hurriedly, thanks to you. If-' he he's itatedi, !..s If I can be of any use heres my
 There was another rattle of wheels, a shout from the policeman and they were gone.
 Hayden stepped forward. He did not intend to make a scene in public. and only the hard lines of his mouth betrayed his inward anger Miss Ailerton." he said tremendously, you will be chilled in that thin wrap. Let me take you to
 She turned and went back with him through the staring crowd. Neither spoke till the carriage was reached.
 We shali be late for the opera" he
 t In
 T am. not going to the opera" she
 Not going to the opera!' He spoke as if to an unrsasonable child. Shall we
 II am going to the hospital will not 'To the hospital?' His face grew white. '.You surely will not compromise
 through his hard self-restraint. He leaned closer to her. Mildred. we will
 forget tonights folly. When you are my II shal, never be- she interrupted, snatching away the hand he had taken. You knew I loved him. but you came
 between us, you slandered him and turned
 my mother against me-No. l shall never | be your wife, whether he lives of dies l A quick sob caught her breath. but she I fought 1t down and went on as If more [, 10 herself than to him. 'The doctor said l there was a chance-he said there was a | | going to him now" She lifted her head,
 and looked Hayden full in the face with 1 returning composure. Will you give the
 order. or shall F"
 Hayden stood with the door in his | hand hastily considering the situation. He had been so sure of this grill Only 1 tonight. not half an hour ago, she had | promised to marry him. and now! He | set his teeth and thought. but he would | not allow his angry disappointment to | lead him into making a false step. He | loved her with selfish tenacity. and he 1 had not the slightest intention of re
 laxing the hold he had gained through l her mothers worldliness and his own machinations. but he saw that In her 1 present mood persistence would De worse l than useless.
 Under the circumstances let 1t be as l you wish" he forced himself to say. ''To' 1 morrow we will sec" | She made no reply. He bowed and
 walked away, controlling his inward rage
 with new plans for the future. | The coachman gathered up hls reins | and the horses dashed forward. The few l curious loiterers still remaining turned tt
 watch the carriage out of sight. and ther | brief drama which had changed the course | of three lives but a crushed white flower | with blood-stained edges glimmering un | der the electric light. l At the opera that night two seats were | conspicuously vacant in the brillian ! throng. As the applause rang loudes { over the diya's great aria. young gir | stood by the door of dimly lighted hos | pltal ward, looking up with happy eye : into the rugged face that smiled back a | her. We've won!' noded the docto i with an exultant grasp of the hand Hell pull through now. never fear!' T V NcEa nd