The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-03
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

lead, and her head was hot VII LevIs agony. She was obliged to exeu5s sst nes,s for ].
 % imp. with paws upon her shoulders, was looking into her face with thel helpless, yearning sympathy of our durp p,s. suddenly he lsapsd up ana dowe aat ana the Ie legs of the writing desk: An Inspiration, dashed. 'I'n write to Bluettf and ten h spite of the close espial unher which the strl dwelt, the letter reachT its 's oes. tination. A few minutes later Bluette was beside her to hear it all tEer again while the madam was absent af market. Better still, she brought message. Yet, after all, are you sure you VIII be satisfied with & poor man-you Wno have had everything you wantedT' doupt. ed Bluetfe "I suppose the other is rfch? "Yes, I know" murmWed Lettice. hast fly. caressing Imp. who was growing rest iess-"there comes mother.
 The dreaded crisis could not long pc warded of. A handsome box Iof flowers came memorially during the day ana then a note-"May I have the plcasure? etc, which the queen-mother Brought up with her own hands and stood to see an- swered.
 The message sent through Bluette had been, win you stand by me in what, ever I do regardless of consequences! What was he going to do' And wneh'
 
 The parlors had received aI etxra touch from the queen-mother. Tht tete-a.tete chair was in the most inviting position and lights turned down tq the lovers lovers gauge. The folding doors were , ciose nscr parlor sat the father with His paper ana the mother with her fancFwork. Mrs. Duvall having taken precious care to uii- fold upon the bed Letticfs most pe- coming dress and ribbons. x..,- lAten4 ,.s.iv at inc head of the stairway.
 "Mr. Duvall please" saysIa clear. man 'He is ushered into the ropm where the old people sit. ;shmert Mir. Duvali looks at the intruder. and' re cosnizing him. the evident proviso ooss Ss nnf dron out of the cool greeting. oo much the less when Lettics glides Tn an" stands in the shad9w nee een,hc Tcpowell e% Reid ts booted and spurred for a bold aoVen- ture and is nothing daunted by ms re ception He holds out hii naho "iuon courtesy compels his host to accept. ana saws audaciousiy:
 q fear it will surprise you to know my errand. I have come to ask the hand of your daughter in marriage.
 Imp rubs himself encouragingly against his trousers ,.,u, MT. Duvall, with cutting sarcasm in ms tone and looking thunder and btue-nght- ming. But the old gentlemans preJudice Is melting under a resistless heat Of ad- miration, though he adds haughtly: And on what ground. may l ask, do you rest your assurance?
 "On your justice, and our mutual love, replies the young man confidently. Ana turning toward Lettice drew her to his side.
 The father had no need to ask her con fir,nation of this statement. A look at the girls beaming countenance showeo her lover was not counting without ms host. The last vestige of dsapproval ned, abashed Extending his hand. with full cordiality now, Mir. Duvall said: II ad- mire your pluck, young man. If you have not money, you have something pet ter. I rejoice that my dauhster has been able to secure man of pluck. Take her with my blessing, and take care of her, as I believe vou will
 'I don't intend to wait lor the winds to change" whispered the successful | knight as he and Lettice drifted happily Into the parlor. I am going for a preach CT and finish up this little business at once. Will return in 2 few moments. Never had Miss Duvall ''' her other lover so graciously. His ''T ; was brief.
 II am so glad you hap i. said. will be delighted present at my marriage leave! It VIII take pldce " "i' and the dress suit is entiTely -'~'l7a, A., as there are no invited guests.' The queen-mother had retired to her room with severe headache. And. just to think. Impotence has done it all." murmured the man, their hands touching and retouching over the cats jetty fur.
 Pluck father called it." corrected tnt young wife, demurely.