The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-28
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

remember when I did not love him bet ter than any of my brothers, fond as was of them. and the little girl and the big boy were chums always.
 1 was visiting his mother when he went to Europe to study in Germany. and travel afterwards. The parting nearly broke my heart and 1 wept bitterly when l bade him good bye.
 "I'll write to you all the time. and we'll be married when I come back" he whispered, as he kissed me in farewell. Later I understood that he was joking. but the promise comforted me at the
 time. Since then we had kept up a more or less regular correspondence. which had been among the joys of my life, but never a word of love had there been in his letters.
 Now was to see him again after six years.
 Aunt Thornton had spent more than one summer with Ned in Europe, and once. at least. had offered to take me with her. Papa would have let me go but mamma objected, and so l stayed at home.
 For the first time dreaded visit to Aunt Thornton. felt ashamed of my vied Hyia; was jealous of her beauty and her charm. Would Ned, like all stran- gers. prefer her to me? Hyla was fas- cinating when she chose that she would choose now, was well aware. She never took the trouble to try to deceive me. Med Thornton Is just the sort of man
 whom I think I would like to marry, - she told me frankly, "and he Is not my cousin, even though you claim him as yours"
 Thus 1t came to pass that I had to look on and see her play her game. She did 1t so cleverly that she hurt me. Aunt Thornton blocked 1t now and then, but Hyia was so adroit that even she could do little to hinder. Most masterly of all was the manner in which she con
 trived to keep Ned and me apart. l won dered if he noticed that; it seemed to me that he need not have submitted unless | he wished and my heart was very sore because he did.
 As for me, l was at my worst, stiff and
 self-conscious; Hyla could always make | me show to disadvantage; never had she exercised that power as now Wretch | ed and miserable, l tried to make up my mind to the inevitable worst. to act | as If l did not care. and to occupy my l self with the admirers who courted my | fathers daughter. but it was hard. and | l knew that l betrayed myself sometimes. | so l retreated farther and farther into my shell, which was exactly what Hyla wished.
 | The end came one day. unexpectedly. sat in an alcove in the library. be- | hind a heavy curtain. trying to read, when I heard Hyla and Ned enter the 1 room. They were talking. but l saw no
 reason why l should make my presence | known.
 So you have noticed how quiet and ] unsociable Anne is," Hyla said. in her
 sweetest tones. "Is it possible you don't
 The poor child is breaking her heart over | Jack Duncombe.
 That fellow!'' exclaimed Ned. l Exactly. There is no accounting fol playmates from babvhood. And really | Jack isn't half bad, besides that he has l rich uncle in Australia who is sure
 to leave him fortune some day. | don't think Anne cares for the money
 but she is obstinate enough to be spurred | by opposition; of course Uncle Douglas
 and Auntie won't hear of it. But Anne
 will be of age next year. and then she | can and will, do as she pleases."
 Up to this point l had remained silent | too amazed to speak. now l sprang out and confronted her.
 1 "Hyla White. you know there is not
 a word of truth in all that rigamarole" | For one moment Hyla was staggered
 then she smiled sweetly. Am really mistaken? How glad dear | Auntie will be-
 Her audacity fairly took my breath away; l gave her look. and turned tc
 Ned indignant.
 And I think you believed herr! I said
 T didn't" he replied. only Miss Hyla
 was quite positive. and you have beer l so distant In your manner lately that 1T could not ask you some questions wished. You seem to have totally for } gotten the promise you made me six ltyears ago. I have remembered" l felt myself turn crimson. l Hyla looked from one to the other, and
 saw that. she had lost.
 IT you want to talk about old times | I'll go and write some letters that weigf | heavily on my conscience" and she Jeff
 as gracefully as though there had beer | no struggle and no defeat | Ned and 1 were married next spring | Jack Duncombe's uncle died soon after
 wards. The fortune which he left to his
 nephew surpassed all expectations and flyla is now Mrs. Duncombe. E TIT" by Edgar welton Cooley.