The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-06
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

Du Fonts opposition to the match. There had been no signs of weakening. when some weeks later, she was darn
 ns aosnsn ansa sns ss m ns & s|s Ssr mother. To her Mrs. Du ,Pont entered, wringing her hands, incoherent and hys- terical. It was several minutes before
 ss mss sss se snerS the as and. personal reasons for his. unwonted
 He asked me to marry him." sobbed know @ wi what on said Sut as made him angry ng He has gone away furious. He says he will seize the furniture and turn us into the street unles the money Is paid within srse ss days Ms Sye q. s on fnree nsea Wsa shalltwe do7'' and with that she wept afresh, while Martha dropped the table, cloth which was in her lap and eni- braced her mother.
 think of the scandal the disgrace. oh, Martha. Martha, what shall we do?' Martha considered.
 He shall do nothing Of the kind" she
 .Oh, no, Martha, I can't They were my mothers. and her grandmother's be- fore her; and have always meant them
 Never mind me. little mother: there isn't anything else we can do. and 1t is lots better than being sold out. You know Mir Garnett Stone said they were worth over $500 He ought to be willing to give us four for them, or maybe he will lend you the $25o, with the diamonds as security" MT. Stone was a leading ieweler who; with his wife. had 1. boarded E set up housekeeping son their own ac- count.
 Mrs. Du Pont dried her tears. and looked up. encouraged, at Martha, who rxru alr nHxr6 6rA0 aor ffx <va AtIf .
 You may go and ask him, Martha, he knows us so well that I think he will lend us the money. and if he dont-
 We will sell them" finished Martha, and in less time than it takes to tell she was downtown with the jewels.
 The special Providence which watches over true lovers, or dutifui daughters. or both sent Tom oLeary to the street cor ner at the exact moment when Martha stepped from her car.
 maid?" he, quoted gaily. then grew grave when he saw her face. What is the and he drew her into the comparative quiet of a cross street.
 You must let me manage th,s matter" he said. when he had heard the story. know, and my wife must not lose her great-great-grandmoth diamonds. If anybody is to lend money on them 1 have the, first claim. Wait for me at f1CukG Ss SfdH l. UC AOH&s anu With gh0h he was off before Martha could say him yea or nay.
 So 1t came to pass that Mrs. Du Pont. waiting upon the tender-hooks of sus- ter, followed closely by Tom O'Leary.
 "Weii?'' she asked, sharply looking from one to the other, and back again to Martha.
 which she extended rather in gesture than in greeting.
 Mrs. Du Pont," he said. gently, Mar that has told you that she has promised ling. Meanwhile I ask you to do me the kindness to let me advance whatever money you wish to raise on these dia- monds and let Martha keep them. No jewels I might buy for her hereafter
 Mrs. Du Pont stopped him with wave of her hand. .'Marthav' she exclaimed.
 That was all, but the one word spoke
 Tom understood. T met her by acci- dent on her way to Garnett Stones" he continued. quietly, and when asked her the matter she told me. Dear Mrs. Du Font Martha & and love love sacn c1nrs osner :oss and friends, indeed, than most brothers whom I have known. Let me be a son to you, not in his stead, but for his sake.'' she sank back into the chair from which she had arisen upon their entrance. Martha put her arms around her upon one side; Tom knelt upon the other. and. still holding her hand, laid the jewels in her lap.
 Mrs. Du Pont looked at her diamonds, then at her daughter. then at Tom and then again at Martha.
 Martha" she said. huskily, fare you sure you love Tom OLeary so much that you can't be happy without himT'
 Martha flushed rosily. but she held out her hand to Tom, who was seeking 1t with his free one, and returned his smile radiantly.
 Quite sure. dear little mother; if you want to make me happy you must let him take care of us both,' she answered, positively.
 also, smiled through her tears. We'll she said, T suppose l must say bless you. my children" |"