The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-21
Accounting the Stupidity of a Man ana the Ad- venture of A Maid.

1 Mildred, Mildred" he cried. ''you don't mean"
 "I mean this" retorted the young wo- man, coyly. when you learn how to pro- pose to . girl, I'll listen to you. Now run away and study your lesson" Back to his den behind the store went Richard Kane, vision of the handsome face of Howard Maddern haunting him. Weeks and months passed but there was little change in the daily routine of Richard Kane's existence. He would
 have left Kensington if he had dared to do so Only when Mildred Holmes went up to Nashville for a month did he per- init himself to enjoy society at the 'big house." Evenings were spent there when she was absent. When she returned he retired to his den end his books. Mill dred frequently stopped at the store and chatted with him. Plainly she enjoyed his society. Perhaps she enjoyed it more than she wanted him 70 know. Richard Kane felt that his love had been spurned; his fine feelings had been outraged. He rebelled against the heart burninss but they gnawed. She did not care for him, he reasoned, because she had laughed at him. If she had cared sue would have said SO. Mildred Holmes, in serious moments, maryelled at the inn perturbability of Richard Kane. His moods perplsxsd her.
 Captain Holmes was enthusiastic when he announced to Richard Kane that his daughter was to be married to Howard Maddern. The young man was shocked. but was still impenetrable. He smiled and said something pleasant when Captain Holmes told him with pride of the suc- | cess of Maddern in his profession. The wedding was to take place at Kensington in the autumn. Richard Kane laughed and suffered.
 So you are to be married in the fall" he said when he saw Mildred at the "big house."
 Father told your" she asked. lifting
 her eyes.
 Yes" coldiy. And I'm going to leave
 dear old Kensington and" And what?" he demanded sternly. And papa and mama." she replied, fur lively glancing at Mrs. Holmes. who sat near by.
 After this Richard Kane became re- eluse True, he went to the ''big house. | at meal hours, but he avoided Mildred. Great preparations were making for the | wedding and Kensington was a scene of gaiety. Dick was presented I to the guests but he avoided them as rig | orously as he avoided Mildred. She was | at the store daily and there he could not avoid her neither could he refuse to
 listen tb her future plans which she re- | lated to him with childish confidence. Every word ate into his heart. The night before the wedding Dick re- l solved to see Mildred alone. The guests
 were late in retiring and Dick. who had | been reading in the library, sought Mil 1 dred when he had evidence that the last | ones had left the big. old-fashioned par l lors. He met her in the reception hall and was about to speak.
 Dick" called Captain Holmes, Dick, want to see you a minute" | Dick stopped and the old man came | from the rear hallway As Mildred pass | ed her father she kissed her fingers to him and bade him good night, nodding airily to Dick, who saw her vanishing | form and repressed groan. Dick" asked Captain Holmes in an undertone, "how much money have you | got in the safe down at the store2'' Mildred heard the question and under stood its meaning. She was seized with
 a great fear. She stopped just behind ! the portieres and listened. T think there's about 800 there to-
 night" Dick replied, perhaps a little
 more. It's mostly in silver and couldn't l get it changed up today" My boy" said Captain Holmes, lay | ing his arm about the neck of the young
 man. 1t is very lmprudent of you to keep ] so much money there of nights. It would ] be an easy matter for some one to break | in, murder you and take the money. We
 might spare the money,t he added light
 heartedly, but we can't spare you. To- | morrow I hope you will send the cash to | town"
 "All right, Captain; all right" answered
 Dick cheeriiy. Needn't alarm yourself
 about me-
 Then Dick closed the door and Captain l Holmes retired to the library. \ Mildred. behind the portieres. was | wrung with emotions Her impulse was | to rush after Dick and beg him not to
 sleep at the store. Then she thought of | her father, but felt sure he would be
 offended if he knew she had heard the
 conversation. In anguish she turned to her dainty boudoir, but several hours
 passed before sleep overcame her. ! Tn his den back of the store Richard | Kane sat in deep reflection. l An well," he unused, every marriage | disappoints somebody. and may as well | put the little woman out of my life" Throwing himself upon the bed with 1 book in hand he began to seek the solace | that came to him in his college days. ------------------