The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-18
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

When came to Boston as student two years ago, little expected to D, living on Beacon Street at the end Ui my course. My sojourn in New Englant arranged for before left home, and had consented to share 1t with some unknown young woman, in order to les sen expenses. For weeks that individual occupied my mind to the almost entire exclusion of everything else. conceiv. ed of her as an example of every type common to the human race, and ther as composite parsonage typical o Northerner. and felt in my Southern soul that my provincialisms would get the discipline they needed.
 mass Misa co1,asx ssis IS , nsw l am afrad l was a little nervous as I shook Miss Latham's hand, but there was not the slightest trace of self-con- talking easily and naturally and fifteen minutes of pleasant colnmonpl1ces al ssi- pated my nervousness. Then she said:
 T shall have to ask yci to excuse me paper work, and must finish an article this afternoon"
 She went to her desk and began to write. She did not look formidable. and was so utterly oblivious of my presence that I tnew she cn,ud not be criticisng me. Indeed, in less than a fortnight, I found that. as far as Miss Latham was concerned, l might as well have been without provincialisms.
 Miss Latham and talked much of our work. She almost never mentioned her personal affairs. and though 1 felt I mire her thoroughly. Her quiet. steady way of doing things. her seif-possession. and even her reserve attracted me.
 I soon noticed that she was working lessened, saw there was underneath her quiet calmness something pathetic.
 On Christmas eve l came home in a particularly bright mood. l ran light ant to do away with the elevator-and opened our door, waving two letters tri- umphantly.
 Two lovely Christmas letters. Miss from home; and just the jolliest, chum- miest one from Brother Don"
 Miss Latham sat In the armchair by the window. also with an open letter still, and I walked over to where she sat. As I reached her, I saw a tear fall on the letter. It was too much for my impulsive Southern temperament. Forget. ting the reserve I knew 50 well, said unhesitatingly:
 What Is it, Jeanr
 But I didn't wait for any answer. I settled down on the arm of the chair, We sat there in perfect silence for awhile Presently, she began to talk. and soon understood the pathos under Jeans dig. nifty.
 Tt happened twelve years ago. Helen. when I was only Il. Dick was ten years older than I. We lived on q farm in Yer mont. which had been In our family for generations. Fathers strongest wish was to have Dick stay on the farm. But Dick didn't like farming. and went away to learn a profession. Father was very an- gry. He forbade Dick 10 write to us, and mothers heart nearly broke Two years ago father died. We had then lost all trace of Dick. and mother went to live with Sister Louise. came to Bos- ton to earn my living. and look for Dick. IT could only find him. Helen. and give him back to mother. don't believe there would be anything left to wish for. Be- fore father died. someone from our vil- lage saw Dick in Boston. and somehow. I can't help thinking he'll come back here sometime "
 She stopped talking, and I felt that I wanted to spend the rest of my natural life looking for Dick Latham. I quietly hid Don's letter from Jean's sight.
 He wouldn't know me. Helen; I was only Il, you know. But I'm sure I should recognize Dick. He was full grown then, and wouldn't have changed much'',
 Our Christmas was a very quiet one. Jean was not at all well. In the evening she became feverish. and by morning was very i'll. Her fever increased so rap idly that she soon failed to recognize me. Expert care was absolutely necessary.
 Sundays story, "A HOUSE DIVIDED AG.