The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-11
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORTlSTORY

hotiy '1-I think I'd be right glad"
 You don't mean that. do you?"a asked the cadet.
 They turned a corner sharply as he spoke. and Miss Howard gave cry of surprise. They were face to face with the man whom all the Point knew as Captain Bobs."
 stanton dropped his fstef,,l cigarette ta the ground moving to put his foot on It and trusting to Miss Towards greeting to distract the cfiicer's attention from him. Poor stanton. He had tempted chance once too often. The devil was in that stump of Rameses II. It bounced once on the ground with a crooked Jump and landed smoking exactly on the toe of Captain Bobs' boot.
 Miss Howard saw it and caught her breath. Captain Bobs felt It looked down incautiously. and then knocked It off. Il lay smouldering vieiously in the middle of the path and for a moment no one
 MT. Stanton" he began.
 Miss Howard interrupted him quickly. with d queer little laugh. Captain mighty sorry you caught me. We didn't think we'd meet anybody right around here. and I wanted to smoke just once for fun. So lit that eigarette, It isnt | ing straight into his eyes. T don't thini' Til do 1t again. ever. But please, Cap, tain Bobs, promise me you won't tell anybody you saw me. Will your? ]
 She asked 1t very charmilgly ana stood waiting his answer.
 Captain Bobs' keen eyes searched stan. toms face for d moment and found what they wanted there. Then he glanced back at Miss Howard and noted the tremble of her lip which she was trying to con- ceal The captain was as gallant as he was soldierly.
 "A lady's request" he said to her. "as well as lady's word"-he looked again at the Rameses II. and the silent cadet, 'is always honored by me.
 He bowed and left them standing in the path.
 after he was gone. Miss Howard waited at the river below. Then. MT. stanton, she said. aren't we going to finish our walk7''
 Page" the man answered her, sud. denly, Page. I am a coward. l did not realize what was happening. Do you think I'm going to have you bear the blame of that for me-" He kicked the cigarette scornfully over the edge Of the the walk if you don't mind: want to 20 back and speak to Captain Bobs."
 The girl put out her hand restrain .. You're J. M not going to tell him the Tor course I am.' answered Stanton
 Then you'n have to say to him." said Miss Howard deliberately. that toio hun lie. That wouldn't be nice of you. .,
 Stanton hesitated minute. Weu he said, it would be better than going through my entire existence feeling that was afraid to own up. and take the consequences like a man: .
 She laughed softly. SHY! she saio. Captain Bobs knows all about it.. He's not stupid And you have no right to wreck vo IT career at the beginning ot 1t and break your mothers heart if you can help 1t. jected the man, to think that hid be- hind a woman's skirts. And Captain Pobs viii despise me more. And you you will despise me most of all.
 The girl drew long breath. I-think not" she said. An" she broke nn, teasingly, T know what 1t really Is. You little kind act from me. Is that t?
 Page" he said. it will be the whole of my life that I owe to you If l accept your generous little lie"
 ''The debt can stand said the girl,
 No" he said. "a life for life. I will pay you now if you will take me. He held out his hands to her. Sweetheart. he said impetuously, "say you VIII marry me and I'll promise on the spot never to smoke again"
 Mlss1Howard answered from his arms with a little smile, showing behind the mist in her eyes.
 I'm afraid" she said, that I never could marry man who didn't smoke HE OPERA" by Florence W. Dinsmore.