The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-11-01

The love of adventure was predominant I ly characteristic of Marion Houston's s makeup. In fact she was constantly being reproved by mother and older sisters for
 her lax ways in regard to observation of conventions. The little episode I am go- ing to attempt to narrate here will con- vince you that their fears and accusa-
 tions were not unfounded.
 Marion was prettIer than the average young lady one meets. She had no de-
 cided ambition in life, but she thought of
 the time when she would be the wife of
 some very wealthy man. Tn fact, her as-
 pirations were so very childish that they seemed founded on the ground work of
 fairy tale. It might be best to give you the idea I should like to give you of Ma rion. to pass over the girl herself and her other characteristics and get at the ad- venture that I am going to try to relate in this brief story.
 She lived in a large city, and every day on her way to school she had to pass a
 place where they had in big attractive let ters:. Private wires to New York, New Orleans, Chicago. Wheat, Stocks and Bonds" Marion had a vague idea that this was a speculating business and to in- dulge her curiosity to find out how such things were conducted. she looked in as often as she passed and in vain tried to u0ClpneT Luo hICAOBlJ PhASo SiiN saw written on the board. Men ever think that a girl considers them the attraction If they happen to see the fair ones look
 ing through windows where only men are apt to go. As Marion passed the window one day she was greeted with smile from within, do not think she returned It.
 that would not be in keeping with her nature. She went home and thought about the matter and the next day she k.o he tan n look out and smile. T never thought about a speculator." she said.
 He was there at the window every morning, and Marion tried to look sweeter each morning than she had the morning before and what was more natural than
 the fact that Marion, after awhile. had a very pleasant expression on her face when her eyes met his.
 One crisp morning in spring, Marion was feeling particularly fine, even the man | looked as if he, too. was In the best of spirits MT. Hardeman," Marion called him to herself. for the name of the firm | was in great gilt letters over the door. | ''Hardeman & Son." she was satisfied this was the son. The doors of the office were open and the younger Hardeman had | stretched himself at full length on one | of his desks, he had just slightly raised | his head to look out on the street as Ma
 rlon passed He got up, shook himself and went out on the street. Marion walk l ing along in a dreamy abstracted way
 let all of her books slip the strap and come tumbling to the pavement thert piled in confusion were Livy, Calculus, Psychology and numberless other lesse lights of educational enlightenment, scat | tered all around and being waited hero and there by the gentle spring zephyr then | stirring, were papers galore with that days lessons written out on them, and
 Marion groaned as she stopped to pick them up. She was arrested, however, by
 a voice, Allow meT' 1t said. and Marion | looked around and saw her cavalier of the wheat, stocks and bonds window bending
 to replace the disordered books. Real
 gratitude beamed in her eyes as she took
 the neatly placed books from his hands
 and she said Thank you" with feeling as
 he lifted his hat and turned to go.
 She went home and told her mother
 told her how the man from the gambling concern had helped her so kindly, she
 did not tell her, however, of the events
 leading up to that suspicious morning
 for she knew the scolding in store for her
 in case it was made known. He was standing in the door the next morning and \ spoke to her as she passed. After a
 while he would walk with her block and
 then go back. She unloaded her con- ! Sctanee of this to her Enathar. Who N