The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-26
Our Daily $bort Story

ed to hurt for joy. And newell, she
 almost forgot him in the presence of the
 other. But he only smiled and went his way.
 l Up in the rosejar the pile of dollars was
 steadily growing-leaves there were few.
 having been sacrificed to make room for | the increasing store. In another six
 months he was to pay off the mortgage
 old Curmudgeon had refused to accept | partial payment-he wanted interest.
 They laughed as they pictured Curmud- geon's face when he should lay down the whole $500 in lump and demand the deed.
 l Tho time was nearly up and the moth- CT. between her home and husband and l babe went about radiant with her joy. Her laugh grew infectious-he cought 1t ! when his days work was done and forgot his newspaper at times. One night the junior partner asked him l to remain after work. Anxious to please, he consented-though hoping he might 1 speedily get away homeward to her. You play cards home. Harold. I pre- sume?' remarked the junior partner. in- sinuatingly. He wavered. "oh. no-that is, not any more" he said, flushing. "Oh well. that's all right. you'll help fill out table for me. won't your" 'T-" "Got couple old college chums up at the hotel-be a Kindness really" said the partner.
 Come on--just an hour, you know she'll let you off for once--brace up He went. He blushed red as rose when his fingers touched the cards and he knew that he trembled. His gaining instinct told him that the men on either side were far from college chums of the junior partners. Yet he did not shrink from them--he resolved to hold his own at least. He loathed a retirement at this stage-he thought of his meager store of neatly folded bills in an inside pocket and the fever was on him.
 When the hour was up he felt that he must sbe fully a hundred dollars to the good. He glanced at his watch--then at the junior partner, who carelessly nod ded and the game went on. Etiquette demanded it.
 Another hour passed-he hated to think it-yet If he was not even again he had lost but slightly. At any rate, no danger ous sum, he unused.
 Twas midnight when he found himself upon the doorstep-fearing to lift the latch. His guilty conscience was lash ing him like a whip of thongs-he cring- ed like a cur Through his brain letters of fire were reeling and Staggering like drunken men--he pictured the cruel scene how he had fought the demon-fought and succumbed-how in the last mad pas sion of desperation he had dashed off his written obligation covering the entire savings in her rosejar-how the junior partner had readily endorsed it--how he then had staked and lost-all
 "Is that you, TTarry?' came a voice from within. n..-.-' H ---'s
 "Yes,'' he said, hoarsely.
 The door opened softly and she stood before him.
 'Why. how late. HarFy-and how worn you look-what is it. Fove?''
 Work at the store-big shipment nearly done up," he gaSped.
 She innocent thing, believed him. He felt dagger at his heart as he uttered the lie. He flung himself on the bed and pretended to sleep. She caressed his heat ed brow with her soft hands and he would have shrunk from her touch as from punishment.
 My poor boy" she was saying.
 Hours passed by and she slept. He lay awake wide-eyed-staring into the darkness. He was debating a great ques- ton. After long while he leaned over and kissed the babe. Then he lightly touched his lips to hers and fingered a single, hesltating moment. She stirred --murmured Harry" and smiled in her dreams. He quietly arose and crept out choking. One last pitiful glance towards her-the babe-home-and he was gone.
 Three days later they dragged him out --slimy, swollen, unnatural.
 He was a victim of hls harmless curse TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY. aIra druggists refund the money if 1t fails to cure E. w. Groves signature is on each box oSc