The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-06
HIS HOMECOMING.
nx Iulia Truitt Bishop.

HIS HOME.COMlNG.
 By Julia Truitt Bishop. Copyright, 1908. by Daily Story Pub. Co.)
 Miss Arkwright had thrown herself into the first easy chair she found with little sigh, after the silent dinner with her aunt sitting opposite. There were times when 1t was easy to be bright and to think of merry things to say. but this was the evening of a particularly trying day, when 1t seemed that years and years of toll were all one had to look forward to- and it became necessary to wonder if 1t were worth while.
 She listened absently to the ringing of the doorbell, and to the heavy steps of the one maid of all work as she clumped along the halt-a white cap disgusting, as well as might be, her too-intimate asso- ciation with pots and pans. When, after ward. the heavy steps clumped up the stairs and a card, held gingerly by the tiniest corner. was deposited before her. Miss Arkwright started up with gasp.
 Tom Alton! Home again! Home at last!
 in frantic haste dragged down a gown or two. and swept them aside. and land her hands on another. Then she paused and looked at her reflection in the mirror. turning the light a little higher as she did so. She had on her street dress still a blue serge, relieved only by the snowy bands at throat and wrist, and the soft whitehess of a vest that was her one concession to her old feminine love of flnery. It would do as we'll as anything. She strengthened herself and walked se- dately down the stairs. And, indeed, what did the gown matter to the sum hrnwnad who waiting her with some impatience? If he saw what she had on. no doubt he thought 1t the ideal thing to be worn on such ocasions.
 Well, Tom! she cried, gayly, holding out her hand as she came. We thought you had given up your own country for good. You might have dropped us a hint you were coming, think"
 T din't know it myself until half an hour before I sailed" he said. looking her over with the fine deliberation that was so like him. Upon my word, here you are-the Gwen of old days. I would have known you anywhere--though you have grown half foot or go since went
 (Which implies that I was very young i've years ago." she laughed. "I was only 17-and a little simple addition will enable you to observe that am not an octogenarian now" She was very com posed. and arranged the white band at her wrist with great care.
 You don't look very old," he said, crit icallyq. T could almost believe that nothing had changed since disappeared" |"
 'Oh, yes-there have been a few changes" she said. with sudden serious ness. But Aunt Jennie and I are left. She will be glad to see you. We are lit- tie dull here-and this evening the dull ness seemed toto pile up. you know. think I would have known you, Tom though you are so brown. Have you been summing yourself on the seashore. as tho girls are said to do, just to get that color: And there is something in your-your ex- pression, I think 1t must be- Her eyes dropped & little as she said it, and her pale face flushed. There was some- thing in his expression.
 "Of course. you heard of father 5 death, she went on. hastily. We had nothing left afterwards-nothing but this old home-and I have tried desperately to hold on to that It has been a strug- gle. To think of us with only one servant, Tom! Did you not see her when you came in? When the bell rings she snatches on that cap and apron and does l rapid transformation act, looking as refined as she can, under the circum- stances. Aunt Jennie and help her with the work when we have time. It is like being stranded on a desert island--and yours is the first footprint in the sand | We have seen for-oh, such a long time" "But-but, Gwen. how do you keep up, If this house is all?" he cried. bluntly. for he was in deep distress, which made speech difficult,
 "Oh. I am working" she said, lightly have been working three years now. It is great fun-r always resented the use- lessness of the life I was leading. So walks out every morning, and comes in every evening, and I earns my little salary-and We pay as We go, and when we can't pay. we don't go."
 Gwen, Gweni" cried dTom, his accus- ing eyes upon her. And you never let me know! That wasn't very friendly, 1t seems to me! And I have been throwing away money on every confounded toy happened to fancy!'
 "It couldn't be helped. Tommy. dear" she laughed. with an air of very grown up young lady talking to a very small boy. "I didn't seem to have any talent for the organ and the tin cup and the street corner. so had to work. Besides, I like the new life better than the old. My employer is lovely"
 And I suppose he Is some toothless old fossil, making a fool of himself about you!'' said Tom. savagely, turning d flushed face toward her.
 He isn't so very old" said Gwen, blushing still more now. And he-he has teeth.'
 Tom started up and walked about the room.
 Not more than 75. of course! How could you, Gwen-how could you-when I love you as I do"
 ''It seems to me that you have man aged to sustain life very well under the burden of your affection" said Gwen, turning her back to him and looking into the fire.
 T was a fool.' he retorted "I loved you when went away, little slip of n girl as you were. But your father-I thought you were going to marry that cad of WQrthington--"
 He wasn't cad!" retorted Miss Ark wright. haughtily. Besides which I wasn't going to marry him. Pap liked him-and he didn't like you. because you were simply a rich man and nothing else but MT. Worthington married Mrs. Yer riter. years ago, and was only of the | bridesmaids-dressed in pale green-I have the gown yet, but it is too short now. Men are so quick of perception, Tom"' She moved around the room, straight I ening things which the young woman of cap and gown had failed to set in their proper places Tom paused to look into the fire, his elbow on the mantel.
 And am too late!'' he said bitterly.