The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-22

Then I'll see him first" said Neishbor Tomiin. He went into the parlor. and those who were listening heard a sub dued murmur of voices.
 What Is your business with Miss Bri- dalbin?" Neighbor Tomlin asked, ignor- ing the profrered hand of the visitor. 1T am her father"
 Neighbor Tomlin stood staring at the man as if he were dazed. Bridalbin' s face bore unmistakable marks of alco- holism and he evidently prepared him. self for this interview by touching the bottle, for he held himself with a swag- ger.
 Neighbor Tomlin said not a word in re- ply to the mans declaration. He stared at him and turned and went back Into the sitting room, where he had left the others.
 Why, Pulaski. what on earth Is the matter?" cried Miss Fanny, as he en- tered the room. "You look as If you had seen ghost" And indeed his face was white and there was an expression in his eyes that Nan thought was most pIteous.
 "Go In, my dear" he said to Margaret. ''The man has business with you" And then. when Margaret had gone out. he turned to Mss Fanny. Tt Is her fath- er," he said.
 Well, I wonder what he's up to?" re- marked Miss Fanny. There was a touch of anger in her voice, "she shan't go a step away from here with such Q crea- ture as that
 ''she Is her own mistress, sister. She Is 20 years old," replied Neighbor Tomlin
 Well, she'll be very ungrateful If she leaves us," said Miss Fanny, with some emphasis.
 Don't sister; never use that word again; to me 1t has an ugly sound. We have had no thought of gratitude in the matter. If there is any debt in the mat ter, we are the de1tors. We have not been at all happy in the way we have managed ourselves I have seen for some time that Margaret Is unhappy; and We have no business to permit unhappiness to creep into this house." So said Neigh hor Tomlin. and the tones of his voice seemed to issue from the fountains of grief
 "WelI am sure I have done all I could to make the poor child happy, Miss Fanny declared. t
 "I am sure of that said Neighbor Tomlin. 'If any mistake has been made 1t Is mine. And yet have never had any other thought than to make Marga- ret happy"
 q know that well enough, Pulaski" Miss Fanny assented, 'and have some times had an idea that you thought too much about her for your own good"
 That is true" he replied. He was merciless critic of himssif in matters both great and small, and he had no conceal ments to make. "Yes, you are right" he insisted: ''I have thought too much about her happiness for my own good, and now see myself on the verge of great trouble"
 "If Margaret understood the situation" said Miss Fanny, T think she would feel differently"
 'On the contrary, think she under stands the situation perfectly well; that is the only explanation of her troubles which she has sought to conceal"
 At that moment Margaret came to the door. Her face was very pale, almost ghastly. indeed, but whatever trouble may have looked from her eyes before. thei were clear now. She came Into the room with a little smile lowering around her mouth. She had no eyes for any one but Pulaski Tomlin. and to him sine spoke.
 My father has come" she said. ''IIe is not such a father as I would have se lected: still, he is my father. l knew him the moment l opened the door. He wants me to go with him; he says he is able to provide for me. He has claims on me-"
 Have we noneT' Miss Fanny asked.
 More than anybody in the world" re- piled Margaret. turning to her; more than all the rest of the world put to- gether. But I have always said to my self" she addressed Neighbor Tomlin again, that if 1t should ever happen that I found myself unable to carry out your wishes sir 1t would be best for me to leave your roof where all my happi- ness has come to me-" She was very humble, both In speech and demeanor.
 Neighbor Tomlin looked at her with a puzzled and grievsd expression. Why, I don't understand you. Margaret" said