The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-25

AOSASA hSoA t-SlAAh6S Obes Oub OClNSA NheSt than he should remain and be witness to his own disgrace, and to the bitter humiliation of his father.
 Silas had intended to warn his son that he was throwing away his time by going with Eugenia Claiborne-that marriage with her as utterly impossible. But it was very delicate subject, and, once embarked in. he would have been unable to give his son any adequate or sa4is- factory reason for the interdiction. Many wild and whirhng thoughts passed through the mind of Silas Tomlin, but it had never been Silass way to run from trouble. When a boy. if his nurse told him the boogerman was behind bush, he always insisted on investigating. The |, same impulse seized him now. If this Mrs. Claiborne proposed to make any move against him--as he inferred from the hints which the jovial Mir. Sanders had flung at his head-he would find out what she meant, and what she wanted.
 Silas was prompt to act on the inn pulse, and as soon as he could make the house secure, he proceeded to the Gather Place. His knock, after some delay, was answered by Eugenia. The girl involun- tarily drew back when she saw who the visitor was. What is it you wish?' she inquired.
 If your mother is at home, please ask her if she will see Silas Tomlin on a matter of business"
 Eugenia left the door open, and in a moment. from one of the rear rooms came the sound of merry, unrestrained laughter, which only ceased when some one uttered a warning "Sh-h!'
 Eugenia returned almost immediately and invited the visitor into the parlor.
 Inu nA hf unFa nxaA had time to look about hdm before the lady of the house came in. It was his second visit to Mrs. Claiborne, and he observed many changes had taken place in. the disposition of the furniture and the draperies. He noted, too, with feel ing of exasperation, that his own portrait hung on the wall in close proximity to that of Rita Claiborne. He clenched his hands with inward rage. What does this she-devil mean?" he asked himself, and at that moment the object of his anger swept into the room. She had the air of a victor who is willing" to be magnani- nous.
 What Is your business with mel" she asked with lifted eyebrows. There was just the shadow of a smile lowering around her mouth. Silas caught it, and looking into a swinging mirror opposite,
 
 with a weazened face and skullcap to cope with such a woman as this.
 T want to know what you intend to do," said Silas, ''I want to know what to expect. I'm tired of leading a dogs life. hear you have been colloguing with lawyers"
 Do you remember your first visit here?' inquired Mrs. Claiborne very sweetly. Do you remember how wildly you taIked-how insulting you were?"
 'I declare to you on my honor that never intended to insult you," Silas ex- claimed.
 Why, all your insinuations were in- sulting. You gave me to understand that my coming here was an outrage-as if you had anything to do with my movements. But you insisted that my coming here was an attack on you and your son. When and where and how did 1 ever do you a wrong?'
 Why didn't you-didn't-" Silas tried hard to formulate his wrongs, but they were either so many or so few that words failed him.
 Did desert you when you were i'll and delirious? Did l put faith in an anony- nous letter and believe you to be dead?"
 For a little while Sdlas made no reply. but sat like one dazed, his eyes fixed on the crayon portrait of himself. Did you hang that thing up there for Paul to see it, and ask questions about it?" he asked, after awhile.
 "I hung it there because I chose to-" she replied. Judge Vardeman thinks 1t Is very good likeness of you, but don't agree with him. Do you think 1t does you justice?" she asked.
 And then there's Paul." said Silas, ig har pttaotinn ttTlO let him go ahead and fall in love with the girl?''
 Paul is not my son." the lady calmly answered.
 But the girl is your daughter" snas insisted.
 q shall look after her welfare. never fear" said the lady.
 But suppose they should take a notion to marry; what would you do to stop 'em?"
 "Oh, well, that is a question for the fu- ture," replied the lady, serenly.
 Her composure, her indifference. caused Silas to writhe and squirm in his chair, and she, seeing the torture she was in- hicting. appeared to be very well con- tent.
 T didn't come to argue" said Silas pres ently. T came for information; want  getting my deserts, l reckon. What sowed that I'm reaping."
 "Ah!' the lady exclaimed softly, and with an air of satisfaction' Do you re- ally feel so?'' She leaned forward & lit tle, and there was that In her eyes that denoted something else besides satisfac- tfon; compassion shone there. DO you really feel that I would be justified if l confirmed the suspicious you have eX- pressed2"
 "so far as I am concerned, you'd be doing exactly right" said Silas bluntly. But what about Paul?'
 Well, what about Paul2' Mrs. Clai- borne asked.
 Well, for one thing, he's never done you any harm. And there's another thing" said Silas, rising from his seat: "Td be willing to have my body pulled to pieces, inch by inch. and my bones broken. piece by piece. to save that boy one single pang."
 He stood towering over the lady. For once he had been taken clean out of him self, and he seemed to be transhgured- Mrs. Claiborne rose also Certainly this WAS not the mean and shabby figure she had found in the parlor when she first came in. She sighed as she turned her eyes away.
 .sDo YOU remember what I told you on the occasion of your first visit?'' she in- o,Iired very seriously You were both rude and disagreeable, but said that I'd not trouble you again, so long as you left me alone"
 "Weu. haven't I left you afone?" asked Silas.
 lo syo,, call this 2''