The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11


 Anna May sat on. the front steps in the sunshine of Christmas morning, ostensibly reading the daily paper, but in reality watching from the cor ner of her eye, the house across the street where Roger Browne lived.
 Anna May was in way both phil- osopher and an artist; philosopher, because she had learned enough of the worlds wisdom to, make the most or every happy moment. going more than half the way to meet 1t with the enthusiasm of fresh and ardent spir- 1t; and an artist, because her heart beat responsively to all the beautiful things of life--love. friendship, family affection, the loveliness and fragrance of the flowers, the melody of the birds ali of the ever-changing and abun- dant charms of nature appealed to and thrilled her tender heart. So on this bright Christmas day, with the de- voted members of her family about her, with the memory of the handsome gifts recently received and so much joyousness, with the certainty of the bountiful Christmas dinner around which all would shortly gather, An ma May knew she should be happy. But alas! how could she have heart for these things when she and Roger were apart! What day 1t might have been could they have spent 1t togetheri
 Not for the world would she have had any one suspect that she so much as glanced at the house across the street. No, to all intents and pur- poses she was deep in the persual of the latest news from the Eastern war. But It is wonderful what girl can see from the corner of her eye, so not person entered or left the Browne premises unobserved by Anna May. There was no sign of Roger. As is the case in most lovers quar- rels. their arrangement had been caused primarily by a small matter. A misunderstanding of an engagement by Roger, resented with undue heat by Anna May. called forth a speech of such force from his as to convince that astonished young woman that he needed immediate dfsciplining. If he talked to her in that tone now. she said hotly, what could she expect when she was married to him and coud not help herself.
 She would rather a thousand times be an old maid than a brow-beaten wife Mir. Browne promptly suggested that she had best not risk her happiness with him. and taking up his hat, strode away. Anna May looked for his return the next day, and then sent back the ring. Still he did not return. In the wretched weeks which had interven ed he had, in a mans way, kept to him. self, nursing his misery. while she, ir a woman's way, had fiirted outrageous ly and apparently with great enjoy ment with her Cousin Ralph. who had tz hnr 2hr C in truth. however, an exceedingly un- happy young woman. What difference did 1t make, she asked herself angrily how Roger talked to her, if only he talked to her. And, O, how she pitied her poor little third finger on her left hand! It had been a beautiful ring. Presently Polly came around the cor ner of the house eating a cold baked sweet potato. Seating herself on the bottom step, she began industriously to try to lift from the walk pebble by squeezing 1t between the first and sec ond toes of her black foot. Two small stiff crinkly braids tied with yellow twine, stood upright on Polly's head Rocking herself to and fro. she smack. ed her lips and rolled her big black eyes knowingly at Anna May. Polly was a character, tolerated with a de- gree of patience by the members of the household, on account of the many ex- cellences of her mother DInah, the cook, who lived with her family on the back lot. Just as certain good and wise persons are born into the world lovers of and seekers for truth, sc was Polly born a devotee of the other thing. To her a falsehood was a sweet morsel, to be rolled about the tongue and enjoyed to the full. With the
 
 gro. thrown from infancy upon her own disdain for the truth, degree of his trionic ability. and a power of elabor. ation nothing short of marvellous. The deeds Polly had performed, the hor. rible accidents she had witnessed, the narratives she could relate with only a passing remark for a starter" were the wonder and despair of the house. hold. No amount of punishment could turn her from the error of her ways To the last she would solehnly assert that she told the truth.
 A boy came in the gate with a large package which he handed to Anna May She opened the box to disclose a mass of roses and carnations with the card of her cousin Ralph. Polly, all inter- est, edged nearer. Her eyes sparkled Tn neT Sudll, "SdzcHcu ldCS anu Hcl white teeth shone as she looked "Mistah B'owne he bring a big box she remarked.
 Anna May started. "No." she said sadly, these are not from MT. Browne It was always unwise to contradict Polly. 'Mistah B'owne did" she as. serted. He cum and he ring de bell an he ring de bell. an he ring de bell" She jumped up and down to emphasize her remarks. her eyes growing round with excitement-"but nobody didn't cum," she concluded, dra- matically.
 Polly, aren't you ashamed to tell such stories!" said Anna May, with a sigh.
 "Yas'm" she continued, waxing