The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-07
IN SHIFTING SANDS.
BY ANNA. D. HoKE,

the singer saw young man cross the big, untidy yard and advance toward her.
 What a good looking fellow he is." the girl thought, as she watched him. He had taken of his hat, revealing head of noble proportions. His whole attire bespoke hard labor and poverty, yet it could not hide the grace of his strong. well built figure; while the firm lines on his handsome face showed Bruce Carlton to be a man who. having once put his hand to the blow, would die before turning back.
 You know that song is not so. Lucy" he said. What makes you sing It. Love is not afraid of poverty. nor hard work. nor nothing else. It, just keeps on growing stronger when it has all those things to fight against.
 "I don't believe it," said the girl. sullenly. T don't see any love in this -and with comprehensive sweep of her bare. shapely arms. she indicated the forlorn, tumbling old house. the fallen fences, even her faded. patched garments. Everywhere was poverty. neglect and decay.
 T know it, Lucy; but there's a cause for all this"
 An angry flush crept over her face. and he saw no more must be said on that subject. "I will work for you. sweetheart. I know I am poor; we're both used to that. and if love starts out with us poor, he won't have any ex- cuse for flying out of the window"
 Evidently this was not the first time the subject had been discussed between them. as the only answer the girl made was to say: Jim Deckman was over yesterday"
 It was to his face that the angry flush came now.
 What did he wantT
 
 my telling you"
 See here, Lucy. don't want to. make you mad: but you ought to have seen enough of that. There was a time when your folks had just as much money and land as his folks have now: and you know where it has gone. Jim is rich now. but give him time and the saloons will get his money. the same as they got other peoples. Wait for me, and I can promise you. that with the way work, and the way he drinks. 1t won't be many years before him and have changed places"
 "Wait.' said the girl, bitterly 'Be- fore that time comes will have grown old, wrinkled and ugly. I'm tired of being poor"
 She had taken the butter out of the churn now, every move revealing the perfect curves of her young form Not even the expression of discontent could mar the beauty of her lovely, though somewhat weak face.
 Moodily he watched her step from the porch to the we'll, and pump the clear water over the golden Jumps of butter. Then he pulled a piece of pa- per from his pocket and read it over many times. although he knew it's contents word for word.
 "Wanted-By the Jewel Match com pany, men Highest wages paid for lnh
 The girl at last finished her task. and, wheeling the churn into a corner sat down beside him. In that moment his decision was made.
 Lucy" he said. quietly, I'm going away. How long will you give me to make a good home for your"
 T told Jim Deckman wouldn't marry him as long as he drank like-l like father does. You know I love you best. but I just can't stand being poor all my life. I'm willing to wait a few years, only I won't marry you until you can give me as fine a home as he has"
 The optimism of youth and health was in his soul. Firmly, he took her hands into his. l-+ -f f
 Lucy. I'm going a great way off, You know am no hand with a pen-- I've worked too hard for that---but you will know I love you all the time, even IL yOu uON near rom me. Tell me now long time I may have, and then promise to wait until I come back"
 After moments thought she said:
 T will wait three years. It's a long lime, but you are worth it." Quickly he took her in his arms. gave her his last kiss. and was gone.
 The furnaces of the Jewel Match Company threw their red glow over a motley. ghostly crew of men, whose pallid skin and sunlxen eyes gave evi- dence of the deadly nature of their work Their faces were protected by ! masks, yet there was one who, in spite of the stifiing fumes, worked at a cauldron with uncovered face. as though he disdained that much ob- struction to his labor. So intent was he on his duty he failed at first to hear the message. loudly spoken, that he was wanted at once in the manager's office.
 The workmen looked at him curious ly This strange, silent man, who had come among them two years ago. bearing the marks of the pure noun tain air on his stalwart frame. and knew no more of the match than that 1t was useful bit of pine with which to light his pipe and fire. Today there was not better posted man on the force than this ignorant stranger who moved away so quietly to that dread sanctum-the managers office. When there. he accepted the proffer- ed seat with something of his old-time grace; while the manager looked at him keenly. then pityingly.
 You tell me you have succeeded Mir. Carlton Is it worth the pricer'
 At the question there came a glow into those sunken eyes Worth the price! I would give my very soul to win that for which I have been working. Why should I begrudge ,ny body? Yes, have succeeded. What will you pay me for the discov- ery?"
 The manager looked skeptical
 Tt is a great deal to ask me to he- lieve that you. man who, two years ago. had never seen a bit of crude phosphorus, should be able today to demonstrate that you have a process by which amorphous phosphorus can be made into a practical match The se- cret is one which has baffied men of science since the very beginning of the industry" That is not the question. MT. Greeves. tell you have discovered it. The point with me is, what am 10 get out of itT'
 Very we'll" and leaning forward he named sum which to Bruce Carlton seemed like wealth untold 'I accept the offer; now make out the contract and will demonstrate my