The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-08-31

with the anticipations which had been growing during the voyage. on, the Pullman car as 1t neared the old home | town. he overheard a conversation which froze his heart. Two women in | an adjoining seat were talking. He heard the name of his wife mentioned. Then:
 ''Oh. yes, she's going to marry again. Perfectly infatuated with Herbert de Kraft"
 Well, I don't blame her. He's the handsomest man in town and the most brilliant. And she's worn her mourn ing long enough"
 It was like driving knife into his | heart Immediately upon his arrival he made searching inquiries and all he learned corroborated the gossip of the | train. He spent days and nights in keen mental anguish. He looked at himself in the glass and saw his ema- ciated form. sunken cheeks. thin hair and realized that he was only the ghost of the old Everett Mason. Had he the right to project this ghost be- tween the woman he loved so we'll and her happiness. Finally he resolved to make the supreme sacrifice. "Everett Mason Is dead" said he, re- soluteiy. Let the grave hold its own. Today Joseph Collins is born" He resolved. however. to see her once more before he went out into his lone- some life. He tfied for days but could find no opportunity. At last he re- solved on a bold course. He saw an md vertisement in O paper for a door man at tho old home. With Il gri,D smile he resolved to apply for the ro sition of door man Tn his old home. He would remain there a day or two and then disappear He had no fear that she would know him. he was so greatly changed.
 Collins had just thrown a log on the grate fire in the library where she and her sister sat. and was retiring when e remark by the sister caught his at- tention and he paused just beyond the portiere.
 Grace surely you are not going to marry de Kraft" she said.
 T do not know" she replied. wear fly. Why not?"
 After such a splendidly ideal mar ried with such a man as Everett Ma son." went on the sister. "A marriage with so superficial a man as de Kraft would be sacrilege."
 T know, I know" replied Grace slow ly. "But I am so lonesome and so tired of thinking. believe I shall go mad if do not get away from my self. I start every time 1 hear a foot step on the walk-every time the bell rings and my heart beats like a trip hammer until l know who 1t Is. Oh, 1t is torture, torture--and I have en- dured 1t for five long years. Herbert makes me forget. He is artistic, witty and soothing. When he is about, my pain eases for the time. Would it if he were with me always? Would new interests fill my life?"
 N'It would be 0 hideous mistake" an- swered her sister, indignantly. sweep ing from the room and running into Collins whom she reprimanded severe ly for being in the way.
 few moments later Collins took Herbert de Kraft's card to Mrs. Mason, and admitted him to the library. Then he deliberately took up his position within hearing distance.
 T am to have my answer today" said de Kraft. eagerly.
 Yes" faintly.
 And 1t Is 'yes?" leaning forward and reaching for her hand.
 'I do not know" replied the woman in low voice. gazing into the fire.
 T will make you happy. dear," he said.
 She closed her eyes and tried to think Before her mental vision rose
  him in his ardent counting, in his splen- did triumphs in court and on the plat form. She felt the electric thrill which | he sent through his audiences. She felt his arms about her and heard his boyish laughter as he told her some | humorous incident the day had brought forth, She almost felt his breath on
 her cheek and lis lips on hers. She opened her eyes.
 "No," she replied, rising abruptly. T cannot. I have had one supreme love and 1t is as strong today as 1t ever | has been. I had hoped to keep you | for a friend. like you immensely and | you have helped me so much to forget. | But I cannot go further and give you l that which Is buried in the grave" The man arose and silently went out.
 She rang for Collins. but Collins had | disappeared.
 A few days later there was great commotion in the city. Everett Mason.
 supposed to be dead these five years | had returned. And he entered again l into the possession of his kingdom.