The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-10

ways met in society. His mother looked | on smilingly, and felt that at last her day was come. She was very proud of the tall son who had come home from the ranches to be the favorite among the best people of the land. . What a fortunate boy you are, Stu art?'' she said blithe.y, one day. T really believe you could marry any girl you llked-and there is such a list of eligible girls. now"
 "You are going to make me vain!" said Stuart, gravely. Don't tell me that the girls are throwing away hearts at that rate! And besides, I have another engagement"
 "You-you are engaged?" cried his hope-I do hope you are not going to do anything foolish--when there are so many splendid matches you might make, right here at home!"
 "You talk as though I lived in Utah, mother" said Stuart. composedly, "Oh, you know what I meant" walled his mother. fretfully. "Who is she, Stu art-what is her name?"
 "I can't tell you that" he said with more truth than his mother knew, and | beyond that he was dumb. It was the only mention he ever made of the young girl he had seen for a few brief moments in the room next his at the smart new l Imperial hotel; but he had thought of | her very often. When she was in his l thoughts. flush came to his face and a tender light to his eyes. If he had been an artist, he could have drawn her pie i ture. perfect in every detail. Even when she turned away and hid her face. he could see her Still-the one white wrist that was visible below her flushed cheek the back of pretty neck. against which little curls were cdustering-the | small waist with it's encircling ribbon. | A thousand times in fancy he went there again. and she was waiting for him; and he had only to look into her eyes, to read his answer there.
 He slipped away from them all at the last, without exciting comment, not even | his mother knowing that he had c long solve in the steady blue eyes. he took his way across the continent and toward the l Imeperial hotel in a certain town where his fate was waiting.
 l 1t would seem that fortune was not l best pleased with him. for freight wreck on the road detained his train for some weary hours, and he found himself stranded in a towna doomed to wander about 1t aimlessly and get through the I hours as best he could.
 Hello. FelIowsr' cried familiar voice l was extended to him. If this isn't luck! Where did you light from? Here, come | up to my rooms and dress up--I'u lend | you a rig. Got to go to a function-you shall go with me. Senator HarkwrightE { daughter, Mrs. Timothy Durbin, going to be there. You ought to meet her any how. It'll give me a chance to show her what her fathers constituents look like. Il
 Stuart hesitated. and went. It would help to pass the evening-to make the time endurable until that wretched train started on its way again.
 The function was much like other func- tions. he noticed, except that there was less stiffness than back at home; but his thoughts were elsewhere, and he did not find himself getting on well. He was leaning against a door. his arms folded and his eyes looking quite through the crowds passing before him, when his friend touched his arm.
 Mrs. Durbin, let me introduce my friend, MT. Fellows-one of your fathers constituents" the friend said amiably- Why, hello, Miss Harkwright-didn't sex you-Miss Harkwright. MT. Fellows"
 The ranchman stood aghast, his eye: ranging from the face of Mrs. Durbin the lips twitching with suppressed laugh,
 ter to the face of the girl beside her The slender figure before him seemed 3C have risen, an embodiment of the misti of his memory. save that 1t was clad ir white as soft as moonlight. and that 6
 priceless string of pearls encircled hei
 white throat. He had grown pale as hC
 looked, but she was not pale as her eyei
 dropped before his. Quite the contrary