The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-22
THE INITIATION.
BY BELLE MANIATEs.

BY BELLE MANIATES. Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub.
 Col
 Helen White, most becomingly gowned. came into the music room after dinner shaded the lights, turned on the gas logs and arranged the music on the plano.
 Nell, I see you are making elabo- rate preparations to receive callers" said her brother. Fred banteringly. T am sorry to convey 10 you the dis appointing intelligence that there IS no prospects of your receiving call tonight-that is, from a man. All the men you know are otherwise engag- ed"
 Helen's face fell perceptibly.
 "Oh. Fred, what is going on?"
 Cant tell you"
 "Stag?"
 Nell" he laughed, putting on his outer coat and taking cap from his pocket, you always ask too many questions Would 1t give you ray of comfort if I told you it was purely stag?"
 Hut Helen swept from the room without condescending toS speak TUT ther on the subject. Fred was surely the most provoking brother. He was so mean about introducing her to the new man." Wendell Lane, who was a friend of Fred's. He was not a society man, so she had no prospects of meeting him at dances. He was eX- tremeIy good looking and so desirable in every way, but Fred had stubborn ly refused all her entreaties to bring him to the house.
 He doesn't care for girls-sensiple fellow-and besides you've turned down hard two or three of my friends whom I have introduced to you"
 q wonder what's on tonight! she thought. going to the library window and flattening her face against the pane. Through the dusky gloom she discerned Freds vanishing rlgure fantly outlined. He wasn't going TO- ward the street, but across the lawn.
 'To the stablep she thought. Ana the cap! He only wears that when he drives or goes on expeditions Per haps he is only going for drive with some other man and said that about no one's calling to tease me.
 She hoped devoutly that some one would call. The time was so pro- pitious. Her father and mother were away on a journey and now Fred out for the evening. She did everything she could think of to pass away the time of that awful interval from seven to eight-the hour of suspense. sne read the evening paper, played the niano abstractedly with her foot on the soft pedal that she might hear the doorbell. Finally she went upstairs to see what her little brother Tom was doing. She found him putting on his coat and hat. ~
 "Why, Tom, where the you going?"
 Out with some fellows. Mother said I might have one night out you know"
 'eYes. Everyone Is having a night out but me- sait his sister Wlth mirthless laugh.
 "WelI. I guess Fred'n be back soon" said Tom. consolingly.
 What makes you think so? she asked, euriously.
 You just look in the den and you'll see" he replied, with a chuckle.
 Helen quickly sought Freds den and gazed in consternation at the pre- parations and supplies for a spread that she encountered.
 The plot thickens" she thought following Tom down stairs. He went out the front door and from the win dow she saw him, too, cross the lawn and go in the direction of the barn.
 Well" she exclaimed to herself. the whole White family seem to be drawn barnward.~ I think I had best follow suit.
 She sat down for a few minutes to plot and ponder. Fred had evidently planned a sub rosa feast, else he'd have asked her to help fin the prepara- tions He probably counted on return Ing after her retiring hour, which was early when there were no callers. It occurred to her that he was going to drive first. Well. she could prove or disprove that suspicion right away.
 She stole out across the lawn, down the graveled walk, around the curve and out to the stable which was at 1 considerable distance from the house. It was entirely deserted. She had a key with her and easily found a lam tern in the carriageroom. Investi- gation showed her that the team of dapples grays were quietly resting, as was Fred's own horse.
 She locked the door and extiuguish- l ed the lantern. When she came out