The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-07-02
WHEN MAIslB CANE HOME.
BY Helena Smith.
wright, 1904, by Daily Story Ppo'

w.nSrrer, Mystery envelopes one who
has travelled far, in the minds OF the
stay-at- homes. Then. too there 10 the
curiosity to see what changes ,,Ie Vi
Maisie Morton had been away from
Arlington for fifteen years. In tnat
time but the most meager woro "a
her whereabout had come. 1t was
vaguely understood that she was study
ing art, abroad. while others nad II
that she was on the stage. and Famous.
At Is Maisie Morton had given little
evidence of good looks or exceptionaI
cleverness. Her lea6pg cnaracteris.io
der "oddness" She had
always been the wall flower of the
rural gatherings. In naughty solitude
she would sit and watch the other girls
have their little triumphs. but no eye
was directed her way until an incident
turned the attention of Tom Belden to
her It surprised everybody when he
began to take her to places, and in
those days Maisie had seemed to bloom
figure was excellent. and she wore her
clothes well. Then Tom, who was the
Beau Brummel OF the little town, with
a reputation for his conquets. did .ex-
actly is it was predicted he would
turned his attention to the first pretty
girl who came along She happened
to be Laura Allyn. a new girl who came
to live in Arlington pretty creature
Of the Dresden shepardess type. soon
after Tom married Laura, and Maieie
Morton went away.
When Maisie's arrival was heralded.
speculation ran wild. Old Bill Simp-
kins, who ran. the stage. said she mad
married a Turin nobility, and was
| logged out like a queen. Moreover
she was, remarkably hapdsome-no
| wonder the town took a holiday to talk
over the miracle OF Maisie Morton COM
| ing home a, raving beauty! 1t was
said since her arrival she had not been
outside her sisters house. so those who
watched for her to go by during that
| day. in vain, turned out en- masse the
next day to church. A Morton never
stayed away from church, so 1t was
an expectant congregation that await
| eyes watched the Morton pew, and at
every entrance, heads twisted around
curiousiy. i, -..>tS -,asa
The oratorioe had just started when
a faint rustic was heard and a distinct
Whit of yioletss fioated over the tiny
church. There was whispering as
| of the wind in the trees--then even the
minister started at the gorgeous wo.
man with Jane Morton. 1t was indeed
Maisie but Maisie with the poise OF a
duchess and the beauty of a goddess.
she was brilliant-sparkling. Her
gown was a Partisan triumph.
From his pew across the church Tom
| Belden could not take his eyes OF the
looked from the perfect pink and white
| complexion of the radiant Maisie, which
| CLEANED through a dazzling Partisan
| veil. with its becoming dots of black,
was seolding in a whisper the two tow
| headed youngsters wriggling around
| on the hot plush cushions.
At the conclusion of the morning ser
vice everyone crowded around the
Morton sisters, welcoming her home,
| and at the same time sizing" her UP.
| Maisie had a good memory and gra-
| cious manner. She was particularly
/ sweet to those whom she remembered
| had been the ones to slight her in the
| old days She took pains to assure
| faded bells that they hadn't changed
| bit! She made a great ado over
Laura Belden and patted the tow
| heads in a patronizing manner
From that time on Maisie was the all
absorbing topic of conversation. Her
| clothes-such wonderful creations as
had never been seen. before in the
| town-her wonderful knowledge of the
/ things of which they had only read
falso her wonderful preservation, FOL
the country people are relentless In
| their exact knowledge of ages.
The next day, late in the afternoon
Maisie was strolling slowly down the
| quiet village street, fluffy pink para
| sol casting a soft glow over the pink
| face a cream lace hat browning the
glorious hair. Her gown was soft ano
clinging, and billow of foamy
| fiounces.
And then she had looked up to meet
the eyes of Tom Belden fastened upor
her. Tom, in the years that hat
passed. had also grown handsomel
and. to an extent. had prospered. He
| extended his hand and she laid hei
daintily gloved one in 1t.
TT is good to see you again, Maisi'
Morton-it is Morton, is it not?" The
question was eagerly asked:
STILL" she laughed. Life is too
amusing-in Paris-to assume duties
He was studying her keenly.
You must find it very amusing" HI
said. Arlington is the same. Dom
you find it so?"
Yes. also find Arlington-amus
ing" He frowned at the condescensioI
in her tone.
Both were silent for a moment. Thel
the woman began to talk vivaciously
the man listening and looking at he
walked out past the village and in
stinctively turned into the old. favorit
path in the wood. He found her rare
ly sympathetic and unconsciously be
trayed the failure his marriage ha'
proven. Laura had developed into
dowdy and kept the house and children
in an untidy condition, spending mos
of her time with paper-covered litera
ture.
After his encounter with Maisie Ton
Belden seemed to walk in an enchant
ed world. His frequent calls at tn
Morton house soon began to cause talk
and II was not long before eyeryon
in town knew that Tom Belden wa
infatuated with the woman he ha'
once gifted" Nor did Laura get nue.
sympathy, for 1t was we'll known hov
she had once deliberately set her ca
for Belden, knowing he was engage
to another girl.
The climax had come on a certain
afternoon when they met in the woods
Maisie wore a rose-tinted gown an
a wide-brimmed hat that threw allur
ing shadows across her face.
-''Maisie!" exclaimed Belden, Il can
| not let you go again. Oh, what a foe
I was. Maisie-you cared for me the
, Il think you still care, though 20
your contempt and indifference. bu
| dear. I've suffered enough. Reall
there may be. that happiness we hav
both missed, yet. l will go with yo
wherever you shall name. 1 can pre-
vide for-them-and have enough fo
| you, dear"
She stood quite still and looked a
him. Then he poured out such lov
as 1t is rarely given woman to nste
to. For once Tom Baden. dilettante
love, laid his heart at a woman's fee
And the woman laughed.
Without a word Maisie Morton TURF
ed and walked away. Nor did he ca
to her or follow. When she glance
J back he was sitting on a fallen tire
his face buried in his hands.
That evening Maisie sat on the tin
porch with her face buried in her sill
ter's lap. Jane stroked her hair softl
are doingT she asked, in a whispe
n n