The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-20
BETWEEN JOURNEYS.
BY NELLIE cRAvEY GILMORE.

| Copyright, 1904. by Daily Story Pub Coz
Lieut. Pearson sung himself on
| Broadway car with considerable reiieI.
| The transport had arrived but an nour
ago, thus allowing him scant time ana
no ceremony in which to see the parper
and pay a flying visit to his apartments:
Four years had wrought little material
| change in the scenes about MIN; ne couio
shut his eyes and almost fancy that only
| a day and night had elasped since the
| last time he had taken this ride. Alas,
| how well he remembered it--every little
detail full of sadness inexpressioie 10
them both, but fuller even OF nope
that had long since shrivelled ana died'
Certainly, he thought, it was very
curious irony that was bringing MIN 10
her house now. But whatever the cause
or the lack Of one-that had brought
about her sudden marriage with the 9TH
err man. only one fact remained for pres
emit consideration. Benton was dead. and
with almost his last breath, had en-
trusted to him a message for the woman
he was leaving behind.
Pearson's hand went involuntarily to
his pocket, but as it had done hundreds
of times before in the year that had
passed. The packet was safe and ne
drew a sigh of relief. Another half
out of his keeping forever.
He left the car in a fever of nervous
ness, but the walk of several squares in
| the cool, brisk wind, restored his self
poise. A strange mixture Of emotions
| fought for dominance as he stood again
in front of the old-fashioned door with
| It's old-fashioned brass knocker. But he
presented his card quite calmly to the
servant who let him in. and sat down
| without trepidation in the familiar draw
| ing ROOM to wait.
Mrs. Benton came in almost imme-
diately. II received your message" she
said! holding out her hand, land I
dressed at once so as not to detain you.
/ think 1t rather too bad that you must
hurry right off again."
The lieutenant delinquished her fingers
/ in silence and set down in the chair she
indicated. I'm sorry myself" he re-
turned, presently, but circumstances re-
quire it and circumstances, you know,
are about as infiexible sometimes as the
proverbial Stubborn fact"
After a desultory interchange Of inqui-
ries and "reminiscences, Pearson FUN
bled in his pocket for the little package
he had crossed the ocean to put into her
hands. drawing 1t out with a keener
sense of constraint than he had imagin-
ed possible.
"Doris-Mrs. Benton" he began, un-
certainly. "your-he requested me to give
! you this. L"
| Thank you Jack" she interposed,
quietly, extending her fingers quite pas
I sively.
Pearson regarded her in some sur
prise. He had expected tears, questions,
Understanding bit this inscrutable
calm. Did she, then, love him SO very
much after all as to be compelled to
crush back all feeling behind a mask?
Or-he dismissed that other thought al
! most before 1t was born.
| rs this all?' she asked after a pause.
WAS there any word-any last word
| for me?"
Lieut.. Pearson flush ed to his temples
How was he to tell her that the man s.
| her husband's-dying breath had framed
another woman's name? Benton had
asked him, dispassionately enough, to de-
liver the packet to his wife; that was