The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-01
LIKE A NAN.
BY s. D. GARDNER.

BY s.. ID. GARDINER
(Copyright, 1903, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
She was watching the incomers. The
train was becoming crowded. She hdG
stopped off from a long journey to visit
q friend and was compelled to take the
day coach for a few hours. Suddenly
voice at her side said:
Lady, may 1 occupy this seat?'
Willing to be obliging she answered,
s'Yes, sir"
Arranging her belongings more COM
vactly she turned to the window.
The train was speeding along again
when she began to feel that strange
psychic sense as of something out of the
ordinary occurring. Looking around shc
met the eyes of the man beside her, and
instantly recognized him. He was gazing
las IL fascinated.
us it possible-this isl" he hesitatcd.
Leonard is my name,' she said, with
face afiaine.
Eyes. excuse me. I was sure it was
you, yet what a strange chance this drift
ing together, even for brief moment
Is your--is Mr.. Lennard with you?"
'.Ife is not" she replied, in low tones,
ana then gazing straight ahead, as she
remembered her parting with this man
ten years before.
She felt angry with herself that time
had not conquered the old love which
was making hsr .heartbeats Quicked aft
ter So Many yearB. and how cruel had
been Ais treatment at that time. HIS
voice Aroused her.
Sara, may 1 ask if life has been good
to you?'
MY husband and 1 have been content-
ed. and I hold different views Of happi-
ness from what l once did. But why
should this interest your"
Forgive me. I thought you did me
the justice to believe that the sacrifice
was something terrible on my part, and
have always been anxious to know If
you
There, 1 cannot hear such talk from
you. 1t is unjust to your WIFE" she IN
terrupted.
He did not notice that she failed to En-
clude her husband, but looked at her
wonderingly as she said:
MY wife! Then you do not know that
Eva died two years ago in April?''
What Your wife-no, am just back
from California; knew you were living
abroad-that was the last / heard, then
came my marriage"
Eyes, and my doom. I-Sara. 1 wish
we had not met find you fairer than
ever. while 1 am miserable-forgive me
and good-by. l have business at this
station"
He arose, extending his hand. Con-
fusedly. she gave him hers as she said:
''Good-by-I-oall at mothers, If you
are in New York this summer 1 shall
be there
Thanks, l will remember"
AS Ashley stepped from the train his
mind was in tumult. What did the
woman mean by asking him to call upon
her; then, he thought of her beauty, the
golden glimmer that fingered in her hair
this had seemed Intensified by her dark
dress; yes, he believed she wore black
He was an idiot about dress, but had al
ways associated her with blue-iImy
blue and white things-such as she had
worn in the happy days long before.
Ashley had been engaged to his cousin,
Eva Wood, when quite young. The gil
was devoted to him. but time brought to
the knowledge of the young man that ne
did not love her as he should the wo.
man he would call wife. Her health De-
gan to fail and the doctors said to cross
her would bring serious results; so, when
all at home were humoring her every
within Ashley had not the heart to break
the engagement as he had intended do
ing.
At this time he went to New York On
business. While there ne met Sara Les
ter. With them it was the rare happen
ing of love at first sight. He prolonged