The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-19
WHEN LOVE LAUGHED.
BY MAE ERWIN.

BY MAE ERWIN.
 Copyright, 1904. by Daily Story Pub
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 q want you to meet her. Percy. And I want you to be the best man at our wedding next week." said Walker Graham, as he and his college friend stepped into a hanson cab.
 Then you really mean to marry her in spite of your fathers opposition? ?" and Percy Smith carelessly fiecked the ashes of his cigarette as he spoke. "Yes. I'm sorry he does not want me to. but he has never seen her. He refuses to see her,"
 Suppose he cuts you off. old many" q can work"
 "Yes; but doesn't she expect a good deal?"
 She loves me. My father worked for my mother. He made all his money. will make money, too, If have to. Percy Smith said no more, but he mentally thanked the gods that his money was his own. Just then the hanson stopped before smart little family hotel. and the two young men alighted. Soon they were in a dainty little parlor, filled with pretty bits of inexpensive art, and a few pieces of world-famed art work. and a. tall mar ble bust of Adonis, on marble pedes- tai. Graham paced nervously up and down the small polished floor covered with rugs, while Percy sank languidly on an Oriental divan piled with silken cushions. Graham kept his eye on doorway draped with red and gold | brocade portiere. while Percy let his eyes wander over the room, and summed up what pieces of art his wealthy friend had contributed and what pieces evi- dently belonged to the lady herself. He whistled softly every time he made a decision, and beat the Blue Danube" with his fingers on his knee. Soon the portiere raised and a young woman entered. Graham almost ran to meet her, while Percy sat surprised. admir- ing and expectanly waiting.
 The young woman was scarcely five feet high, exquisite1y built, and hard ly 22. with a nose and mouth like the chiseled bust of Adonis. and q mass of golden hair brushed back from her white temples. Her color was like the pink and white of a rose, and her eyes of the shade of the blue sky of Venice. She wore a simple gown of gray, belted in around her small waist. and falling in soft, clinging folds about her slen- der figure. On her breast was red rose. that rivaled the red of her lips.
 She nodded to Percy and then put her little strong white hand in his as
  I'm so glad to see Walkers friend" while his head turned dizzy, and his heart beat light against Ills white waist coat Then she sat down opposite him, and Graham drew a stool to her side, and the three talked and laughed to- gether. She had a way of putting men at their ease and yet never letting them forget her beauty nor the fact that she was a frail, delicate little wo-
 al hue nd uh haA t,,~k been forced to divorce, and that she needed mans protection and friend ship. And Percy felt his heart expand with sympathy for his friend Graham. and a sympathy also also for the little thing who would probably be "cut off" with Graham Then Graham ran down to get some fresh flowers for the vases, and Belle Dumont unburdened herself.
 You see. his parents do not fancy me-because I am divorced" she said. And I love him too we'll to injure his prospects--and yet. what can do?''
 Smith did not know. and neither did she. but he promised to come over that night to talk 1t over with her and had a dim notion of putting Walker up in business for himself, If his fath- CT cut him off," and promised to tell her about it, and see if she thought Walker would like the plan. Then Graham returned. and soon the two left Graham went back a moment to say good bye alone, and as he looked into those clear blue eyes he promised that nothing should come between them. And then the two young men entered the hanson and rode back to town, each one in a spell of admiration and sym pathy, and both silent.
 The next morning as Graham was waiting for his gig to drive over and take Belle for a ride across the boule- ward and through the park, there came 6 telephone call summoning him at once to his banker fathers ofice.
 Graham Pater was alone except for his private secretary. a slim, sallow young man, who had given all the soul he had to his work. Every great man has just such a secretary. and demands just so much. The secretary sells his soul at so much per and holds his job. and learns to -eat at second-class res taurants, and travel in Pullman coachs
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