The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-11
GREATER PITY HATH NO
 MAN.
pY EDGAR MELTON COOLEY.

bY EUdAh WE1ION CUOLEx. Copyright. 1904. by Daily Story Pub. Col Cassie Brewster leaned forward and piucked a violet from the grass. She gaxed at it a moment, twirling the slen- der stem between her thumb and finger. Suddenly she turned Smiling eyes to those of the man beside her.
 Tt seems like have always loved yo-I. Phil she said.
 Her eyes dropped again to the violet which was trembling in her fingers. and she pulled the sunbonnet down over her face to hide her blushes.
 They were at the big rock at the rivers brink The sunlight was falling to sleep on the quiet water.
 Manning took a plain, gold ring from his pocket.
 And you wiIi-r' he began.
 She held out her hand, and he placed tn, ring upon her finger.
 Look, Phil the woman said. happi- iy. ''see the diamonds in the ripples out there on the rocks"
 The morning papers were full of it.. Lloyd Brewster. cashier of the Citizens Bank, had disappeared. His accounts showed a shortage of $10,000. In the privacy of her chamber, Cassie Brewster lay on a couch, dry-eyed with horror. In room downstairs her father, Rev. David Brewster strict, stern Scotch Presbyterian that he was. walk ed the floor, his hands clasped behind his back. his gray oeks trembling with his agitation. his lips close pressed, a strange glimmer in his eyes.
 Not my son." he kept repeating. "No longer a son of mine"
 A knock sounded suddenly. For a mo- ment the man of God hesitated; then he threw open the door.
 Philip Manning stood upon the thresh- old. His face was as pale as the dead's. The minister's face softened s trifle, and he held out his hand.
 Ignoring the others proffered hand, and not waiting for an invitation. Man. ming entered the room and glanced quick ly around the apartment.
 T must see Miss Cassie at once," he said, hoarsely; T would see her in your presence"
 The minister bowed. and with slow and weary steps walked to the foot of the stairs. Manning as one in dream, awaited her coming
 When she entered the room, he saw the deep sadness in her eyes, and a great pity illumined his face. His heart cried out to take her in his arms, but his great love for her conquered, and he bowed his head.
 T have come,' he said, presently, "to say I TellnqulSn you from the promise to become my wife,
 Her eyes dropped and her face flushed crimson.
 .'Do you mean. sir" her father stern- iy demanded. do you mean you consid- CT her unworthy of you because of my son-her brothers sin?"
 T mean" Manning replied, calmly, 'that it is I who am unworthy of her love. It is l who have sinned. Lloyd is 70 guilty"
 Your" Father and daughter spoke as one.
 Tt is I who used the money" Manning replied. Lloyd found 1t out when the bank examiner came. He was responsi- ble by reason of being cashier; but I, as his assistant, had access to the funds The fearful thought of disgrace must have impelled him to run away. Had he remained he could easily have establish ed his absolute innocence. So 1 came here to tell you. am not willing an in- noeent man shall suffer for my crime, but 1 desired that you hear the truth from my own lips" He spoke rapidly. The precipitation stood in drops upon his forehead.
 The minister rceoiled from him, but the girls eyes sought his pleadingly. In their depths he read a question, and he ans wered it.
 ''It is the truth have spoken" he said "From here I shall go to police head quarters and make a public statement which will clear the good name of Brew ster."
 Sir" said the minister. "when you en- tered here you exhibited commendable courtesy. You refused to allow me to shake the hand of a common thief. For that thank you. My daughter. you will return Mir. Mannings ring. and allow him to depart"
 It was the command of a fatler who had always been obeyed. The simple gold ring was tremblingly slipped off a slen- der finger and extended toward Man. ming by a girl who stood with bowed