The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-07

She deliberately put Bobby's letter into Ned's envelope. and Ned's into Bobby's. Each, she thought, would, after proper qualms, read the other mans letter, return 1t to her with the assurance that he had not read 1t, and take fresh heart from her frankly Iunsentimental attitude to his rival. Thus would she gain time. and peace. She sealed, stamped and mailed the letters with relief, and little mis- chievous glee in her heart.
 But she reckoned without her hosts. Up to certain point her calculations were correct, however, each man re- ceived the letter belonging to the oth- er resolved virtuously not to read 1t, and succumbed in the end, jubilant that the lady of his desire had evil dently no love whatever for rival: each put the letter in his pocket inc tending to return 1t, not to its proper owner, but to Peggy herself. For on the spot, each decided to run up Fri day and surprise Peggy. Each decid- ed to declare his love. and each. thanks to the letter in his pocket, was sure the other had no chance with her. and was confident of winning. They | received these letters Wednesday. About tho same time Mrs Benton wrote a note to John Burton, one hun dred miles north in Clayton.
 Dear Jock:-I promised to write you when thought 1t would do you any good to come. I think this Is the time. When a girl finds 1t hard to choose between two men. 1t Is ten to one she wants a third man. and doesn't know it. You are the third man. and the right one. Yesterday Peggy grew very angry when mentioned Nell Forest. Hadn't you better explain Do 1t by force if necessary: make her listen She deserves punishment for her treatment of you. And I am so tired of having Ned and Bobby about! Sincere yours.
 Eleanor Benton"
 Friday came and found Peggy all unconscious of three approaching surprises. Jack Burton was speeding along on a south bound train: Bob west. were complacently approaching her, and-each other For as fate and poor railway connections would have it, Ned had to pass Bentonville by sixteen miles, and change cars at Flat Junction, where Bobby also changed cars for the city of his lady-love. The trains of both men were late; they missed connections. and met. aston ished, but friendly. on the platform. It was raining in floods, and there would not be another train till morn ing.
 They took a room together at the little place that called itself a hotel. and decided to make the best of 1t. Thus it befell that gradually and cau- tiously they compared notes. It all began by Bobby magnanimously re- turning Neds letter. with the assur- ance that he had not read it. by Ned's astonished reicprocation of the com pliment, and the perusal by each of his own letter, which he saw. with dis gusted amazement. was almost the duplicate of his rivals. Then there were explanations, and from being angry at each other. they became angry at Peggy. for the whole story came out-how each had been to see her every two weeks. and how each had hoped to get her now that she had broken with Burton.
 Finally they went to bed. having agreed to give her a thorough sur prise. Together they would visit her declare their love almost in unison and make her choose between them each was to abide by her decision. and | to bear the victor no ill-will. They went by the back road to the old or ! chard. She might be there. and they | could take her entirely unaware. She was there-and unaware of them with | a vengeance.
 As they came to a sudden turn ir | the winding path, they stopped and stared. Beneath an old apple tree. hel l sweet face upturned, was Peggy-ir the arms of John Burton. Her pret. ty laugh rippled out.
 | Its all right about Nell. dear. Oi course you couldn't refuse when she asked you to take her. She's SC bold! And the man didn't come or that business? Twas so silly. Tn sorry. Jack" Here Jack asked low question. accompanied by a kiss
 Those silly boys? Of course not never loved anyone but you"
 Jack kissed her again? Not fol one little moment" she continued Ned and Bobby felt that she spoke the truth. They turned unseen. ant went as they came.
 T think we cah catch that noor train" Ned observed dryly. But Bob
 by asked solmenly
 Med, will you please kick mel? Then the two men laughed.