The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-06-11
Our Daily $bort Story

tn sing--our old songt' he exclaimed. She wondered, with sudden divin- ity, of the Version that Philip had not told him of her. Reginald accompa- nied her to her home and they talked Of other days--the days when she had | sung in the choir and the unhappy days that had followed, when her fa- ther had died so suddenly, and to sup port her invalid father the little Leigh had sung in dance halls and on pleas ure boats. At her mothers death, just before he had come into his possessions, she had been adopted by some wealthy people.
 There have been changes indeed in your life since the day 1 taught you the song you sang today, he observed.
 NO greater changes than came into your life. my lord" she retorted
 A blush reddened his boyish face Even kittens can scratch. but no one can cherish resentment long towards a kitten. By the time they reached the house they were on friendly terms. and in the days that followed he haunted her presence with a persis- tence agonizing to Philip.
 Early in June they were invited to a house party ar Roseiawn, the country nome of the Hathcourts. One after noon, as Reginald Set beside Leigh on the piano bench watching her slender
 Ters that glided so softly over. the
 he was struck by q new express
 her eyes. The dazzling bright
 her face had given way to a
 sat. sweet quiet Hitherto he had
 her as a gay little playmate
 to- him now that she was
 half whispered, "do you
 when we were children
 loNsr?"
 him with startled n his tone and eyes W. T. his thoughts were tur. ger changing color ana together. It was not with this girl! He was drn the conversation irto 8, .. channels when. with some
 That was a narrow escaper he thought. Most girls would have led mo on. I mustn't make love to her if she is tremendously pretty girl"
 While he was refleeting on girls in general and Leigh in particular Mrs Wendell, one of the very few who knew Leigh's history, entered.
 You look as conscious, Reggy, as Leigh did just now. It would be a Eretty romance if your boyish attach ment for Leigh should end in your carrying her to your ancestral halls!"
 Oh. Mrs. Wendell. you know that as lovable as Leigh is. a fellow in my position couldn't overlook the days | she was nothing less than a street, sim | ger. It wouldn't O. in England, you know!" Leigh. returning to the music room, | heard the speech. Her eyes, usually | so bright and tender, flashed with | spirit as she quietly and observed left the room.
 There was grand ball at Roselawn that night and Reginald was one of the first to enter the ball room. Mrs Wendell hurried to him.
 "Oh. Reginald, I've something awful to tell you! Leigh overheard what you said about her having been a street singer She just told me she heard youi"
 He gave a cry of dismay.
 No, not really. Mrs. Wendell! That Is awful! Believe me, I shall maKe amends. I shall ask her to marry me-"
 Just then beautiful vision swept past him. Could this figure so slender anl stately in trailing gown be that of little Leigh? As she passed through the long room at the side of her adopted father Philip TIathcourt id not remove his eyes from her
 Leigh" he murmured, as they stood apart for a moment. may have the first dancer" She turned slightly pale. hearing the intensity of his voice, bat quietly E. him the promise of the dance. Then Reginald came hurrying toward them. Leigh, you were so late in comingI" he cried May I tell you how glor- lously beautiful you are tonightT'
 She glanced at him carelessly with cold. little ghost of a smile T want the first dance" he contin- led. You are too late! I have promised t to Philip" She danced as she sang, with a per- feet abandon that made her oblivious of everything but her delight in the trt. Supple and graceful. she was the very poetry of motion. The music rose Ind died away and swslled in swaying 'ythmic strains that appealed insensi- ply to desire for motion. The first dance ended Reginald has, ened to claim her for the next one. t had seemed to him that his code of . lonor demanded by way of apo1gy { lothing short of a proposal But to- { light her heightened beauty and the { delight he felt when danc- { ng with her made him forget any mo- ( i've but love. His wooing was auda- I ious, passionate and importunate. | Ter refusal, calm, undaunted and un- .lterabIe , Surprised. yet not Daffled, he contin- , ted to plead beseechingly. tt "I don't understand such inconsis- E ency. Reginald" she replied. Today ( 'ou were proclaiming that you could { lot marry a street singerw h Spare ma Leigh" he pleaded. "I lidn't love you then. You are preju- ( Heed now bV reason of that uufOrtii- l |, late and careless remark. Take time, md let your heart soften towards me" f She laughed tantalizinRly. { T don't love you. Reginaldl And ( iever will' You did, or were on the verge of it." 1 le prostested. "WhenT' I This afternoon before you left the