The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-28
THE FINESSE OF FRANCES
BY BELLE MANIATEs.


 Copyright. 1904, by Daily Story Pub fishing Col Frances. I had an interview with your father this morning" T know it, Jack" replied the girl | ruefully. T had one myself-directly after yours
 "Then suppose you know in effect what he said to me---that he had no objections to me personally, but he didn't want me--in fact, wouldn't have me-for a son-in-law. and forbade me the house, saying he had other plans for you"
 'Oh. Jack. What do you suppose his other plans are? He says I shall mar " that tiresome. fair, fat, forty and wealthy Mir. Wilton! It seems he has announced his intentions to papa" '"rhe deuce he hasw growled Jack We'll. what did you sayr' 'Of course, I said I wouldn't give you up. You ought to have heard papa then! He raved and tore around, and then when his tempest was over, he told me sternly and unalterably that if U married you 1t would be without his consent and that he'd never give us a cent of his money"
 ..As if we wanted itv' cried Jack. hotiy.
 "Oh. but we do." remonstrated Fran
 
 ces. Not all of 1t, but enough, at least. to furnish that little house you are building, and we should have lit- tie start from him in the way of bank account; but until we win papa over, Jack. we'll have to meet sub rosa"
 wen never win him over, dear, but 1t never rains but it pours. have some bad news for you and me-"
 "Oh, Jack. You haven't lost your po- sitionr'
 No, indeed; I've been promoted, but the new place demands my taking a three months trip out west. I start tonight
 Jack, reallyw
 She was silent for moment. and watching her closely, Jack feared he detected a look of grief in her gray eyes She received the news more philosophically than he liked. and bade him farewell almost cheerfully. promis- ing to write to him frequently.
 Med Banks will see to the building of the house while I am away. It ought to be finished by the time I am home. And then--Frances?"
 But Frances thoughts seemed far away. and she evinced little interest in the building of the house. Jack started on his western trip de- jected and disheartened. He couldn't help thinking that Frances was secret ly rejoiced at his departure. "She probably didn't like the idea of meeting me clandestinely," he reflected, and am afraid she dislikes the pros pect of living as obscurely as we'll have to. She has been used to so dif- ferent a life"
 Business prospered with Jack, and he received numerous letter from Frances. They were not satisfactory from a lovers standpoint. and though they covered much space. there was really nothing in them He kept re- minding himself that Frances had oft en said she was a failure as a corre- spondent and could not be demonstfa- tive on paper.
 But this consolation was disturbed presently by letters from other friends at home that told him Frances was receiving marked attention from Wal ter Wilton. He refused to let his faith in his sweetheart be shaken. and told himself that she had his attentions forced upon her by her father. New ertheiess, he asked her in his next let ter if the rumors were true. Her reply was consoling and satisfactory. "Mr. Wilton has called often and has taken me to the theater occasion ally. but he goes away tonight. and will be gone a couple of months Won't be back until after your return" | Jacks composure was again shaken in few weeks by hearing from many l friends. including Banks, that Frances and Wilton were engaged. Then some one sent him a marked copy of a so- ciety paper announcing the engage ment. No names were mentioned in the iarticle. but they were unmistakably the ones referred to. At last Jacks business was finished and he took the train eastward with a feeling of relief and longing for home. En route he met an acquaintance from I his home city.
 Suppose you have heard of Miss Worden's engagement?" was asked. gro whom?" snapped Jack. "To wilton."