The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-12

l most overwhelmed me with her effusiye thanks for what had done for her daughter, which was a mere nothing, sir, ! and all in the way of my duty as an off,
 cer. not to add as man. sir.
 The days passed on and I met Blanche frequently, going with her to theatres and
 dances and such like and all the while getting deeper and deeper in love-calf
 love, mind you, for I'd never loved before c -and l felt just like a rat in a feather mattress that can't tell where he's at till he's come out of 1t, sir
 ''One night when I passed the house and saw Ned Remich in the sitting room beside Blanche grew nearly frantic with jealousy. had not counted on a rival and the appearance of Ned on the street after that always acted on me like A red rag on goose, sir. Don't look as if I'd made slip; use the word adyiseGly sir. .- Med, can say now, was a good look ing fellow with black curly hair cut so that 1t seemed as if he had a cap on when his hat was off, if you came up behind him. The next time you're back of an orchestra see If you can't pick out some fellow that looks like that, sir. At that time would have told you Ned Remich | looked like a peach orchard out of cuI- rAse@eaShs b0t sAatdhaiy ScC tulnkS Cte8Ter now. Ned was really a good looking fei- low. and a good hearted one, too as I've found out many times since then. Between Ned and me the rivalry for Blanche Strings heart waged fast and furious. We hardly spoke to each other, although we had been passing acquaint- ances before. Blanche never invited us both to the house the same evening and so a direct clash was avoided
 Every time called the Widow Stirling sat there as calm and collected as you please with pleasant nod for me always and an occasional word or two in the conversation. She never left us alone in
 the room and gave me no chance to speak
 to Blanche on the subject of which my
 head and heart were full. I paid both
 the ladies all sorts of pretty con
 p,iments l could think of. but that wls about the limit. Several times when Blanche and were out together at social affairs without the chaperonage of her mother had started to ask her for her hand, but she had always stopped me one way or another before l could make
 direct avowal of my love. Usually she pretended petulancy, and. if that appear
 ed about to fail, tears. Against the latter
 I was powerless. She explained the tears
 by nervousness and hysteria, to which she
 was liable.
 Ned Remich and I used to glare at each other as you've seen bulldogs do across tho street when some ones hold ing them from each other. It was
 Blanche Sstirling that held us back while at the same time she unknowingly melted us to commit a serious breach of the peace.
 "When my passion had about reached it's height found another. chance to dis
 tinguish myself in the eyes of the Stirling
 household. Passing the house late at
 night, was astounded to see & man try
 ing to fit a key at the front door. I
 hadn't heard from Blanche for two days. but knew she Was at home. The man acted as bold as might be and I whisp-
 cred to myself: There's a pretty case of
 sneak thieving that don't go on my beat?'
 with that up and grabbed him. He
 started to yell. but I put my hand over
 his mouth. wasn't going to let him arouse the Stiriings at that hour of the
 night. The man fought and struggled.
 but when he tried to enter into eXplana- tions I was feeling that savage hit him
 with my club until at least he had to come along quietly. At the station
 booked him as drunk and what with the clubbing I'd gwen him he acted it. too.
 q didn't want to be hard on the poor devil after the way I'd beaten him and judged that he'd think himself lucky to
 be let off with a charge of drunkenness after what he'd been attempting to dc.
 ''The next morning when I went down to the station there was a good sixeo
 drama waiting for me. The central fig- ures were the Widow Stirling and her pretty daughter Blanche. As I entered their backs were toward me and my pris- oner was just being led out of the cell.
 Blanche's arms were around his neck in an instant and she was saying some thing I didn't understand. I was thun- derstruck. At last they broke away and she looking toward me, gave sudden start.
 Your father, Miss?''' asked.
 "No, my husbandn was the reply.
 You could have knocked me down with a chunk of fog I was that weak The floor seemed to open under me and I rubbed my eyes to see if couldn't wake up. It was no go. I coughed vio- lently and went into a side room to get a drink c" water to clear my throat.
 ''When I came back the Stirlings were gone and I was called on for explana- tions, which I gave. The captain or the night watch laughed heartily and long until the tears came to his eyes. looked on but saw nothing to laugh about
 How got out of it don't know, but was the recipient of many a rude Jest for a week or so until l threatened to kill on sight anyone that said biahche Stirling in my presence,
 If seems that her husband had arrived the day before and was coming in late that night when mistoOk him for burglar. Ned Remich was almost as bad off as I was, but the matter soon grew o,,,eter as the StirlingS left town before