The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-08
SPECIAL CORRESPON .
 DENCE.
BY HATTIE PRESTON RIDER.

NCopyrieht. 1904. Daily Story Pub. Co.) Lima leaned back in her chair and surveyed the clearly written sheet in her hand with dimpled amusement.
 You'll answer 1t, of course" ques- tfoned Mabel, half enviousIy.
 Indeed I shall." Lima responded. |. ssWhat's more, since he is kind enough to presume I have a husband, I shall tell him that worthy gentleman never dictates my correspondence. It Is long way the most interesting tribute, Nab. that my genius has ever received" There's always a certain risk In friendly correspondence with strang- er," ventured Mabel, oracularly.
 Lina's eyes danced.
 No doubt 1t will wreck my domestic peace,' she agreed. Then she shook her head. This Dwight Hillman Is a gentleman, Nab I like him, on paper. 1t least. You people who see me eat ing steak and potatoes every day never realize how delicious it Is to be re- rarded, once in awhile. as a creature all intellect and imagination" She stood up and stretched out her strong young arms, with a wholesome. ringing laugh.
 Suppose his interest should become too personal?" Mabel suggested.
 .sIt couldn't" Lima declared. There's
 
 '.Even an actual husband isn't always a safeguard" insisted the pessimist; but Lima laughed again.
 Don't croak, cara mia. It's only harmless lark. anyway"
 So she penned her reply to the un- known admirer of her literary handi- craft, her eyes sparkling over her naive allusion to the imaginary hus- band. and her corroborative full sigma rrf as she was in character sketching. she did not realize how much of her own varm. shy mirth-loving personality went into that letter.
 fIillman's second cafhe with amazing promptness, so manly and respectful, with its undercurrent of ardent inter- est. that Lima had two minds to put 1t in her private drawer. instead of filing 1t primly with her business correspond ence. Remembering Mabers dismal prophecies, she sternly denied the lean- ina. But she answered 1t, as the writ CT had earnestly begged she should.
 That was the beginning Before many weeks Lima found herself watch ing for the white messengers with a feverish expectancy even the crisp bus iness missives of the publishers had never excited within her
 Ifillman had told her that he was 37. and an architect by profession. For herself, she avoided anything relating to her private affairs. partly from real shyness, partly in spirit of mischief. remembering his former allusion to her supposed marriage. They wrote mainly of current literary matters. her own methods, plots or proposed work. Often, too, she found his frank criti- cisms invaluable.
 The correspondence ran on for six months with blissful smoothness. Then A change crept into Hillman's letters They grew constrained brief. Lima in doubt and misery, answered as briefly A long, nerve-racking silence followed broken at last by curt note from Hill mani
 T have not written. because I could not without betraying what I should have kept. God knows I have fought it hard enough, but through this cor respondence have grown to love you with all my strength. Forgive my con- fession, and forget it in the happiness of your full life. I am going away.
 ID. IT.
 The words blurred before Lina'i Z stricken eyes. One fact stood out tc her in naked accusation: she had vir' fually told a falsehood, for the frst time in her life. And this was hei reckoning.
 Her fingers were like ice as she slip ped the letter into its envelope. anC laid it away. A white line grew around her lips. at sight of it's fellows with their clear. bold superscription lying in the little drawer: forsLina haC long since ceased to file them with thu business correspondence. A sob rose 1T her throat but she choked it back. Tn, truth of her heart had grown very ap parent to her in that half hour.
 Dull days followed. wherein he, work dragged. She grew thin and pal, despite her whipped-up interest in tn, healthful pursuits that had hitherto been delight and inspiration. N one but Mabel Rogers guessed the SC cret; and, at the end of a miserable half year. Lina's people sent her. N iispirited ghost of herself. to recuper ate at the summer home of a friend.
 There, Lima protested in vain tha rest and quiet were all she needed
 T don't want to be entertained" sh, begged; but the lady turned dea ear.
 "You're a living demonstration O my theory that thinking is injurious. she declared. fippantly. Now. tn, corrective principle Is stirring up. ex citement. pleasure" So she issued in vitations for lawn party.
 There's a friend of Freds coming to whom you should be particularly nice" said Mrs. Mayfield. teaslngIy, or the evening in question. He doesn't dream know it. but hA nurloined a