The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-12

particularly for the second. daughter, who was frank in the favor she gave him. He sat beside her and thought hows lovely her healthy tanned cheeks and hands were, in contrast with the painted geisha faces that had been giving him his quota of smiles of late. And If her chatter was somewhat shal- low and commonplace why what of that? The naturego of woman was finn ited; impossible to contain both clev- erness and constancy. He made his aphorsim with bitter little mental twist. The genuineness of this girl was apparent, and her goodness Somehow the few faint freckles across her little nose seemed eloquent of these qualities.
 Dorsey surreptitously reached out and wound a floating ribbon end of her gowns decoration about his fin ger and the contact was indescribab bly soothing.
 Then some one played and they danced, and presently he had forgot ten everything save that she was young and woman. and that he was young and man. So paradise is ever peopled, whether in its verity or it's mirage. And he kept on forgetting. The picture of Evelyn fell unnoticed from its place, and his presence at the new girls home was a daily one. At his third call he kissed her pretty lips whose red went no deeper than the surface, and then he spok as a gen. tleman and officer should.
 Clearly case of love at first sight" the> delighted mother declared and straightway was the engagement announcd: publicity being strongly a bond in such affairs. Pere and mere were wise in much sordid knowledge.
 Dorsey assented. It was the sim piest was of accounting for some things, but when the next mail came in, revelation was upon him. Evelyn, delayed letter was now in his ham and as he read its phrases expressing more of tenderness than its predeces- sors. he knew that inextricably are mans senses, his brain and his soul entangled, and that in all the worI6 there was but one woman who could satisfy the triple exaction. Knew that his heart now was reached eagerly Tor the bond that would link them. and he felt no longer question of ner thought for him; and the knowI edge made his newly forged chains deeply galling.
 He was wondering how it had all come about. Causes Q seemed vary vague and remote, but the effect was cruelty distinct. He looked down the length of his years and saw the bet ter part of himself walking always alone. and his fancy further tortured him with a vision of her with free hands.
 He got up and found her photo graph slipped down behind the ehif- toner; he carefulIy wiped away tn, dust and after looking long upon 1t he kissed 1t and placed 1t deep down In his trunk along with & fair curl cut rom the head of the little sister who had died young.
 lie sat thinking until the hon when he was due at his fiancee. Then ne clipped the announcement of hi, engagement from a paper and with rare tact for man he wrote thus to enclose 1t: '"
 Dear friend of mine-Either vou nave not written or your letters have been lost for I have not heard froro you for two malls. but I am none inc iess confident of your friendship and interest, and shall expect your con Sratulations very soon.
 May the roses bloom for you nl. ways. Sincerely,
 ,,, Phillip"
 His only easing thought was. that In Evelyn's pain humiliation Hvo,nd have no part