The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-09

as she laid aside huge. poppy- wreathed hat, and sat down in the in- dicated chair. T have been in the sum-" she replied. but I am so used to that that 1t doesn't count for any thing"
 Then you must let me guess Per- haps. like my--like a girl I know, you have a deliciuos secret you are simply aching to share with some one. Am I rieht?"
 Emily flushed furiousiy ana her eyes fell. You've guessed" Ahe said.
 Miss Conrad rose impulsively. and dwrawing her chair close up beside that of the othtr girl. sat down and laid one of her cool. slim hands over Emily's small brown cnes. Now tell me-" she said s,atiy
 Don't you know-can't you guess without my telling your"
 The other shook her head slowly. T must be very obtus.." she confessed
 Emily was silent for seeor.d When she looked up. the timidity had van ished from her eyes. and It's place was a look of strange illumination. Its Dick. Dick-you know" she breathed. MT. Westchester."
 Miss Conrad stared at her dazediy, dumbly. for a cecond. "Dick-Mr Westchester" she r.1-ated. stonily. The younger girl had turned away her head and nodded now without look ing up
 'Ts -hc--bas he-ces >: asked you to marry him. dearT Miss Conrad started at the sound of her own voice | Oh. no-not yet. But he loves me; he's told me so many. many times; and. of course. we'll marry some day though not just yet. perhaps"
 And you-you love him very much?'
 "Oh. yes: a thousand times yes. It would kill me to lose him now. That's how I feel. Letitia. You know"
 Miss Conrad regarded her abstract edly for few sec. as. Yes. know" she answered. duly
 In little while Emily rose and started tow :rd the door. Its almost dinner time." she explained. T heard the first bell. so I must go down. Do you want me to come back again and talk to you? There was SO much we had to say. and didn't rAlf finish" She paused. with a tentative hand on the doorknob.
 Miss Conrad forced a smile as she encountered the girls eager. radiant eyes. Yes" ohe answered. slowly al- most mechanically. Be sure to come back again. and tell me-everything :" | Just receiVed your message, sweet heart else"
 Miss Conrad lifted a deprecative Don't" she said. IT can't bear 1t, Dick"
 | Westchester stared at her in bewil- derment. I don't understand" he said, sinking into a chair.
 T shall explain In just a moment if after thinking a little. you decide that you require an explanation" Ntal l. have you-surely. you must be dream ing!"
 Il Miss Conrad remained silent a long time When she rtnaliy compelled her eyes to meet the gaze fixed upon her they bore strained. pain -darkened look with deep circles below to accent uate the pallor of her face. Emily" she said. in low voice. Have you orgotten-Emily?" Il Westchester stared at her oddly, un- comprehendfngly, for an instant then suddenly broke Into frankly amused. almost boyish laugh "Emily-Great Scott! Why. she's just a half-silly lit- tie kid. that's all"
 Nevertheless. she loves you. And and she-believes in you. Nonsense"
 Its true enough. And. Dick haven't you told her that you love her?'
 Westchester smiled. Its quite like ly. tell all the girls that; you know 1t yourself You know. too. that. of course. 1t doesn't amount to any thing"
 Not to you-not to the girls in our world. perhaps. but to Emily" The other paled. You don't really think" he began. a little unsteadily. T do-just that And. Dick" Miss Conrad drew a deep breath and looked away as she spoke. There's only one thing left for you to do."
 And that is?"
 You must marry her."
 Marry her-Emily7'
 Yes"
 But, Letitia. think! We are to be married in less than two months. Surely you can't mean what you arc saying"
 "I do mean 1t. finally"
 Westchester gazed at her stupidly. He recognized the tone as final.
 Emily is jsut an infant-a mere ba- by She will get over her fancied mo- ton of love as easily as she fell in with it, Letitia. Do you care so little for me that you are willing to let the silly infatuation of a child wreck our life's happiness?'
 Miss Conrad looked at him squarely | for second, and a queer light flashed up In her eyes. T care far too much for us both." she said, ito walk into what you call our Iifes happiness over a child's broken heart"