The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-30
Our Daily $bcrt Story

folks" she answered, "an this gentle man says they've gone."
 ''Yes. e long time ago. harshly. Then, 'Is he with your
 No; he's been dead two years. ! started soon's could earn money to pay the doctor. an for the funeral an a ticket home" then he caught one of her hands say agely in his, and held It up so he could examine the swollen, discolored knuckles and horny fingers.
 Damn him" he said, fervently un- der his breath. Did he make you do thfsT' Then, without waiting for an answer, and as though conscious of the people around, Here. come round to the end of the depot, Jenny. I want to talk a Iittle."
 He turned and strode to where he had left the carriage, forgetful ot his em- ployers presence. The woman follow ed slowly. Mir. Healy hesitated a mo- ment, then went briskly to the corner
 Calvin" he said. have a number of telegrams to send off and may be detained a half hour or so. Tn the meantime you would better take this lady to her destination. She does not look very strong. Then come back for me-"
 Calvin scarcely appeared to hear him.
 Jenny" he said, and now the anger in his voice was mingled with a yearn- ing tenderness that brought a sudden moistness to the woman's eyes, you must tell me a few things. Why didn't you write. or get somebody to do 1t for you. It almost killed your pa an ma :"
 IT did try to, Calvin, but he would not let me, an beat" She stopped suddenly. her lips closing quickly, as though to catch and hold back the es- caping words.
 Beat you." bitterly. GO on."
 T didn't mean to tell that, Calvin, she said, gently. 'I was thinkin' of ma an pa. He was my husband. an he's dead. We won't speak about him."
 Yes savagely, I've will speak about him. just this once, then forget him always. You were a plump girl when you went away from here, an the handsomest in all the country round an now!" Then abruptly. "A man who works hard out of doors all the time don't get hands rougher than yours. Twas field workT
 She remained silent.
 Twas field work?" he repeated, re- lentiessly, "an' the hardest kind. An beat you, an took every cent you, made for whiskey, an other things. He was the beginnin' of that kind of man when here. only he wore good clothes an girls couldn't see it. An he would not let you write home, an beat you for tryin' tor" He looked at her in- akiringly, his face lowering and bale- full.
 But the woman still remained silent, only now her head had sunk lower and the sunbonnet was drawn over her face. Calvins hand reached forward grimly to lift 1t before he noticed that she was crying. Then all his anger and bitter ness dropped away like the mask that 1t was. leaving his strong features working curiously.
 Jenny, Jenny. girl" he said huskily, T was tryin' to be worse than him. We won't never speak of it any more We'll just talk of when We were chill dren, an played on the mountain side together. Now get in the carriage"
 She drew back.
 T ain't nowhere to go, Calvin" she answered, simply. Ma an pa have gone. I must look for work first. an if I cant find it here I'll have to try other places. Only can't ever go back again, not over the mountains" and she shuddered.
 Il shall take you straight to the preachers" Calvin said, firmly. "You promised to marry me once, an didn't Now the times come for you to keep your word"
 "Oh, I can't, I can't" she began. But he lifted her quietly into the carriage.
 You've got to-" he declared. You promised you loved me once, an Il believe you have all the time It was tfat-that mans tongue" He hesitat- ed. then leaned forward and kissed her. It was the first time. God bless you Jenny" he added, gravely. q shall try to make you happy" Then he closed the door and mounted the drivers box and drove away straight toward the preachers