The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-01
Our Daily Short Story

his stay, thus dallying with temptation.
She knowing naught of his engagement
was not on ner guard and a slight incl
cent happened that suddenly brought
words tripping through his lips that for
days he had endeavored to suppress.
He held her in his arms. the one wo-
man In the world he could love, and she
with trust gave him the grand passion
of her life.
hioding her adieu until he should again
c. me TO her, and going home intent upon
revealing the truth to Eva he was met
by the news that she must 10 abroad
and as his wife.
I know you have been engaged a lcnz
time. Walter, SO I take the liberty of
telling you the truth. You may save her
NE by going with her at once" said
the family physician.
was man ever placed so before, Wal
yer wondered: then seeing the hope In
Evas eyes he sat down and wrote the
circumstances to the woman he loved,
pleading with her to forgive him for the
pain he felt he was giving her. She did
not reply, and Ashley soon after went
abroad with his wife, to whom he was
invariably kind. He felt glad that she
was spared the knowledge of that other
love. yet he often doubted the wisdom
which had sacrificed the love of two liycs
for one.
Much to the surprise of her friends Miss
Lester suddenly married Mr.. Lennard, a
Californian. whom she had met while on
an outing the year previous.
The meeting on the train had broug III
70 the surface an Ash1ey's doubts and
into active existence the love which dom
mated his life. There was something
about their meeting and the Invitation
she had given him to call upon her that
puzzled him. Why should she tempt him
to her presence when she knew he loved
her? Was she seeking q sort Of revenge
for her past suffering, or was she unhap-
by herself, and like some other women
had become reckless and thus would lure
him on to-GOd! no he dared not think OF
that; he did not wish to think of II and
yet Well, he would see her at all
| events.
A few weeks later found Ashley in New
York. awaiting the ladies at Mrs. Les
| ter's home. Mrs. Lennard entered alone.
Glad to see you. Mother Is not we'll
and sends regrets" she remarked, as site
extended her hand in greeting.
II am delighted to see you again, Sara,
have thought SO much OF our chance
| meeting. Fearing you are not happy
you" moving nearer and taking her
hand. As she did not resist he raised it
to his lips, and then continued:
do you remember that night we"
''Oh. Walter, hush! have not told
you" she interrupted.
mo. you have not, but 1 know-was
he cruel to you, Sara? I could not bear
| to know you had suffered. Your kind
| ness in asking me here made me thin,i
you would--conflde in me. DEAR" plead
| ingly.
"Then if you know of Mr.. Lennard's
death. which occurred a year ago, want
you to know also that he was kindness
itself to me-" she SAID with emotion In
her voice.
At once the man pulled himself to-
gether. Running his eyes over her ne
noted the unrelieved black. He won
| dered how he had been so stupid, and
was thankful he would never know his
mistake. Hurriedly he said:
You did not enlighten me that day
| and it was not until later that knew of
your husbands death. but l have loved
you always, my darling. 1 cannot wait
| longer to tell you'll"
Again she was in his arms as on that
day so long before. Trust and love
surged from heart to heart with the old
enchantment which is ever new.