The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-12
A CHANGE OF HEART.
BY RELLn NANIATEs.


 Copyright. 1904. by Daily Story Pub
 Col
 Phil Lawton's dark eyes wistfuliy followed the fair form of the young girl who fitted about the room. She was bestowing all her glRnces and all her little attention upon her father, Gen. William Thornburn, almost ignoring the presence of the man who adored her.
 Presently a servant entered and handed Miss Thornburn card.
 oh, it's Miss Lee! She will only make a formal call. I will be back soon," and with lingering cares upon her fathers bronzed check, she left the room.
 Phil looked up disconsolately.
 T might as we'll confess, General, that I tried my fate with Eloise this morning and --she has given no hope
 The generals grey eyes saddened.
 'Is that SO, Phil? I am truly sorry and disappointed but Eloise is only a child. She was startled, and doesn't know her heart yet"
 The young man shook his head dis couragingly. -.zssa''
 q had no reason to believe that she returned my love. general. She has al- ways treated me nicely and, courte- ously. but with good-natural toler- ance."
 Faint heart, Phil! Try again.
 "No," replied Phil slowly. "I don't want to lose even her liking. think I will take my departure now before she returns. Your days together are so few what I will not intrude mo- ment longer"
 A few moments after Phil had taken his leave, Eloise returned to the H. brary. K.
 "Alone, papal Where is Mir. Law ton?'
 He has gone. Eloiss. He asks me to say good night to you for him. He said he thought he would want our last few days together uninterrupted"
 He is very considerate, papa. In- deed, we do! Every minute of it."
 He told me-" what passed be- tween you and him this morning."
 The girls face flushed and she look ed embarrassed.
 Did he? Well, aren't you glad that I am going to remain your little girl-- always7"
 If were to be here with you. Eloise, I'd be 10th to give you even to Phil, but now that am ordered to the Philippines--to a country where I can not take you. 1t would be great relief to me to see you the happy wife of the man of my choice for you--the son of my lifelong friend--a man of honor. and to know that your future welfare was assured
 Eliose looked pdzzIed.
 Now, papa. how absurd! am to he with friends and you'll be back in tive years, and then we'll be ehums together again"
 My dear little girl! The fortunes and future of 8 soldier are very uhcer- tain, and you cannot know the anxie- ty and responsibility of a father for his only child who is motherless."
 Why papa. I did not know you felt this way about itg
 Tt would give me great content. Eloise. to go away knowing you were the wife of a man who would give you his love and protection as ell as home. but If you do not care for him, 1t cannot be, and we will think no more about it."
 But EIoise did think great deal about it, and naturally in thinking of it, she bestowed more thought upon Phil Lawton than she ever had before. After dinner, when the general sat down to his cigar and evening paper she knew he missed and wanted Phil who had been such a constant compan- ion, not only of late but in the days when she had been away at school and had known him only through her fathers letters.
 There are times when a man misses and yearns for another man, even if the dearest woman in the world Is about" she thought philosophically. She slipped from the room and dis patched little note to Phil, telling her father was Lonesome for him and would he not come over to the house--for her fathers sake.
 He came promptly and she gave him a grateful welcome. The general im- mediately frightened up and opened an animated discourse with the young man on the question of trusts. Eloise sitting apart in the shadows, listened and watched Phil Lawton's strong face with newly awakened interest and curosity Heretofore she had be- slowed but a casual thought and glance upon him. Turning suddenly, he caught her absorbed and interested gaze. and a burning blush spread over her face at the knowledge that she was detected in her close observation and scrutiny of him.
 She rose abruptly, and crossed the room to the plano. Some unaccounta- blo impulse moved her to sing softly an oldfashioned song that Phil had