The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-06-11
LOVERS TWAIN.
ny BELLE pfANIArEs.

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 Tall and admirably proportioned, with most distinguished air, modest in bearing, straightforward in manner and frank in countenance and possess ed of captivating personality, Philip Hathcourt was well equipped to win favor in the eyes of women. But Leigh Cornell. the one woman to whom his heart inclined, wasNstill fancy free
 Though they were the best of friends he shrewdly divined that he would be forcing an issue if he told her of his love.
 T hear you are going to sing a solo at St. Luke's next Sunday" he said, as they sat in the box of the theatre one night.
 Yes: am to sing Angels Ever Bright and Fair"
 T shall come to hear you. By the way, we shall have guest at that time "a friend of my younger brother He is quite music mad, believe"
 Who is her she asked, carelessly.
 "An Englishman-though he spent his boyhood in America. His name is ReEinald Derbyshire."
 s''oh!" she cried. her eyes full of in- terest. Did he live here in this cit years ago, and did he fall heir r. title and estates in England?"
 Yes." he replied. Did you him?'
 Her eyes had become reminis a- and a soft smile played about the d cate curves of her lips.
 When we were children we sang h q vested choir. We were given the duets. more because was so fair and he so dark than for any blending or voices. They thought we made a tableau. I suppose. It was like a TO- mance. his becoming Lord Somebody and crossing the seas to his estates, and II Well. my lines were cast in far different places"
 Watching her jealously he noted the sudden sobering of her countenance.
 Sunday morning found him in the Hathcourt pew, his brother and their guest, Reginald Derbyshire, also D. es- ent-
 Young Derbyshire had gone to Eng land full of American ideas and with stolid determination not to become English" but it was only natural that an tmpressionable boy should insensi- ply and by degrees receive the imprint of English sentiments. Gradually he became nodded in the character of the country which had been his birthplace and at last England claimed him for her own. Soon after attaining his ma Jority he again visited his old home He had an eager interest in everything pertaining to his old life and hunted up his former friends with enthusi- asm. He had ever cherished most ten der recollections of the little pansy- eyed girl who had sung and played with him. It was of her. in fact he | was now thinking as he appeared to | listen to the sermon.
 He had scarcely ~'anced at the mem- 1 bers of the vested choir until now, when the organ pealed forth at the | closc of the sermon. young girl rose and faced the congregation She looked as tender and pure as an arch angel in her white robes, with eyes uplifted to the oaken rafters of the 1 little chapel
 zone of Raphears Sistine Cherubs! thought Reginald.
 At the rising cadence of the song and the exquisite play of the silvery tim Der of her voice his memory awoke.
 .Leish! he gasped. as the old fa- mi1iar air and words rang out How they took him back to the Sundays of 1 his boyhood!
 the painted windows and fell in slant ing rays upon the golden hair that crowned the young singer like halo.
 And I taught her that song!" was his triumphant thought
 She. finished There was a momen- tary silence like that solemn pause which follows a benediction. Then, with a tremor in his low, gent4e voice. the old pastor offered heartfelt pray CT. Outside the church Reginald wait ed for her. When she came he rushed forward with impetous and outstrech- ed hand
 Leigh" he cried, eagerly.
 bright, glorious flush rose to her cheeks and happy light shone in her eyes as she grasped his hand. while Philip, standing by. felt like kicking this newcomer to the ends of the earth.
 T knew you as soon as you began