The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-15

standing on the kitchen steps. lighting his pipe.
 'who was that fellow. FL" he asked, Fred Taggart?'
 "Yes, father"
 T thought so. Come to say Rood-by didn't he? Well, I'm sorry for old man Taggard; he sets the world by that boy An 'tis pity, too. Fred was the smart est feller round here at one time, for a young chap. an seemed to have the makin' of something uncommon But the smartness has all frazzled out now in kid gloves an squeakin' boots; an he's goin' up to the city to work for six dollars a week. when his fathers got the finest farm round here, an Fred could have the runnin' of 1t in a few years if he'd stay. We'll, well! Fools ain't all dead yet. But here comes Hank. Guess he wants to see you Ell"
 Elsie had been slipping into the house with heightened color, but turned back Hank was the son of their nearest neighbor, and was a good, whole-soul- ed fellow, with clear head and ener- getic habits, but woefully diffident and slow of speech Elsie liked him. but had never cared to analyze what Hanks feelings might be toward her.
 As he approached them the young man nodded to her father, who was moving away toward the barn, and then turned to her .expectantly, with the color rising slowly to the roots of his hair. But not until her father was out of hearing did he speak
 Elsie" he began then. bashfully. Fred just said good-by to me. He'll De gone for a long time"
 "Yes," tentatively. "he said good-by to me-"
 There's that rehearsal tonight-Sat- urday night. you know. Elsie" he went on. Its quite long walk. and-and you'll be needing somebody to go with you. thought Tdlbetter run over be- fore any of the other boys got round"
 T can go alone just as well as not Hank. It's bright moonlight"
 ''Yes. yes. know 'tis." desperately But there's rehearsals next week. and church tomorrow night, and--and there's all summer long, and all next winter. It won't be moonlight all the time. You'll need somebody to walk with you. Of course aiu't asking you to keep company with me-" hurriedly; ''only--only you'll need somebody till Fred gets back, and I'm handiest"
 I'm not engaged to Fred" proudly.
 No, of course not. I know that-or thought so. But he sort of kept com. pany with you. and-and-rm handiest Elsie, and you'n sure need somebody and-and you and I will understand"
 She looked at him thoughtfully
 Yes, you and I would understand Hank" she said, and maybe I will need somebody sometimes. Ives, you may come for me. Hank"
 The rest came about naturally Hank became Elsies steady company. as the neighboring young people said; but Hank and Elsie themselves understood And Fred. when he returned home for few days at Christmas. understood. too and he wrung Hanks hand and called him a good fellow for protecting his girl from the other boys.
 Before the end of the next year there was a rumor that Fred's father was not quite satisfied. The firm had not ad- vanced Fred as it ought. He was still receiving six dollars a week. and money had to be sent from home to pay for his clothes; then his letters were filied with theatres and the proper things in high life, with nothing about his work.
 By this time Hank had developed into a tall. broad d-shouldered young man, perfectly capable of managing the farm which was now almost wholly under his care.
 Then one day Fred suddenly appeared among them, jaunty as ever. and home for good, as he said. The city was too crowded and unsatisfying; and besides. his father needed him to manage the farm. And all he brought for his two years work and the money sent him was a large diamond which flashed upon one of his fingers, and experience.
 The very night of his arrival he dressed himself with all the elaborate ness of hts- city neighbors and went across to Elsie's home. She received him in the parlor. in the pretty whitA