The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-03
Our Daily $bcrt Story

Seven weeks after, and summer had faded into Autumn. The cold east wind sobs and signs among the dead leaves. All things are dreary and dreariest of all is the forlorn figure that lies shivering at the root of a gaint oak on the high cliff above the river. The sun hangs low in the darkening west, the birds trail homeward. and from out the timber comes the haunt ing evening song of the darkies as they wend their way cabinwards. On the bank few feet below where Lillfth lies stands a man with gloomy brow and weary, pain-haunted eyes. His figure droops in a helpless aban- don of despair. A long shudder shakes him and he turns to go, when his eyes rest on the crouching figure above him. 'Lillith" He put out his arms. then drew them back and buried his face in his hands to shut out her face.
 At the cry Lillith tottered to her feet and the next moment her arm was around his neck.
 "Barty. save mel" she moaned, hold ing him convulsively and sobbing wildly.
 For a moment he stared at her dully. then with a stern gesture he unclasped her arms and drew himself away.
 'Lillith. what does this mean? I left you two months ago. my betrothed wife, happy and joyous. I return to find you false; with a face that Is wan with an guish and crushed with trouble"
 A crimson flame shot into the pale cheeks and for a moment her eyes were like sparks. Then as suddenly she was pale and dull again and with a swailing cry she darted across the sand and poised for a second in the air, the next her figure disappeared.
 HoSffaffn0 not EacOnd Pnrt1aff Burwell dashed to the edge and follow ed her. As she struck the water he could see her white face far below him, The current was swift and he almost lost hope as he was buffeted and thrown against the floating logs and slippery rocks. His face was set into a stern, determined mask. Reach her he would. Clutching madly at a pass ing log he managed deftly to whirl himself within reach of her long hair that floated behind her. moment later he chasped her tightly and made his way to shore, which at this point was level and easy of land- ing. She had lost consciousness and lay white and still in his arms. Fran tically he forced the contents of his pocket flask between the set teeth; in little while he was rewarded by | COnVulSlNe movement anu AiliitH | opened her eyes.
 The moon was bright as day on the white sand and she could see his fea- lures plainly. A soft, contented sigf broke from her.
 T am in heavenw she mumured | nestling contentedly in his arms. | Suddenly two shots rang out simul- | taneously and a cry of agony pierceed l the night air. 1 Bartlett laid the again unconscious girl on the sand and sprang up the bank to the thick clump of pines, from which issued groans of pain. 1 He could not repress an exclamation of horror. On the ground lay two | figures. One was stiff and silent; from the other came the agonized sounds oi l suffering.
 Bartlett bent over him and with g | cry of consternation recognized the father of Lillith.
 | "I am done for" he groaned, as Bart lett lifted his head on ito his knee.
 How did it happen?" Bartlett asked as he endeavored to staunch the spurt' ing blood, that was already staining the leaves around the wounded man.
 Bartlett. is 1t you? God. boy, leai l nearer quick. must tell you all. ] got into trouble and into the power oi 1 that hound there. While I was gon' he came to LilIith and told her ant threatened to have me imprisoned un' less she sacrificed herself. I found II out an hour ago from her old colorec
 nurse I set out to hunt him and mel him here I gave him time to get his gun. I--he--'
 The voice trailed into an inarticulatt mutter and suddenly ceased He was | dead and. Bartlett laid him down with
 shudder.
 He felt the other body with his foot he could not touch 1t. and saw that Al len Fletcher was safe from the wratf of man.
 With a white face full of pity and suffering he hurried back to Lillith She was just struggling to rise and pitiful cry burst from her, when she saw him beside her.
 Don't look at me in that manner my darling. know every bit of the story
 and only love you." he said, gather ing her in his arms.
 But father" she walled. "We are
 forgetting him"
 l As gently as possible he told he'
 of the horrible tragedy just enacted above them.
 She broke into a storm of sobs and he wisely let her weep as he folded her close in his arms and struggled along | the shore to the house and delivered her over to the kindly old nanny