The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-16
THE UNFINISHED BOOK.
lCooyright, 1905, by Daily Story Pub = CnA
BY r. Fl. LANCASTER.

BY r. Fl. LANCASTER. 7 lcoqyright, 1905. by Daily Story Pup
 Col
 And he who had neglected to avail himself of his privileges, and had lei' his book unread, had to fall on his face and implore forgiveness The woman started, put the book aside and lstared off into space. He who hao left his book unread was to fall on his face and implore forgiveness. It seemed a harsh sentence. Suppose .She monk had been unable to read his book or afraid to-But no matter what the cause. he had to fall on his face and She drifted into reverie. The dressing bell reused her. Well. Twas that what the future held for her? Submission and plea after the ihard light end the brave fight she had made to leave her book unread?
 There be chapters in life that ye may not read" she had said sternly to herself. resolutely putting the theme throwing to hold the reading of small account. had developed taste and hum lger for colder things had ceased to pity and begun to pride herself be- Icause of that past self denial, now had come this sentence upon the idle monks of long ago, come bringing a lgrewsome chill to her heart-like a conviction.
 She shrugged her shoulders, a fthe mind than of the body. and spoke aloud. A habit that had grown on her from much living alone
 "Weif' she said, ''the deed has been done, the duty neglected. I am too old to begin reading the book now" But she did not smile, for the book she thought of was the book of love, and 1t is a sorry thing for a woman to realize that youth has passed over her and not touched her.
 Theresa Glover was thirty-five and unmarried. She wore a seal ring and gold glasses and her name meant something in various places to a good many people but-she had never read the book of love. She had smiled al its binding of blue and gold and laiJ 1t aside. And he who had not avail. ed himself of his privileges"
 But I had other things to do," and ran on in whimsical self communion ''Doubtless so had the monks of man, years ago. Carving and missal ant cutting of stone. yet he who had no read his book did penance." :,
 T did not have the chance. My nam' was not called when the books were being distributed but memory touch ed her lips with a half-smile of ten derness. She had had the chance Her name had been called very clear thought about good deal ten or twelve years ago. An. that was what had started this vagrant train of thought. Some one of that name was among her guests for dinner. Mar garet had mentioned 1t at breakfast anG 1t had ben hanging around the con- fines of her consciousness ever since
 Had she really acted wisely in put ting the book aside? If she had 1t to that way?" She stirred, smiled at her vagaries and went down stairs tc dress for dinner.
 Miss Glover lived in a square house set in a square yard full of trees. The house was a single story. but on the corner of 1t ran up a tower to a sec ond story, and in the top of this tow CT Miss Glover had ner den. Her 'scriptorium," as she called 1t with things and executed small ones, and ate her husks and her kernels alike in solitude; for there were none who got close to her or comprehended her. It was long since there had been any ,one to share her triumphs or sympa. thies in her defeats. but she hac long ago grown used 10 standing anc sitting and falling alone.
 An orphan niece lived with her and many people were entertained 1T the house. Miss Glover paid the bill and presided at the dinners and count ed herself lucky to get off so easy. I was for a dinner that she was now making a toilet. rather simple matter of slipping out of a working coat into a sllken gown and changin, her comfortable collar for a bit O lace. Thirty y-five-but the intellect ual life is a good preserver If lunac, of dress or habit be not mingled witt it Theresa Glower's dark eyes wer, still full of fire, her skin firm anC fresh. She gave the usual perfunct ory glance in her mirror, and crossed the hall to receive. She had forgot ten who as to take her into dinner but Margaret would send to her who ever she decided upon. Margaret at tended to everything and. girl like managed to have prtety gay tim' under the dreamy eyes of her dream ing aunt. .=.
 "oh. you look so nice. And, auntie when he comes-that man I was tell ing you about, please eo look at him He has such strong face"
 Miss Glover was just then deciding that the next article she wrote for tn, New Mental Culture should deal witt the effect of time upon the impres- sions and taking a little foretaste oi the tone of the thought, but she smiled kindly and asked:
 But my own little girl. how am to know your latest hero among SC many"
 'Ill pinch your arm. Wait. that: him"
 It was him" indeed, Gascon Blake the man who. the man who She bowed in a maze. Why, she had heard that he had gone abroad. heard that