The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-06
THE TEST.
BY NELLIE GRAyEY GILMORE.

Copyright, 1905, Daily Story Pub. COL
 Selwyn laid aside his pen, and sat- for some moments, idly drumming on the edge of the writing table with ner- vous, unsteady fingers. Overwork' u good deal of worry and a succession or business disappointments had made him look ten years older in .. the twelVe months past. despite his bare twenty eight.
 Presently he resumed his calcula- tions becoming so deeply absorbed as to hardly notice the quick opening ana shutting of the library door. Mrs Selwyn found a seat in a shadowed part of the room, and took up magazine Every now and then. she stole fur- tive glance toward her husband lit- tie frown drawing her brows together Finally, she yawned, threw down her book and crossed the room to Selwyns "corner."
 Come" she said, resting both hands on his bowed shoulders, T want to talk to you" Selwyn dropped his pen with half sigh, and reaching up, imprisoned her hands suddenly. I'm awfully busy tonight, dear. Won't another time dc just as well?" His wife glanced deprecatingly at the pile of papers that filtered the tapie' then she looked anxiously into the up- IuTncu, CdTt-WOEH ''No," she returned, shaking her heao with a little smile, mo other time will do at all"
 Selwyn rose and commenced to bring order out of chaos. In little while he had restored each paper to Its re- spective stronghold. 'Ts 1t the opera or Nothing of so frivolous nature, she broke in quickly. hof
 Mrs. Selwyn hesitated a second be- fore she resumed ":A letter came tc me this morning. I have been consid- ering the advisability of showing 1t to you. Your right to my confidence IS of course. unquestioned. On the other hand, dislike extremely to bother you with personal matters at such an inconvenient time." She paused seek ing encouragement.
 Nothing that concerns you couio possibly be a bother to me-" he re- turned as he pushed aside couple ol books.
 "Then here 1t is." She drew forth crumpled sheet of writing paper from her belt, and held it out to him watching his expression keenly as nc scanned the contents. When Selwyn had finished, he re- folded the letter with careful delibera' ton and handed 1t back to his wire. You will have to use your own Judg- ment in this," he said. q would far rather@
 q beg your pardon--but would far rather not"
 You are willing, then, to leave the matter absolutely to me?" Absolutely
 "Is that to be construed into respect for my ability, or T meant to prove my perfect trus' in you.'
 Mrs. selwyn smiled as she slipped into a chair and motioned her husoaho to take the one opposite. "All men have a great many anairs of the heart, suppose, before the one great"
 Exactly"
 "Which, of course. amount to very little in after years- Nothing whatever" Mrs Selwyn smiled mysteriously as | she tucked the letter back into hei collectively. T shall not give myself the trouble of further debate" The other laughed, closing his eyes q bit. wearily. "There is just one thing I will say" he remarked pres
 ently
 And that?" q rather wish there was to be nc
 company at all here for Q few months
 at least.'
 q feel that way exactly, only-as all arrangements have been made
 "Of course, merely wished tc
 state that my feeling in the matter was entirely impersonal." Mrs. Selwyn rose as he finished speak ing, and went over to the writing table her husband had just vacated. She | took up a pen and hastily dashed dowr | the following: Dearest Margaret-By all means bring Miss Wethereld along. We shal