The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-14
THE GUIDE.
BY FRANK IT. SWEET. (Copyright. 1905. By Daily Story Pup

(copyright. 1905. By Daily Story Pup. Co.)
 I'm mostly known as Jake MOT ris," said the guide. in answer 10 question from his employer, though my last name is the same as yours Lane. I'm Jackson Morris Lane by rights. but don't like the iast-t makes me think of my father. You see. it's this way" in answer to sta rtied look of inquiry which flasned to his companion's face; my father was Jackson Lane, an artist man from the North, who came down here ana married my mother who was oniy q beautiful ignorant mountain giri.
 When I was six years old he aeser.eu
 usea to sit there by the window watch ling for his coming month after month ana year after year her eyes just as flowing and hopeful as ever. Ana lo sit here watching mother, trying to think of ways to make her life more easv. That's why I didn't leave the mountains. Last year she died. lie
 stopped for a moment, and then Wehr on harshly. DO you wonder that like my mothers name or MOTIFS oe' lter than I do my fathers Of Lane
 wasn't but six when he went off. and
 I remember him as a tall. handsome
 man with soft hair and brown eyes, No wonder mother believed in him.
 Seems strange such man couid pc I-a sooundrel."
 HOW long ago was it. Jake-since your father left l mean MT. Lane
 asked.
 "Eishteen years. I was six ana
 now I'm twenty-four.
 Then a curious twinkle came to ms
 eyes. o. lother. lake" he said: we're cousins.
 Then he placed both hands upon his Icomnanion's shoulders and searched his face. You have been laborins under | a. mistake" he went on, there never was a nobler man than my uncie, Jackson Lane. He was in the habit
 of going of on long solitary Jourheys to various parts of the world In search of material for his pictures, and was that way when he was down here in tine mountains. My father and mother have told me about IT, They did not hear of him for forty years. then one day he was brought home unconscious. Apparently he was going off on a long journey through the woods-perhaps to send on tele- gram or to order goods-and his horse became frightened and threw him among the rocks He was picked up and carried to a city hospital, and was recognized there and brought home. He lived only a month, and only spoke two or three times. about little Jackson and somebody he called Mol lv."
 My mother" said Jake. sofetly.
 "Yes. I understand now. But It was all strange to father and mother. They thought he was raving.
 Jake was gazing out into the woods. back into the past, his face full of re-
 .'Mother believed all the time." he murmured, more to himself -.Ian his companion; but haven't. I'm glad to know"
 "There is another thing. Jake. con- tinued MT. Lane. T haven't told you half vet. It's you who are the rich MT. Lane now, not me All the mon sy belonged to Uncle Jackson. My father was only a poor professor In a struggling college. But I'm glad to say he was a good custodian. The half million your father left has more than doubled under his charge"
 Half a million-doubled. said many thousand. MT. Lane. But I don't believe I want 1t. I ain't been brought up to need much. You and and Meta will have more use for 1t
 
 than me-"
 "But we can't use 1t. Jake" expos tulated Mir. Lane. Tt isn't mine now. We will start for the North today. I want you to see my father and moth- l CT; and besides, they will want to transfer the property"
 "Before you see Meta"
 Before I see anybody. This duty l comes first now"
 "But-but the money would mean | right much to Meta and her family"
 "Jakew The voice had a ring in it | which caused the two men to look | squarely into each others eyes. Then | they clasped hands. You remember | what you said about not caring for a | woman who could love any one better | than you. I honestly prefer to seek | Meta as a poor man. Now help me get ready to start"
 I'll be glad to see your folks Mir. Lane" Jake answered. Your side of the family is ali the kin have 1 now. As you say. we'll fix up about the money there"
 A week later. after being taken in-