The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-02
HER HEARTS DESIRE.
BY ZOE RrNEHART.

bM AOE HIN hnhHtAs Copyright, 1905. by Daily Story Pub
 fishing Col
 She wore black dresses with white collars and cuffs and little white aprons. Her part in the plan of the universe was to serve the hungry people who Hooked from the trains into the sta ton dining room.
 It was in the hot summer days that she was most inclined to rebel at her lot. She was not what would be called a discontented girl. But when the crowds of summer tourists came pour ing into the eating house she had stir rings of a keen unrest
 Though no one would have dreamed it, she had a secret passion. It was all the while consuming her IS she set be- fore the hungry traveller the little dish es of bread and meat and vegetables the interminable little dishes.
 One day when the tide of pleasure seekers and tired workers had been moving westward for weeks. she walk ed into the managers office and asked to be relieved.
 He looked up with some annoyance. "Why, you're not going to leave us just now, are you? This is a rushing time. I don't want to break in any green girls just now. What did you say the trouble is?"
 T didn't say" faltered the girl. Her fingers were smoothing out the ruffles of her snowy apron. "But-pm going away. Tm-calied away" There was an air of suppressed excitement about her.
 well, if you must go. suppose you must. But of course you understand that if your place Is filled satisfactor- fly you will in all probability lose your job here"
 II didn't expect to keep it," she answered simply. She walked out of the office, and as she went she felt as strange as if she had suddenly dropped from another planet.
 After the lapse of two weeks she walked into the managers office again. The manager was busy and the one glance he gave her was followed by a frown.
 Didn't tell you the other day." he said impatient1y, going on with his work. that if you left your place would not be held for you?"
 The words the other day" fell strangely on her ears. She almost gaspei. The other day." Why, 1t seemed at least a thousand years.
 T haven't come to ask for my place again." she said. T have come to tell you something-to explain something. :"
 The busy manager glanced up impa- tiently. Well, please be quick about what you have to say, he said. and turned in his chair to face her.
 There was something in her look that startled him out of himself. He was a practical man, but he was one of those who can see subtler things than they are sometimes given credit for. He had seen this girl many times, nimble and active at her duties serving the interminable little dishes to hurried diners. It was a part of his own duty to see to 1t that these girls did their tasks well. But he had never seen her look as she looked now. Perhaps he had read of glorified faces. He may have seen them in pictures and possibly heard them spoken of in church. He may have believed in some- thing of that sort, but he was not ac- customed to see them among dining room girls.
 Her manner was quiet, but 1t was a quietness underneath which one di- vined a whole ocean of tumultuous feel ing. She spoke rapidly. but clearly and unhesitatingly.
 T have come back to tell you all about it," she said. T have come to confess and let you do what is right I have counted the cost and I'm willing to pay. I want you to send me to pris- on. I amsa thief. I have stolen from you-from the proprietors of this place."
 She paused. The manager was star. tied. He looked at her sharply. doubt.