The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-11
THE INVULNERABLITY OF
 PRESTON.
BY NELLIE CRAvEY GILMORE.

 Copyright, 1905. Daily Story Pub. CO.,
 When lack Preston once said to his wife that nothing in the world could possibly shake his faith in her, he De- lieved, conscientiously, that 1t was the truth That not the slightest thing had ever happened. either before thelr marriage or after it, to interfere with this conviction, may have had a great deal to do with It's firmness. But Pres tons opinion seemed, to himselt' to pc based upon his own fine fidelity in ms wife's integrity; upon a conception that was too liberal to descend to pettiness.
 On this same subject, Mrs. Preston entertained her own separate views not unmixed with considerable doubt. And the doubt rankled. Finally, 1t as- sumed such proportions that she set about evolving a means of experiment. whereby she could ascertain solution that would be entirely satisfactory. In doing this, there were great many things she failed to consider at alias offset by the one passion to discover whether her husband was really so fn- vulnerable as he imagined himself.
 One morning, she went into her study with a determined plan in view. She tore up half a dozen sheets of paper before she finally managed letter to her satisfaction. It ran as follows:
 d.. Il. Dear Sir-Heed friends dfsinter- ested and well-meant advice and keep a sharp eye on your wife. A great many more things than this might be said, but word to the wise. etc.
 Observer"
 She made a careful type copy of the above sealed and clicked off the ad- dress to her husbands postoftice box. Then she locked her desk, pinned on hot hnrriadlV ont into the street, walking with a sort of gull ty, nervous haste till she reached a mail box Dropping 1t in quickly, she reversed her steps with more of leisure and returned at once to her sitting room and study.
 When Preston came in, half an hour later, his wife was industriously en- gagged upon her correspondence.
 Care about going out to the races this afternoon?" he asked after lit tie, idly lingering the pages of maga- zine. --.-- .:+-
 Mrs. Preston hesitated a moment. It took a good deal of will power to re- sist, but she made up her mind and must play the part she had set herself.
 "I am very sorry" she replied. stud iedly "but some friends have invited me to go automobiling, and" she paused. ..::>. ? .->.
 Some friends?" ..s~.s
 Yes; the Kelbys. you know"
 T know, of course. But@
 Well .@~ 3 *':-
 Well. 1t seems that you always have something else on hand when I ask you to go anywhere"
 Purely a coincidence. Experience should teach you that I'd far rather go with you" " .:-..
 Then break this engagement and come with me-" he pleaded.
 Impossible. It would spoil the par ty. and couldn't take such a responsi- bility on my shoulders" =3.....~-. 4. :@.-
 Preston colored. crossing his knees with sudden gesture of petulance.
 His wife watched him closely for sev- eral seconds. through contracted lashes. Looking at you now" she re- marked laughingly, "one would actually suppose you to be jealous"
 That's utter nonsense"
 Being jealous?" she hazarded.
 "Certainly."
 After an instant's reflection. Mrs Preston rose, and coming over to where her husband sat. bent over the back of his chair and touched his cheeks with the tips of her fingers. Jack" she be- gan in a queer little tone. isn't there anything that could make you jealous about me Don't you love me enough?" she added wistfully.
 T love you too much. that is it." he responded swiftly.
 "Of course we've argued all this be- fore-and always with the self same re- suit. But I had commenced to hope"
 'Yes?"
 That possibly you had grown more human"