The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-17
THE WITCHERY OF A VOICE
BY H. s. CANFIELD, JR. Copyright, 1905, by Daily Story Pub.
 

BY H. S. CANFIELD, JR. (Copyright, 1905, by Daily Story Pub.
 Company.)
 Billy Foster sat facing his compan- ion in silence, his eyes filled with dreams. his fingers toying idly with the slender stem of the glass before him. The two had dined and now fingered over their wine.
 Tt feels pretty good to get back to the old haunts again, doesn't it, old chap?" queried his friend as he light ed match and held it across the table.
 Billy took the proffered light and puffed vigorously at his cigar for few moments before he spoke.
 Yes he assented finally. it does. And yet things are changed so much. Allen, old man, that l some times wish I had stayed away. Some times I think 'twould have been bet ter for all concerned.
 You have been away quite a while at that. Billy" said Allen.
 Six years this month" replied Fos- ter, and it seems like twice that. During all that time I have done noth- ing but idle away my time I have been of no account to any one. least of all myself"
 T scraped through college at 21, with no knowledge beyond the ability to find a hole outside-tackle or hurdle the line. I went abroad, the son of a money king-I return a pauper, my father a failure and suicide"
 He dropped his head on his hand with a bitter laugh. Jim Allen, for time, smoked on in silent sympathy.
 Perhaps you would like to hear little of what's been going on in your absence?'
 Foster looked up quickly and nodded his head. A smile fiickered around his friends mouth as he spoke.
 Any tidings of the peerless lnez Webster would doubtless be doubly welcomed he ventured.
 The young man colored. and hard lines settlcd about his mouth. T was rather struck by her beauty" he ad- mitted, 'but-but that is a dream of the past-vanished like all the rest. For a time Miss Webster was so kind as to correspond with me. but sud- denly that ceased and. well you know a man doesn't have to have house fall on him, so to speak.
 Now see here, Billy, this won't do at all, don't you know replied Allen with friendly frankness. Inez is mighty fine girl, and I'll stick up for her every time"
 No doubt your suit has prospered," broke in Foster, with a trace of sheer.
 "Billy!'
 Forgive me. old chum, I'm in a bad mood tonight. You know I didn't mean it." cried Billy, repentantly. Their hands met across the table and Jim went on:
 Down in your heart, Billy Foster. you know the girl is no more to blame than you or I. She lives in an atmos- phere of gold and snobbery; she has had the word title sung. beaten and pounded into her since she was old enough to take her first dancing les sons. What she has to stand from morning till night would drive a worse girl than Inez from her home"
 He wound up with a blow on the table that made the glasses jump, and sat up squarely defying contradiction. Foster slowly nodded assent.
 T never wasted much love on the old folks. myself" he said. The way Mommer Webster would corner some blear-eyed little Italian count or Hun garian baron, and transfix him with that smile of hers, while she examined him thoroughly through her lorgnette, was a source of highest amusement to me-"
 They both laughed heartily.
 Now you know, Billy. Inez has prin- ciples, something by the way, that every one else hasn't got. and some of these aforesaid assets, have to do with the little word obey Consequent ly, when the Count Rivola, or whatever his name is. appeared upon the scene. Mamma forbade the writing, and Daughter dutifully obeyed.
 The listener sat straight up. "So!' he said.
 Me noble Dock isn't making much progress, either" chuckled Allen. 'Inez is giving him plenty of exercise. kiAd of keeping him in training, as 1t were"
 She's got a studio some where over in Bohemia where she goes in for art and the like. Told Sis the other day it was the only way she could side step with His Nibs.' Allen chuckled again.
 Well" said Foster, wearily as they arose to go. If ever I was in the race I'm out of 1t now. A man might as well try to blow up Gibraltar as to break into the good graces of old