The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-26

real bright and she didn't seem able to speak.
 And you can imagine the state of my feelings when I tell you I was turned down. That's the expression" Your mother gasped. | Yes. me. But .'ou see survived the shock, got fat over 1t, but I tell you it took some years, a good bit of pride, pretty nice living. and a very nice husband to help me out. al- ways thought my money would win any man even if my attractions couldn't" And she laughed again. liked to hear her laugh.
 And when I saw him few days I ago said to myself, T wonder if his wife appreciates the fact that he threw away half million on her ac- count"
 My account" and mother was laughing and looking like she wanted to cry. too.
 | "Ah. but you mustn't say word 1t wasn't only that but it was himself. Think of what he would have been with the aid of my half million. He wouldn't have had to hide his light in a grubby little office writing for pal try living"
 l "Oh," mother gasped, just as if she was swallowing something. | Yes, my dear, he told me squarely and honestly he loved another woman :. That was you. But hush, isn't that him coming now? Where's that boy! | I want to see him again. He's the | very image of John. No, he hasn't got a feature or expression of yours un- less--oh, I see it now, he's your son all right. He's got your cow-lick, and then they both laughed right out loud sos I had a chance to slide around the door, just as father was coming, pick, plick, down stairs. making that noise 1 with his shoes.
 But this isn't the end of my story about Mrs Fleet. I went back in sthe kitchen waiting for her to go. but she stayed long time. Then they all sounded like they was standing up and I heard Mrs. Fleet say-she talked real loud-"Call that boy. John. l want to see him again." So father came back and made me come out. | I do think I'm pretty big to be kissed. Mrs. Fleet took hold of me like she might have done kid. | Sonny" she said, T hope you'll grow up to, be just as good and honest as your father He's white all through if he isn't rich. and I hope you'll get some nice woman like your mother to love you as much as she does your father. and you remember, don't you ever go back on either of them, and don't you ever get into the way of thinking moneys everything, because | 1t tisn't. You hear me?" ! She was fumbling in her bag all the time she was speaking. She got out something, liked like a piece of paper, and folded it up real fine.
 q want you to have this for a 1 Christmas present; your fatherH tell I you what to do with it, she whis- pered. Then she kissed me again. but wriggled away from her--I don't like being kissed; don't like 1t at all.
 Father put her in the carriage and mother and I waited at the door. Mother was just as smiling and pleas ant I don't believe she'll ever get mad about Mrs. Fleet again.
 "Oh, John," she said, as father came lin. And then they got to hugging and crying and laughing. I went out in the dining room to look at that piece of paper
 Father. this is a funny thing she's given me-" said when he came into the room. He took 1t out of my hand.
 why, child he said, its check for a thousand dollars"
 "A thousand dollars!" I repeated. It made me dizzy.
 But it's all on account of you. fa- tther," said she wouldn't have given 1t to me if I hadn't looked like you. Now we can have fine Christmas ]
 said I'd divide even If l had thous- and dollars"
 But father and mother held hands all that evening. l thought they were real stupid.