The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-17
A HORSE SHOW ROMANCE.
By Marie Deacon Hanson copyright, 1SoL by Daily Story Put

By MaYie Deacon Hanson
 Copyright. 1soL by Daily Story Pub.
 Beth was hurryinx from her work to the car when a horse show poster Tn shop winow arrested her foot steps. A moment she stood gazing at 1t. then went on her way lost in a dream of bitter-sweet memories.
 It was a year ago since she had attended her first horse show. one of . merry box-party How different the world had seemed since then, with her father. wealth, luxurious home and friends all swept away. And John Barring. whom she had thought truest friend of all, gone the way of the rest.
 The car reached. Beth shrank into a corner and drew her veil down to hide the tears which would come. A year ago. she had not cried, even when they took her father away. Later. when she had left her suburban home and gone to the city to find work. she had not cried when. night after night. she had returned to her lonely little room unsuccessful and discouraged. That was because she had been brave with the thought that John Barring would find her. She was so sure then that be loved her. He had never said so in words-there was no need of haste-but his every look and action had spoken to her the unmistakable language a woman never fails of nr- derstanding. The night of the horse show. he had held her hand a little longer and looked with deeper mean ing into her eyes. when he greeted her She had never seen him since. The day after had come her fathers sud- {, den death and subsequently, her change of home and fortune. Six months later. she had read In the newspaper the announcement of John s. Earrings engagement to New VOTE society girl.
 Beth was glad when the conductor called her corner. In her own room she could cry as much as she pleased without fear of mourning curious gIances. Tonight, she craved the lux ury of good cry. Heretofore. she had braveiy fought the temptation to yield to her feelings. Now. with sweet memories revived. a veritable flood of love and longing surged through her and the one relief was tears.
 Presently, when the storm had spent itself. Beth bathed her face and changed her dress. She had no de- sire to eat. instead she sat down to read the only two letters she had ever received from John. One was to ask i permission to call: the other was to l inform her he was sending her inc music and books that she desired. T can't believe that man who writes such strong handwritins and signs himself faithfully yours can be less true than he seems. sstn saIa' and pressed her lips to the signature. She bowed her face in her hands and let her thoughts wander unchecked to the happy past and John Barring.
 That evening. an inspiration flashed on Beth. She would go to the horse show the opening night--not to oc- cupy a box as she had one a year ago. one of the most admired women there in her imported gown--but to sit In
 some inconspicuous seat where she could live over again the happiest night of her life.
 The days intervening before the horse show opening dragged intermin- ably to Beth. Alternately she was flushed and enjoyous with the hope of seeing John Barring at the show and pale and depressed trying to de- teruaine what good 1t really would do her to see him. That he had soon forgotten her was evidenced by his en-
 gagemcnt to another girl, one ih- stant Beth's pride came to her aid ana
 she resolved that she cared nothing about the possibility of seeing John | Earring: the next, very madness l possessed her to look upon his race ! again and she grew impatient at de- | iay. Her employer in the stationery ] store where she had been engaged for | her exquisite penmanship. was at | loss to understand her of late. He
 was a grey haired man. He had young daughter of his own and he had
 known Beth's father. One day he i said to her, when she had misdirected
 several out of the list of wedding in
 vitations she had been given to ad-
 Miss Horton. am sure you are not
 feeling we'll. want you to go nome
 this afternoon to rest"
 Il Beth accepted the kindly offer with l alacrity. But it was not to rest that l sine hurried to her room. She opened her trunk and taking out dress that
 John had admired, she set to work to Y freshen it. The blue hat that matched | the dress-and her eyes-she next ! took in hand Supposing she should 1 see John Barring, she wanted to look | her hest, He should never know that | she had hungered one second after him.
 1 show found Beth one of the first spec | tators to arrive. In her nervous haste
 and embarrassment at being alone she | did not notice the startled LOOK l chafFeur in a waiting automobile gave l her as she passed him. A minute later, she sank breathlessly into her seat. <, 1t chanced to be directly opposite the | box she had occupied last year. Beth | razed at it with eager wistful eyes. | Again she saw herself entering 1t, her ! father and John Barring in her train
 Later Johns aunt and uncle had loln = ed them together with their son Jack' | They had been such a merry party, and she had been the merriest. hap niest member. She was glad now. yes
 a thousand times glad that she had
 come. She did not care to see the horses. the people-the gorgeous gowns and jewels-all she wished was