The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-04
Our Daily Sport Story

tate ever since started in. Any good land out your way?"
 The old friends were chatting like school boys when they alighted from over "reminiscences, then to run up the wide steps of Branch's handsome house.
 You have a charming home," ob- served Wix. gazing about from the hall: I'll model mine after yours, I guess"
 The telephone in the corner rang sharply.
 "My call." said Branch impatientiy. 'Wait a moment"
 'Hi, wifey." he shouted in his cheery way. i've brought friend to lunch. Come down!'
 "Very soon, dear" the clear voice echoed from some room above.
 The husband hung up the receiver with a disgusted jerk, after few sharp words.
 "Thunderm he snorted, Lew, I must go back to the office. The man can't wait. and the matter is too important to go over. I'll return in an hour
 "I'l go with you," said Wix in a low quick whisper. While you are busy, I've bit of business to attend to-"
 "No Lew; stay and lunch with Mrs. Branch"
 sam, I'd rather go with you. don't wish to be impolite. but" His tone was scarcely audible.
 "Well! come along, then. I've got to hustle" Branch turned to the stairs
 Jennie" he called, wait lunch. have to see a man who just telephoned, Sorry: we'll be back by two o'clock"
 Not waiting for a reply. he hustled out wix was ahead of him.
 In silence they hurried along, Branch absorbed, his companion stridipg me- chanically.
 Presently wix spoke.
 "Ynur wife has a pleasant voice. Sam"
 "Yes, yes, she has. Confound 1t. I ought to have had that deed register ed"
 Did I hear you call her Lennie?"
 Guess so! Names Janet. Janet Janet Shelton. Jennie to me. Drat that deed! Pardon my not listening, old man. I've some thinking to do." At the corner wix halted, putting a detaining hand on Branch's shoulder, firm. affectionate grasp. "I'll leave you here and take a cab," he said calmly: there's a car going your way. Shake hands, Sam. for luck. feel sort of lost in this great city. but I'll reach you at yonr office before lunch"
 Sure" answered Branch, absently pressing the extended fingers. Good by. for now, Lew"
 "Good-by," said wix "Good-by" When Branch had finished his busi- ness, he glanced at the clock in tho main office.
 Its time Lew showed up." he com mented. "Hullo! here's a messenger boy. From him, I'm afraid. Yes" He signed the receipt book tore open the envelope and stood rigid. staring.
 "No answer" he said thickly. The lad strolled out, whistling. Branch sank Into a chair, and again read tho note. Slowly he tore 1t to bits. dropping the pieces listlessly into the waste basket.
 And he says I must never let her know" came his inaudible murmur Lord save us! To think that I went and married his girlr' Branch was a man of expedients, and one to allay suspicion. A few minutes later he called up his house. His bookkeeper listened to the steady voice
 That you, Jennie? Louis Compton, the friend had with me, can't lunch with us. so I will not be home until dinner. I got a bite downtown. Sorry you didn't meet Lou, but he couldn't wait over. Get 1t? Say! some years ago you had a cousin killed by the cars: a railroad man was asking me. What was his name? Hart? Silas Hart? Thanks! Good-by! He turned from the instrument, wip- ing the beads from his forehead.
 Its tough for poor Lew" he breath ed, but if Silas hadn't been in that accident, I wouldn't be telephoninR my second wife"