The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-11-21
Our Daily $bort Story

another. Alas for the nerve of an el- derly bachelor! Elsie- came tripping down the stairs to meet him and scat tered his brave resolutions with word.
 Poor Mrs Bailey has headache." said she. as he helped her into her travelling coat. 50 when I heard you were coming back to see me off wouldn't let her go to the train."
 John all but dropped the coat "Ev- elyn not comingw he cried.
 Fortunately Elsie was busy arrang- ing her gown and did not notice his dismay. It Is perfectly dear of you. MT. Drowne, to come way up-town just for this." she declared. Father will be pleased to learn how nice you have been to his troublesome daughter"
 %. no trouble at all.' he remon- strated. Not the slightest. Your father and I are very old and warm friends. I'd do more than this for him at any time."
 And not for me. too?" she inquired with innocent coquetry.
 Yes. yes--for you, too" All the same. his sisters absence gave the matter an entirely new aspect. His carefully wrought plans now re- quired revision.
 hardly opened his mouth. His brain, however. was intensely active. "Coward"' said one side of 1.-the new, bold side-"Coward, to go 50 far and then fail!"
 Suppose she should refuse. suggest ed the other side-the familiar, shy one-"think how terribly embarrass- | ing" ' But it may be your last opportun- ity," urged the bold one. You're get | ting old, John Drowne; and you'll never have better excuse" As if to clinch this last argument
 came his companions next words: I'm afraid shan't see you and dear Mrs Bailey again for a long. long
 time." said she. were going abroad
 next month .and may be away a year or more."
 That settled it. If don't at least | try now I'll never forgive myself" John said to himself fiercely. 'T'li ask per mission, even if It does shock her." Then the carriage stopped in front of the railroad station and a glance at the big clock showed Drowne that he had barely time to get Elsie's tick cts and check her baggage. Now for it!' thought he, as they en- tered the car and found her seat. He set down her bag and turned with out stretched hand. Now for itr' he re- peated, with desperate determination. Goodbye, Miss Elsie. I'm very sorry you're going" Then he persed. He still held her hand; but the carefully rehearsed speech refused to proceed. Elsie re- garded him with grave. puzzled eyes. but her lips were curved with the smile that always seemed lingering there or just about to come. Never had the favor he feared to ask seemed more desirable.
 My dear little girl" he began again. your father is my oldest and best friend. You know I'm as old as he | old enough. in fact, to be your uncle" On the platform the trainman shout | ed his warning. The porter slammed
 vestibule door at the opposite end of | the car.
 I'm old enough to be your uncle," | he repeated. desperately. Would you | mind, just this once-would you mind | pretending that I really am some old
 uncle. and letting me--letting me"--He could not say it; the word absolutely refused to come.
 The train began to glide almost inn perceptibly forward. In another mo- | ment it would be moving too fast for | him to drop off. Failure stared him blaakly in the face. | He started to withdraw his hand. To his surprise he felt it retained The | girl was looking at him with a very | queer expression. Good bye, dear MT | Drowne." said she, and leaned slightly
 forward with upturned face.
 
 It was only a matter of seconds
 Drowne stood on the platform and
 watched the receding train. his lips
 still tingling from the contact of some- | thing unforgettably soft and fragrant
 Well, I did it." he kept repeating
 to himself. 'I did 1t; I did it. It's