The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-17
Our Daily $bcrt Story

to sit quietly looking at the box and 1 peopling 1t at her fancy. She was weak and wicked. too. to indulge in thoughts of John Barring whsn he be- lonRed to another. But 1t should be oniy Tor this once: to-morrow. she would go back to grim realities.
 presently. young girl sank into the next seat to Beth. She was accom- panied by a man whose eyes sought with lover-like persistency the sweet face beside him Once, Beth saw him surreptiticusly take and hold the It, tie gloved hand near The girls face flushed look that made Beth turn guiltily away. She would not seem 10 have seen for the world; yet she
 Reth's box filled. but among the party was not the bfoad-shouldered. tall figure she sought, She scanned the other boxes In view. It was ab- surd of her to have dreamed of finding John Barring in this vast place. It was 1rse rse looking for a needle in haystaek. Ihere was blare of trumpets. . flut- .ering Of red coats and, green rib- bons. The horse show had opened!
 little later. Beth decided to go nome. The reaction had come She was chilled one moment and burning the next, Her head swama her eyes felt misty and she was afraid she might faint The girl beside her look ed up suddenly:
 "You are iii" she said with gentle G0neern; GpIns n, My friend will get you
 No: thank you. You are find! I must go home." Beth answered..
 The outer world reached she stood a moment on the walk: the alr felt deiiciously cool and bracing. A man standing watching came hurriedly for- ward.
 Miss Horton" he said. And he stood respectfully. cap in hand.
 Why, it's Perkins!" Beth exciaim- ed. recognizing in the man John Bar ings chanfeur.
 ''Yes. miss. told MT. Barring H sure saw you go inside. He's inside try ing to find you. He's been trying to find you for good long times miss" There was a note in Perkins, voice that made Beth feel sudden affect ion for him.
 I'm so glad to see you again, Per- kins," she said. Do you-s
 Here the master comes now. miss.'' Perkins interrupted.
 Beth stood still. She could not have moved had she known she was in the path of runaway horse. She seemed to be intent upon watching Perkins hurrying back to the auto mobile. In reality. she saw nothing.
 At last, I have found you, Beth" John Barring said. And Beth,1 found courage to look up.
 As far as John Barring and Beth were concerned. the horse show was automobile conveyed them to an ex- elusive downtown restaurant. Here. In a quiet room, John made Beth drink a glass of wine--she iolxed SO woefully white and frail to him--and piled her with dainties she was too secretly happy to eat. Meanwhile. he told her how he had written to her the morning following the horse show of last year, explaining that sudden and urgent business called him to New York. He had expected to return ths next day. Instead. the business had neeessitated his taking passage for London. He had teiegraphed her from New York and had written to her from London. But never an answer had he received. Upon his return he found she had disappeared as completely as if the earth had swallowed her. Since | then, he had been abroad again In fact, he had only returned to the states the week before.
 "why didn't you answer my letters. setnf II neyer SeHn received asdsSi them. Fatber. death from heart failure was so sud- den and terrible that for days was dazed. When l came to myself only | to learn that I was penntiess and homeless had only one desire; that was to hide myself from -evsrybody.
 "But why from me, Beth. when you must have known that loved your" John asked. ..s.s..=-
 .T-I-thought perhaps you--you-" Beth stammered-
 "Yes?" John said.
 Father wasn't the rich man every body thought him: I was only poor girl and-and I thought" A warm flood of crimson stained Beth's | cheeks. It was so hard to explain with the grave. tender eyes watching her intently. What have you done with Miss Ethel Wynn?" she demanded ! suddenly.
 My cousin Jacks betrothed wtfeT John began wonderingiy.
 Reth's eyes filled with bewilderina light that made John Barring lean over the table, oblivious of the fact that waiter was approaching. Dear" John said, will you marry me week from to-day?''
 'Yes, John," Beth answered so soft ly it was as if she breathed the words