The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-03
WHEN FORTUNE CAME.
BY FRANK H. SWEET. (Copyright, 1905, by Daily Story Puo-
 fishing Col

(Copyright, 1905, by Ddlly Stoiy Tuo
 fishing Co.)
 Theresa wandered from group to group, to her house and back to the beach. speaking to this one and that, and trying to smile now and then, but with a look in her eyes and culver on her lips that made the women gaze at her tenderly and the men turn away with a choking sensation In tneir throats.
 Day ofter day, and still storm-bat- tered boats labored in; then one morn ing a small wreck drifted into the harbor, and in 1t were two men who were nearly dead from cold and ex- posture. But when they saw the white eager face of Theresa bending over them they began to speak hurriedly. They had seen Jean but few hours before, they said, and had spoken with him, but had been too weak to oner assistance. His boat was drifting out side.
 Theresa did not wait for them to finish. With a sudden light in her eyes she ran to a boat. But strong men were there before her, and when she sought to enter they put her back gently. If Jean was to be saved, they said, it was their part to do 1t.
 Oh, the long hours that followed! None of the waiting had been like that. Up the beach and down, up and down, her fingers clasping and uRefael- Ing, and her face growing sharp and expectant When the boat drew near she did not wait for 1t to land, but sprang forward with a sudden whit ening of her face. Several recumbent forms were there, and one of them was Jean Motioning the fishermen back with a quick, imperious gesture. she leaned over the boat, and. with the icy waves curling about her an- ai form strong, loving arms. Then up the heach and across the white sands, swiftly, fiercely, as though she feared the black waves would sweep up and complete the work they had almost accomplished; and the fishermen and their wives stood back and gazed at her wonderingly. What miraculous strength the good God gave to ms creatures in times like this!
 After while some of the women followed her. Jean was in bed. sleep ing peacefully, and on the floor beside him was Theresa, her face buried In the bed clothes and her form shaken by wild, passionate sobs-the nrst aimee his departure in the spring. The @onen gazed at her a moment and then closed the door softly and went
 When the doctor came he looked grave "Too much cold and exposure, he said. 'Jean might recover, but well, he must have nourishing food and constant attention"
 There was little ahead, and Theresa was lavish in her expenditures for his comfort. First the pigs went, and then the cow and hens, and after a while articles of furniture from the house Jean saw, but said nothing. Only his eyes would follow Theresa wistfully, and every day he would make vain endeavors to regain use or his poor rheumatic limbs. and would talk of the time when he could return to the Shoals.
 Then one terrible day a man came with a paper for them to sign, and the paper said that if they did not pay a certain sum of money in certain time the house would no longer be theirs; but when he went away he left A roll of bills upon the table. Theresa slipped out a moment to choke back the sobs in her throat, so that Jean might not see. But when she came hack she found him crying-not as women cry, with low, repressed shud- ders, but with strong, conVuisive soos that shook his weak frame, and made her move swiftly to his side and throw her arms around his neck ana press her cheek against his.
 Rut in spite of 1t all. she was happy. What mattered anything so long as lean was growing stronger every day? If necessary she could go out with the Iobster-woman and earn enough to keen them from starving. So she laughed and sang at her work. and when the shadows grew thick on Jeans face she kissed them away and petted and chided him until glad ness and courage returned to his dear eyes.
 One morning he walked to the door, and the next morning went as far as