The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-27
THE SCALES OF FATE.
BY JULIA !. POWERS. (Copyright. 1905, by Daily Story Pub.
 Company.)

BY JULIA J. POWERS. (Copyright. 1905. by Daily Story Pub.
 Company.)
 Hyram King, the manager of the great mercantile house of Rosgood, Smith & King. sat at his desk staring at the unchangeable evidence of an others crime. This evidence involved a trusted man and the happiness of d good woman.
 The accountant had handed him that morning the annual statement of the firms affairs. This told many things --the firms prosperity. its financial standing and ended with evidence of trust violated and confidence misplac- ed. The cashiers account showed a shortage of five thousand dollars.
 The face of the man looked pale and haggard in the fickering sunlight which stole into the dingy office. He was bound by all the laws of duty to protect the interests of the firm Ev- erything demanded this mans convic- tion and punishment to the fullest ex- tent of the law; but back of 1t was a. woman--the defaulter's wife. The law that convicted him must condemn her, innocent though she was, to a heritage of disgrace and shame.
 Hyram Kings mind reverted back to the never-to-be-f forgotten days when he had wooed this very woman-and had lost. In her sweet womanly way she had told him of another: and with hope deadened to despair he had ac- cepted and respected her decision, but the love in his heart had lived on undimmed, eternal. The years that came and went had only added to his loneliness for such is love.
 After & little he raised his eyes from the sheet. Could there be no evasion? Must his be the decision that must cause her pain and heartache? He cared not for the man, his infamy de- manded punishment: but he did not want 1t to fall upon her.
 As he sat wrapped in meditation a clerk entered and reused him. "A lady to see you. sir" he said hesitatingly.
 T am busy" he said gruffly, and can't see any one.''
 II told her that, but she insisted that bring you this laying a card upon his desk.
 He picked up the card and looked at 1t. 'God-his wife!"
 A moment later a woman, holding a little child by the hand stood timidly in the doorway.
 You will pardon my intrusion" she began appealing1y, and he caught the sadness in her voice, but I want to see you alone"
 He asked her in and fastened the door. At the sight of her half-forgot- ten memories came back thick and fast. The blood of younger years leaped back to his heart. He noted the face, a little older and more care worn, but calm. sweet and always the same. The child at her side. her child and another's-he realized then what God had denied him.
 II have come to see you about my husband,'s she confessed reluctantly. He does not know that I am here, but he has changed so much in the last few months that I thought perhaps 1t might be his work, and you would un- derstand"
 Hyram King was silent. but the look of sympathy in his eyes encouraged her and she continued, her voice trem- bling a little.
 He seems to have something on his mind. and often when I speak to him he does not hear me. Only the other day found him with baby in his arms and the tears rolling down his cheeks. He was always kind and thoughtful. and now I-I-' She was sobhinr and the man at the desk felt some thing rise fin his throat that choked him.
 For while he sat silent He was thinking how simple 1t would be to tell her all-of her husbands guilt.