The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-17
HE PAYMENT IF A DEBT.
Copyright, 1905, by Daily Story Pulp
 fishing Company)

fishing Company
 David Morris had married to repay an oblig ltion. and now he regretted It.
 Up and down the small platform he walked. followed by little curls or smoke from his cigar. The morning paper was crunpled in his hand
 And David Morris's thoughts were busy that morning. While he waited for the train to bear him to town he lost sight rt the shining rails narrow ing off toward the city; lost sight or the well-kept streets, gardens and cot tages of the pretty suburb of Strat- on; the shifting scenes of his mental vision were more real to him.
 Once L.ore he was hearing faint voices of some one who had been seri- ously hurt; how a swinging sign had fallen on some poor fellow, striking his head and breaking his arm' then he was opening his eyes to see who was speaking and, in trying to move, felt a pain in his own arm and realized they were talking of him.
 Once more he saw himself back from the hospital recovering from the ill., ness that followed; back In his room at Mrs. Pearson's.
 She was very good to him; and now, as plainly as during those days. he could see her ministering to his com fort. He remembered all her care of him. Yes, he would have died but for her care. both doctors said so, and in the long days of weary convalescence, when she gave all time possible to his diversion, he thought of that and of his duty to her.
 A sudden shrill whistle brought Da- vid back to the platform, He boarded the train and mechanically unfolded his paper, but he did not read; his memories had not been left in the sweet spring air of Straton; they foi< lowed and unfolded before him.
 Five years ago this coming autumn Mr. Pearson had been lost in the klon- dike. All that had ever reached his wife was a small sum of money and poorly written letter from a man of her husbands party.
 Mrs. Pearson remained in her roomy flat. but took up her abode in the back part and rented the most desirable rooms.
 In one of these rooms the following year David lay and thought of what she had done for him and of what he should do for her.
 And he did it. He had not pretended to love her. and, what is more strange, she had not pretended to love him much. That their experience had brought them at that time into a cer- tain sympathetic understanding was natural.
 After their marriage they had moved to Straton. Davids income was good and he loved the country. The only reason he had ever chosen city resi- dence was the lack of a housekeeper. Being supplied with that necessity. he immediately sought congenial sur roundings.
 Now he wished he had stayed in town; had offered to support Mrs Pearson-at a distance-an her life, instead of marrying her; he wished anything would happen so that he could be free to marry Alice Barton.
 Rapidly his thoughts had brought him up to the last year.
 Alice Barton lived in straton. How well he remembered their first meet ing. She had charge of the grab bag at the church sociable. He had watched her long before he had approached, but when Mir. Addison got a party of grown persons together, all flor the good of the cause" buying chances to grab, David joined them. And he had grabbed" as often as he dared. fill- ing his pockets with tin whistles, star ing china dolls insufficiently clothed, 1 co"rucopias of candy all If which he rid himself of before going home. But his hand had touched Alice's. his eyes had looked into hers, and an acquaintance had begun.
 David became restless at home and developed an unusual interest in church affairs and the social gatherings of Stratton. His wife seldom went out. She was several years his senior, and they had no tastes in common now. But David could not pay any marked attention to Alice, nor would she give him the slightest encouragement. Yet his admiration-and yes, he acknowl- edged fiercely-his love, increased rap | idly.
 And why shouldn't love herr" he thought for the time of an incomput- able number. "Of course. I know I am married. the minister said SO, but that kind of tie didn't bind my heart"
 Then came the night when Alice l Barton's house caught fire. Perhaps l the danger had been slight and Alice's presence of mind and prompt action | had nearly eXtinguished the flames when the volHRteer fire department ar- rived; there was little damage done, except to nerves.
 Every one was drinking coffee in the kitchen, when David. ever watchful. saw that Alice was not present. She had kept up wonderfully.
 David stepped out into the moonlit 1 garden and found Alice in the shadow of tree. She held out both hands | to, him impulsively. Oh" she said, "I feel so queer; mo-" she added quickly, q shall not faint, never do. but I can hardly stand and I feel afraid" Every word was distinct in David"s memory. Again he could see her raise her sweet eyes to his. Don't leave me for moment" she whispered. and swaYed little toward him.
 And David had forgotten everything