The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-26
-:- OUR DAILY SHORT STORY

him: it had. undergone a vague. but very gracious transformation.
 chanEed?' repeated she, with a curious tenderness. I've tried to change Trisd--do you understand? Since last Winter, when we agreed to separate. I've been trying--so hard, Maverick-to take control of my own stunted nature, torn 1t where 1t
 Dear broke in Oliver with a bitter humility. we were both to blame both. do you hear7 And I'm afraid you've been cleverer than I if you've unsnarled things where they failed to I'm afraid--''
 Under her black lashes the woman smiled at him with reverence he might have translated Chad he been hi&h- -plumed,l as some loyal acquies- cense in his former state. What Oliver felt now, however. was curiousity in his young wife,s not In himself. So--
 Tell me, he burst forth, what has changed you so7"
 She rolled up her absurd little hand kerchief into Ntriiig. and, throwing il over her knee, pulled it unconsciousiy by both ends, gazing steadfastly intu the blue distance above Olivers head
 T don't know whether I ought to tell you" she began.
 Oliver recalled that delicious little habit she used to have of tempting the Fates shyiy; of hesitating when she meant to be right-down outrageous.
 'iOf course, you ought" he urged You always do in the end, you know, and 1t will save time Under her playfulness he had allowed himself to grow, light-hearted.
 Well, them" she began, but her voice trailed off vaguely. Her cheeks took on pinker bloom; she forgot the handkerchief and finished her thought with a mature dignity that became her like the 'armor of her sex:
 "Ah! Our boy Oliver broke off abruptly, for something had clutched him by the throat
 The woman hastily brushed her tears away and went on practically;
 You'd be proud or him. Maverick such strong, agile limbs-and he has the will of little savage"
 Let me see" Oliver said brusquely, stooping over the platforms edge and plucking buttercup stalk that had ambitiousiy grown up from the gravel he must be eleven months now"
 Yes, he was five when--when you last saw him" She kept her eyes de- liberately fixed upon the high railroad trestles In the blue distance. "Did you know, he's been such a help to me. I've told him all the things wanted to tell you; told him that his mother had been vain, silly, girlish cyrant who. com ing straight from the convent. wanted to have everything this world had to give-money. fame. position-all those things that are bought in the market place-Gnd had wanted to buy them with his fathers conscience-"
 Over the trestIes the smoke of the incoming train was seen. There was the usual hustle and running to and fro on the platform. seizing of hand bags. carting of trunks. and so on whatever swift. mutual, soul-revela- tons Oliver and his wife had been on the point of making dissolved Into nothingness, jared by the prosalc commotion of traffic. It was a pity too; for with Eleanor.s iast words her face had melted into a plaint sweet ness; her exquisite mouth had taken on sudden quivering iitfe curves; she had seemed about to say, Ambition selfishness, the cruelty of pride all these things have gone, Maverick"
 She didn't say that, however. In- stead, she rose from the wooden ster which her husband had dusted for her I'm glad you found me changed" she said merely. Something in the mans honest soul overloaded.
 T, tool, too, Eleanor. will ehange. cried he.
 An, you've no need to-, answered she. meeting honesty with honesty You've been growing like the trees yonder"-she nodded in the direction of the woodland-"for' yeaFs-straight and strong. I had 70 be pruned. l had"
 The trains screeching whistle dead ened her words. It came rushing I'll and stopped. Oliver still held EIeanor's tiny suit case and umbrella in his hand. There was a confused sound oi greeting to the passengers who had alighted. and the elamor of hotel run ners and bus drivers.
 Now. then, step lively" cried .Ae brakeman. as the last ch-bundlec old woman descended. allowing the i'm patient travelling man to climb aboard Oliver and his wife were the last of the crowd.
 He helped her aboard, found her chair for her in the parior car. then turned miserauiy to meet her eyes.
 All aboardw came the strident voice of the conductor The the train began to move impsreeptiely.
 "Good-by." cried oliver, battling with strong emotion but conscious or