The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-11-30
: OUR DAILY SHORT STORY


 guilty of vulgar practical joke like fhisl &
 She jerIxed the paper off her cyps- writer and tore It inIo bits. Then slis stoppeu the graphophone and changed the cylinder for another. If sAr. Mai- Ions letters are no. ali written toaay tt'n his own fault" she thought hotiy. with a fealiug of joy that sine c0uIo punish him thns.
 But dull ache that would mol. cease renamed in her heart. though siae toId herself over and over again that tue, fellow was a cad and bO0r and she despised herself for ever taking him for a gentleman. Her pillow that night was wet with some bitter tears, is she tossed sleepisssly on Ehe nay- row boarding house bed. It ts hard to give up Ideals when one Is only twenty-two,
 The same cylinder was frequently used more than once. for the surface other impression, so No. 5 was brought In next morning by Dick. and though Mabel instinctively dreaded 1t, she could not refuse to take 1t with the rest. Mallon's voice kbegan at once without introduction.
 T have offended you deeply. I know. You thought 1t was a practical joke kHRA being such boor, but indeed, meant every word. It wasn't joke. but dead earnest, for love you, love you, love yDu--his voice broke passionateiy. "Ahs forgive me-" he went on contrite. ly T am offending you again, but I can't be silent when the phone tempts me, and I dare not speak to you face to face, Can't you pity me at least7''
 AS she listened, the girls expression changed from indignation to surprise, then to doubt. Perhaps" she said un. certainly, The is speaking the truth after all. Perhaps I mlstudged him. uh, I hope haveF With the sudden realization of her own, feeling, she hid her face In her hands
 Next day. when sne came to Cylin- der No. 5, Ia the routine of correspon- dsnce, Mabel found herself hoping for the little personal message which should give assurance to her heart. Is came abruptly but decidedly:
 I'm going to stop this sort of thing. Mabel II snacks of cowardices and I want to be worthy of your respect. I mean to put my fate to touch at once, so expect ms this afferuoOn.a
 The girls heart sang it .paean of Joy aa her fingers flew over heavy budget of letters. When tho day was over she waited for his. coming till long past her usual time of leaving, and went home at last, sad and uncertain what 70 thinks,-s-- s-ss assssa skses as4ass.a4ss.ss--
 Say. you'il find some tali cussIn' on the tubes today, Miss Turstons" said Dick, as he brought her the cylinders next morning The boss chased Mr. Pierce off to Boston ln a hurry yes- teFday. then ripped round all de after noon cause he couldn't find some rush orAers the young teller put away. i tell you, ther'll be fur klyin', you bet, when he gIts back this mornin'."
 Dick wondered why Miss Thuraton beamed 60 on shlnIssafld presented him with arose she had just bought. lie rcould not, know that his news had put an end to . bitter heartache It was Saturdays a half holiday, and her only fear was that Pierce would not return in time.
 K The clerks had ail left and even the elevator had stopped running before she covered the instruments. ana sEili he had not come. Slowly she adjusted her hat before the mirror. There came a rush of eager, impatient let up the stairs. ,aid the door of the ofice was burst open. He dropped his sult ease. and came forward with outstratched hands. f5Il
 ''oh,'" he exclaimed. breathIess and relieved. T was afraid you would be gone.s She did not turn
 "You know, don't you. why didn't come yesterday? You Understand Eff was not my fault-tiat I hadn't time to send you e note even7" She bowed her head in silence. "Ah, but you still' think 1t was unmanly to talk through that old gfaphophone-forgive me. dear. didn't know what l was doing But I do love you, Mabel,R he would not be discouraged by her silence 'a love you and want you. Tall me, can you forgive me and love me a little in eturn9" W
 Then she wheeled about, her face radiant. her eyes shining like gray stars. fPierce, uearl" was ali she said. but he was satisfied. for he read has answer in her eyes.