The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-30
There was none of the holiday spirit Tn

There was none of the holiday spirit Tn her heart. -,.. once past the revolving doors she was caught up inf the crowd and car ried along in the human tide. At the corner they struck a cross current ol huins nity that forced her into niche between two hugo pillars. Here she was discovered by a crowd ef rolltek~ CTS who with half drunken good h.upior r insisted that she join stheir partyss . Iw
 She shranls back ntu 2theo sshadaNs but her tormentors would not be, baIk ed of their prey and pressed torwaru' One of them laid his hand upon her arm and with a frightened cry sshe sought to wrench herself free burst of rude laughter that greeted her er- fort was stopped short as brawny arm reached over and caught the bullys collar, There was quick exchange or blows and then with last shout they were swallowed up in the crowd. kuth looked up to thank her protector. and encountered Jefferson Berrlen's gaze.
 i've found you" he cried exultingly. T knew that 1 should. l had q pre- sentiment that if I came down here l l should find you" 't
 q was detained at the ofice.'' shs explained. T was going home"
 "Alone," he cried hidignantly. Why didn't your husband came for youe"
 My husband?'. she laughed Where did you get that information?' First hand. I supposed" he said At least I had a letter from you in which you explaine that you were tired of waiting andN had married Bronson Deering,' ~ .'-' ss '.r
 T never even heard of such per | son." she denied. ...
 Here 1t is." he said. as he reached into his pocket and drew out a wallet He placed q letter in her hand, The | folds were scanned by friction, but in the light from the interior of the build ing she could make out it's contents. That looks like my handwriting, she said. when she had done. but 1 never wrote any such letter. When did you go to Wyoming?" she added as she studied the envelope and noted that the letter had been forwarded from his California adress. ,,-
 T wrote you at the time" he ex- plained in surprise. 'Jim Bolan took it to town with him and mailed 1t there. It was shortly after got out there. | The company changed and 1 went over to Wyoming to prospect"
 Did you meet your wife there or after you went ts Arizonia2' she asked.
 Well, that's a good one" he laugh ed. Who told Sou that was mar ried?"
 You wrote that you were tired Of hard work and that you had married half-breed woman who had a mine. "
 Did the letter come from ArizonaT' he asked.
 "No. it came from San Herandez. 1 You explained that you were going to l Arizona the next week."
 When did thls happen" he cried. ! Do you remember the date?'
 Tt was some time in February" she explained. q got the latter on St Valentines day"
 That was a pretty sort of valentine, ," he commented. See here. Ruth, did Jim Bolan ever ask you to marry him?
 Twice" she said. "onre beI0re you went away and again when he was on here last Summer ".. -
 T think l can see how 1t was' ne said quietly. "Jim was bookkeeper at the mine and made up the mall Hn must have forged my letter to you and when he received one of yours arter ! left. he steamed open the flap, inserted a forgery and forwarded it to me.
 He knew us well enough to feel cer- tain that we should not write each Oth' CT and compare notes, and he thought
 he had disposed of me and would be able to gain your consent to marriage to him"