The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-14

were twisting consciously at the fall- en coils of coppery hair, just as-O, in the old days. he had seen that same turn of the white wrist score of | times! Anyway went the flood-gates of the past, and memories came pouring l in, leaving him stunned by its revela- tion.
 1 She was watching him with curious intentness, while her lips absently caressed the frail nodding bells in the bouquet. What was she saying? I've always loved hyacinths. In my old eastern home. we used to have sweet, old-fashioned flower-garden with cultivated ones in it, and" "Yes, yesl They grew in an oblong bed, along with the early bloodroots and heliotroper Was he mad? What was he saying? He felt her draw a step neared. through the breathless silence, felt her searching, widening to ward off her scrutiny. From her lips came soft sibilant breath.
 Gray! oh heavens" A wave of daredevil defiance swept over him
 "Your perception does you credit. my Tess" he bowed jauntily. The bravado was poorly simulated. Slowly she passed hand over her eyes as one who would dispel hor- rible nightmare.
 we all thought you deadw her voice sank to a bewiidered whisper. That accident in the Colorado mine you were reported among the mortally injured"
 For a brief space, they faced each other, she, braced defensively against the bench. white tragedy in her face, he, with arms folded eyeing her with the grim desperation Of one who looks upon that which is forever lost to him. once more her pale lips broke si- 1 lence.
 "Donna is dead. Gray. A few months after the-the-affair came to nght' and you had disappeared. She died up-
 "Naturaliy!" with bitter sarcasm. "The ruling passion IS strong Tn death! Tess, Tess, forgive me! l had no right to say that Poor Donna' poor girl! No wonder she reproaches me; broke her heart"
 You broke her heart" she cried 1 her voice sharpening with acutest pain. ''You broke all our hearts and left us to suffer! Oh, Gray. dray why did you do it7 Why didn't you tell us you needed money and let us help you inc stead of staining your good honest name with that dreadful thingT And then to run away from your shame! l To hidei COQ! W Hat CoW 1AoASV+ 1 "Stopl You know well Tess that Donna wouldn't have had her forger husband stay and face the conse- ouences for the world. What! Make her A convlct's wites And then sui. eide was preferable to her tears and | conplaints Don't mourn for me, Tess I'm not worth it. Civilization ha' been my ruin; 1t was better Tor me t' take to the wildsr' The hard veneer o uynieism covered a world of pain.
 "Better. This better! The life o q hunted man"
 She peered keenly into his eyes Something in their expression turned her heart sick with an apprehension O evil.
 don't tell me-you are In deeper thar ever! Gray, Cray" The last word wal a prayer, hopeless. but heartbroken.
 He laughed recklessiy.
 Dear Tess, l would never attempt | to hide the truth from your eyes. am in business, oh. yes, professional forger now, as 1t were. tremen' dous field of action. I assure you though somewhat risky, owing tc Uncle sam's little prejudice. Perhaps would like to see my whlskey still. chr he mocked, stepped to an inner door of the hut and flung it open with the sweeping grace of courier. l She shrank far from nm, her hahus tightly locked and her face vivid with suffering.
 The door banged. to- for he sudden ly felt an agony of penitence.
 "Tess, Tess! I'm brute, demon?
 he groaned God forgive my cruelty
 to YOU. o, Tess. all would have beer ldifferent-I mfghtn't we made such q
 mess of my miserable life if 1t had beer
 you instead of your cousin! She wal