The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-10-31
--:- OUR DAILY SHORT STORY

umph would be aie--asad might -b,. hers when his poll .al enemies wer. confounded. But her lips were sealed. Indeed, she had already said nor than she had a right to say. shs stood silent glowing an exultant light in her dark eyes.
 Sally. sally!". shs cried, in d sort of desperation. s% 1 To be an object of hatred in pcwe-. full but distant political senemiex is one thing; to be disiiked by- a clever , influential woman near at hand is l seemed to suffer the first without any | obvious or serious inconvenience; the l second brought him face to face with an unexpected catastrophe. Mrs. Belden was an active and in- fiuential member of the Country Club. and it happened that when tn. exclusive body made out it's list of invitations for the annual Halloween dance the illustrious narpe of the Count de Castro was emitted. When it finally dawned on that gen . tleman that the omission had been in- 1 tentionaf, he followed the example of fascuity of less distinguished line age and in the solititude of his apart ment heaped choice epithe.s upon ths club. its members in general and Mrs. Belden in particular. For, with un erring facility. he at once selected her as the prime factor n lis social eclipse. Y
 The Frenc 1man was quick to real ize that the situation bristled with unexpected dihiculties. A marriage with the sieader, dark-eyed heiress did not seem tle simple step of a few days before Mrs. Belden was might suspect something wrong She might even decline to believe his un. supported assertions. Today. tho heiress was his. TomYrow she might not be. It behooved him t2 act quickly.
 With diplomatic agility. developed no doubt by much skirmishing with the foes of France he sat down at his desk aud penoed a note: then, leaning back in his chair, surveyed his work with admiration.
 They do not consider what they are doing. It is unjust--it is un- fair!" declared Sally, ippetuopsly. She had met the Count in a secluded cor ner of her sisters garden. as his note desired. and now her tense. slight figure drawn to its fullest height, re- eyes
 They shall apologize to you" she insisted. They shall be mada to re cognize the dignity of your position"
 The Frenchman moved restlessly.
 Tt is nothing" he protested. Tt is not for me to regret the fete of Halloween. It is when think of my of Miss Worthington that am desc lated "
 You pay me a poor compliment. she said. smiling gently.
 No, my friend, it is not that doubt It Is that if you repent yourself ot your kindness to me. l lose every thing. She believes only evil of ma. that Mrs. Belden."
 And you fear that I. too, may be- lieve evil of your"
 He made a forlorn movement of ac- ouicsence. .
 T shall not do that" said she sim ply. T believe in you in spite of ev- rything-everybody."
 "My friend" he exclaimed. seizing re sim hand and dramati ally press ing it to his lips. His fervor was not assumed. In that slim hand lay his one chance to escape from the demon that night and day pursued him: that most relentless of all dcmons-Pover- ty
 It was his only chance. and with the cec,ness of the gambler he to0k 1t. moving cautiously. sklilfuily. deliber- ately. unfolding his plans with keen eyes that never left her sensitive, changing face. And she listened, idly drawing long stemmed flower back and forth between her slim fingers: lis tened while the yellow sunshine of the golden Autumn afternoon enveioped her and a bed of chrysan themuras bloomed in riotous. shaggy confusion at her feet. And as she listened she began to understand and her fingers pulled nervously at the shaggy golden petals in her lap.