The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-14

heavily, and he was reioiced at the thought that none of the villagers would be on the street in such storm. Between midnight and 1 o'clock the flames would start. When the alarm was given people could only turn out and look on with folded arms French went to bed at the usual hour. He left nothing to chance. He lay there hour after hour thinking scheming and planning. It was close upon mid night when his other self came to the rescue. The two personalities debated and argued and fought. The one self contended and the other protested.
 After quarter of an hour the mer- chant arose and hurriedly began to ! dress. He was pale-faced and trem- bling and frightened. He felt himself criminal and branded before the world. Bankruptcy might come--h,i might be forced to most menial employ ment--the Widow Allen might triumph and he might lose the one he had learned to love. but he would save the store.
 Z The wind was blowing a gale and the rain coming in sheets when he stepped from the door and ran through the mud and storm to the store. Not even a dog was in sight. As he ran he prayed that he might not be too late. With shaking hands he inserted the key in the door and pushed 1t open There was no smell of smoke Striking match, he made his way to the closet The candle had been blown out hours ago. It had not burned half an inch. With a new fear at his heart tho man turned away and lighted a lamp and leaned on the counter to think. He heard the rustic of garments and light footsteps. and Miss warder came out of the darkness and stsod before him and said:
 "Mr French, I blew the candle out a long, long time ago"
 "You-you found and blew it outr he gasped.
 "Yes. and I have been waiting for you to come"
 'T was going to burn the store for the insurance" he said, after a long si- fence.
 Yes"
 thirty days and save myself from bank ruptcy."
 q know"
 ''Rut I couldn't do 1t, thought 1 could-I meant to; but I came here to blow out the candle and save the store. l am a ruined man. but am not criminal except in intent" T knew you would come" said tbs | girl, with tears In her voice. Tt is hard to face ruin, but it is harder to face conscience. Yesterday a lawyer came to see mother. He told her sht was one of the heirs to large estate He brought papers for her to sign, and within month she will have twenty thousand dollars"
 "Well?" auerIed French, as he wiped his brow and looked around the store
 'T--thought-thoush
 You swwnt to give me notice ana leave yoar place at the end of the week. You will go. of course. but 1 hope you will remember that I came back to save the store wanted the insurance money. but my conscience wouldn't let me be criminal" T thought that if you wanted to take in a partner"
 But where can I find one?'
 If you--you wanted to take in a partner and pay up the notes and be clear of that woman. mother would give me the money. and
 He saw her to her home through the storm and darkness, and he did not realize that the wind blew or the rain fell or that he had to pick his steps. He realized only that he held her hand and that he had been saved from his other self. His sign reads George French" but there is a silent partner with him and behind him and daily adding to his happiness.