The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-17
THE OTHER WOMAN.
Nv T. ". Hansheyv.

. fcopyright. l906 by Joseph B. BoWies-) The firelight struck her where she stood and made a white silhouette or her against the gloom of the purple curtains.
 She was in white tonight--snow- unspottcd even by the violets, the one lingering symbol of her widowhood which she usually wore.
 She heard the sound of bis footstep before his hand touched the door-beli-- she knew it so well she could have told it amongst a hundred--and taking ur the bunch of white lilacs lying upon the table beside her. smeit 1t and then resolutely lifted the window and Hung 1t out into the darkness.
 Tt Is the last" she said; it must be the last Berrian is not the kind of man to relish that sort of thing. Be- sides. there had to be an end some time"
 She closed the window and stood waiting. and. presently, the door opened. a servant spoke, and the man came into the warm, fireiit darkness.
 "oh, are you there. Bella?' he said. as he caught sight of her and came forward with hand outstretched and face aglow. How we'll you are look ing tonight! That white frock is dream And, I say. By love! you've actually taken of the last scrap or mourning"
 r Yes" she said averting her face a trffle and toying with the ornaments on the mantelpiece. Jack has been dead eighteen months and---ft is time. Besides, couldn't very well wear mourning this night of all others.
 'Ts that meant for a compliment to me?' he asked with laugh. Tt cant be meant for one to Mrs. FarringaS' for vn,,sxa haap tn half n dozen dances of hers without abandoning your vio' lets. and tonight's dance isn't going to be anything grander than usual
 "Jimr' said she. in a curiousiy re- strained voice.
 "Yes?"
 Tt may as we'll be said first as last I'm not going with you to Mrs. Far ringay's dance tonight.
 He rose from his chair and looked at her across the firelit room--a swift look, suddenly serious look-nts brows contracted and his lips curied under the screen of his mustache
 You are not going to Mrs. Farrin- gays dancer"
 T didn't say that (you can see that I am dressed for it): I said l anu nor going with youi
 Not going with me?--with me?'
 Don't look so tragical, Jim; it's nothing against you personally--how could it be? We have been friends and comrades ever since we were boy and girl together. It's because-well you may as we'll know 1t at once and be done with it! I'm going to be married married again. Jim, and he-the one especial he-claims the privilege of escortlng me tonight.
 He stood like a thing of stone and looked at her.
 And you mean to break with me now?-Iike this?" he said at last.
 Break with you?'-she lifted her cheek from her hand. and her neck stiffened.
 Break with you" she repeated T don't like that term. What have to break with you? To what did you think our friendship could lead If not one day to this?'
 "Bella"'
 stop where you sre' What have you thought of me? What are you now leading me to think of you? How could there be any other end than this? Deferred it might have beenr hut come it must-some day-when you are what you are and I respect myself You have a wife. It is late days, perhaps. for either of us to re- member that, but 1t it true. neverthe- less"
 We won't talk about that" he said, biting his words off short. We will only talk about this--this thing you are doing--and are going to do. Who is the man? Do I know him."
 You ought to, Lord Berrian.'
 Then 1t is for the simple sake of a title"
 You have no right to ask what f Is for" she interrupted. T am free to ad- init that my own pleasure has guided my actions always she went on. after a moment. Tt may be a selfish adnis- sion. but at least it has the merit of being the truth I consulted my own wishes when l married Jack Armitage: I shall consult my own wishes when ] marry Lord Berrian."
 And z had been q free man.
 She looked him straight in the eyes and her shoulder lifted and fell.
 T should marry Lord Berrian." she said, simply. Then. as the man turned and walked towards the door. Give my love to Amy. Jim" she called after him. 'And--yes. tell her I am sorry and that l really didn't think"
 The man came slowly up the stairs and the woman, hearing him. moved not a hairs breadth: simply went