La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1906-09-08
A CONFIRMED OLD MAID.
.hA4 couPEa.


oh! l have no idea OF his present
Whereabouts haven't set eyes on him
1or years He was a very handsome
boy, but I expect he is a gray-naired
ed bore by this time know she
Keeps his photograph. and looGs at II
every night Oh! my dear Miss Brent
vood. how due dos We we're Just ad-
airing your beautiful cat. Quite unique
specimen. I am sure,"
Its you Who are the unique speci-
zen" hissed Montmorency- Don't
touch me. you make me sick." hs add
Cd sharply. every hair bristling with
antagonism as a delicately gloved hand
attempted to stroke his ears
The asriing Decent like strangers.
does he?" cooed Mrs. Otway Lashing-
ton
NO. ne doesn't-when they are any
thing like you." said Montmorency.
and stAiked majesticaily to the door.
He had not acquired the ethics OF soci-
ETY., and considered his candor worthy
Of all commendation- He was also
much excited by the news that he had
Just heard. and decided that the air on
the roof would be soothing and con
ducive to thought. Mrs. Brasher's story
vas as new to him as to Mrs. O,vay
Lashington. and threw light on many
circumstances which had hitherto ruz-
lled him.
He had noticed that every night siiss
Brentwood unlocked one OF the draw
srs OF a small inlaid cabinet In her
He had watched the performance with
scant interest, for It had no dehnite re-
suit like the turning out of lamp or
the ringing OF bell, and he had come
to look UPON 1t as mere idle naoit on
the part OF his mistress. Sometimes
also. In the twilight. he had seeh hef
take from the same drawer packet
of old. faded letters and hold them
tight in her white hands. He Mad
been surprised that she had never un-
tied the ribbon which bound them. the
simple reason that she knew the con-
tents by heart not occurring to him.
(. That night. when Miss brentwood
took out the photograph as usual.
Montmorency sprang on the back OF
the sofa where she was sitting and
looked at the picture over her shoul-
der II was the portrait Of young
nan. whose 6rm mouth WAS only par
tially concealed by an incipient mus
tache Montmorency studied the face
carefully. but could not detect the good
looks to which Mrs. Brasher had re-
ferred. When Miss brentwood rose to
replace the photograph Montmorency
Was industriously washing his already
opOtless waistcoat. 1t was his first
step along the tortuous pathway Of de-
eepeion.
Bat II he had 80 far forgotten him
self as to yield on the spur OF the mo-
ment to . vulgar curiosity. 1t was not
likely that he was going to publicly
acknowledge the fact.
One afternoon Miss Brentwood and
MOutmorency sat together in the Dou-
dOir. II was early spring. and outside
In the square the trees were begin
Mag to bud The New York spar
rows were discussing important do
nestle matters loudly among the
branches, their sooty little forms con-
trasting oddly with the ethereal back
ground. Montmorency watched them
from the window-seat with the air OF
Q policeman who is told to keep an
ere ON suspicious characters. 1t was
evident that he considered them .
hot ON the landscape.
Allss Brentwood presently came to
the window, aud followed the direction
Of Aontmorency's green eyes.
80 spr:ng has come again. Monty
- said, stroking his soft head. Look
at that tree-isn't 1t lovely? Much
400 pretty for New York. I wonder if
u trees are out in the old garien--y''
Miss Brentwood seemed to be saz-
ing through the trees At something
witch Mcrtmorency could not see: her
voScs .traiied away into silence and
thsy both gave = start at the prosaid
soual OF the front door bell.
''visitors, Monty" said Miss Brent
WOOD. trine wearily. "and I an not
il tie mood for them. You lucky little
cat! you can ny II you want to. and
can't"
why ON earth do you let them in IL
you dOu't want to see them?" asked
loDatmoreEcy's eyes.
-Duty, Montmorency." said Miss
Brentwood. To think you don't even
kuDW what that means" Aad tneu the
dsse Opsaed and the servant announced
~. D0srington!"
16oatmorency turned sharply and
saW Z tail man with . bronsed, deeply
lins1 fnes and iron-gray hair and mus
tseoe. He advsnesd quickly towards
M brentwood
: -11srsaret,- ~ said simply. my
cAtnoP n aeeA!"
Il vss the stTaasest greeting lsoat-
nnsuney had evef hoard. He hooked
guaekiy ffoo TIE visitor TO Miss Brsat-
vgoa ne had turned very white an1|
yUuvUa . little where she stood, 80
~ aasvs@ Was oaly oss voea-