The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1906-09-26
) OUR DAILY SHORT STORY

steadying himself with the reins as
best he might 1t was more than ag-
gravating-he had the fastest horse
on the road. and had counted on CIV
ing gust to everything else there. no
less than ON having the prettiest face
In the country at his side. Now he
drove at almost a foot-pace. Partly
because of the added weight, but
much more because ne wanted to keep
away from the sight of his acquaint-
ances.
Naturally conversation ianguished.
For while Mrs. Hicks kept up a
sprightly chatter, but after a mile or
two, even she fell silent. Amelia sat
with clenched hands. ready to cry be.
tween anger ana modification. or
course Billy would be angry--he had
right to be. Not with her, to be
sure-but then how could she expect
him to Discriminate? Her mother, she
knew well. had the name of being
proud and schemer. There would be
plenty Of folks to tell Billy. IL he
did not think OF It himself, that the
whole thing had been planned be-
tween mother and daughter, on pur-
pose to make him ridiculous.
Being self-made he was keenly sem
sitive- Unless she could make him un-
derstand her innocence she had lost
MIN. And she did not want to lose
him-she loved every fibre of his six
foot rudy LONELINESS as she hated
the oily lankiness of Brother Gillian.
Her heart leaped when Gillian drew
up alongside the buggy and said, try
ing to speak Jocularly: why. Batson,
don't you know there are laws against
monopoly? Here I'm driving to town
without soul to bear me company,
Divide. man!-dividei know it's hard
TO choose-but you must give me a
| passenger"
Il have to mind the preacher, don't
I. Mrs. HicksT Billy asked over his
shoulder. making way for her and
checking his horse he spoke. He
of course could not ehoose-but she
must understand that she was In the
way.
| But Mrs. Hicks sat tight, giggling
and saying airly: Indeed you do, Mist
Batson! Cut the wheels the least mite
more-then Amelia can step across--no
need In the world of your gettin' out
to help her--and Brother Gillian can
meet US at the Matnewses-their yara
Is such a good place to see the parade. !"
There must have been fate In tt
else Amelia would have refused But
some power beyond herself compelled
her to obedience. In a wink almost
she was whirling forward beside the
man she hated. Billy glared after
|
pretense of civil talk to the woman
beside him. His heart was so sore,
his mind so angry, ~ was almost a
| miracle that he did not drive into or
over somebody. But by good hap he
got safe to his journeys end and
found himself a little later with Mrs
Hicks at his elbow. wedged into the
throng which lined the street on
either, side.
Amelia and the minister were Just
across the way. Neither couple had
had time to reach the Mathews ha-
ven The parade was already moving
when they came to town, so they had
made what shift and haste they might.
1t was piteous parade, something
tawdry throughout. and in spots dusty
and threadbare. But the lady riders
mad superb horses and sat them wan-
derfully. Especially Sandra Queen of
Amazons, who IN green and gold lace
blew kisses right ana left from hef
| finger tips. the while making hes.
milk white Arab keep time with the
band blaring ahead.
Sandra was slight and round, with
everywhere about her the suggestion
OF supple strength. She carried a crop
to flourish what time she was not
throwing kisses. Every man along
the line uncovered to her, and here or
there she got hand-clapping and
cheers.
AS she drew near Amelia's stand.
Brother Gillian said uneasily: You
won't mind if 1 leave you?-the Others
are so near. And 1t has Just occurred
to me that / ought not to be here Not
that there Is any harm in it-but we
must avoid the very appearance OF
evil"
GO. If you cam" Amelia said duly.
| She was too angry to reel relief in
his absence.
Billy's face had told her things-all
she had been fearing Since he was
lost to her beyond question she had
mad wish that the world might end.
Gillian made a pace away, found the
human wall impenetrable, then turned
irresolutely again toward her
Thus he drew to himself Sandra's
Keen gaze. Those watching saw her
Jaw set, her eyes sparkle, her cheeks
whiten underneath their rouge-saw
her ride straight at the tail black
clad figure and lash It furiousIy, cry
ing high and shriI:
You thief! You robber-villian! You
murderer; You are murderer-the
money you stole from me might have
saved-our little child"
of all the brazen things! To quit a
circus and turn preacher" Mrs, Hicks
said a week later. But no wonder
he took us in-the deacons-and me
and everybody-such beautiful letters
as he had. Forged of course-and tina.
poor creature he left behinC playin'-
with the baby just buried-by char
ity too. Amelia, 1t makes me creep to
think how near you came to marrying
such scamp. He might a-done it If
II hadn't put my foot down that he
must wait till Christmas-when you'd
get your grandpa's legacy"
Ihat was what he wanted" Amelia
said. laughing
Amelia was too happy to resent her
mothers inconsistency -aRiIl.r a.