The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-24
q Commerce.

ing picture of graceful refinement.
 Maude was talking to a commonpiaoS old lady about the ravagee of infiu-
 enza. There were two young fellows near her; suddenly she heard one of them make a remark which seemed to , stun her and stop the beating of her heart.
 Poor Jim Broughton got a bad 50 I hear His horse threw him in the park. I believe"
 Yes; served him right He had no business to ride such a fidgety mare" Maude found herself praying that she
 might not faint or make scene; for this news hurt her terribly. Poor mani Poor. dear manl
 After he had got his answer that wintry afternoon he had systematically kept away from her; she never met him now at peoples houses, and she never thought she would have missed him so. And now, perhaps, he was go- ing to die. The young man who had spoken of Jim's fall took her in to din- Ter.
 'Is MT. Broughton badly hurtT' she asked him. in a voice she tried to keep steady.
 "They don't know yet: he was half stunned when picked up; the doctor said probably his collar bone was brok-
 en and somo ribs. but all that won't
 matter. as long as his back isn't in-
 jurcd."
 DO you think his back may be n.
 jured?"
 There was a little catch in her voice.
 which for the life Of her she could not
 help. The young fellow glanced quick
 " at her. Was this girl in love with
 Jim Broughton7 He knew Jim was
 general favorite with man, woman and child, but he could not conceive the
 idea of anybody being In love wish him"
 T don't know. sdiss BrierIey; he may have only wrenched some sinews--you
 can never tell: he has been riding like a madman the last few weeks. I can'e
 think what has come Into him" Maude felt she must do something or burst out crying, so she talked hard and fast about the Meredithss. daI1ce. talked the subject to death. Discussed floors and how to make them slippery; she complained that the music had
 been too far away, and then said she liked 1t. far. away; said Mrs, Meredith
 was the best hostess in the world. and then found herself agreeing heartily
 with her neighbor when he sald she never introduced a soul; in fact, her conversS sion was SO odd. that the young man told the other young man that he thought shs was rather ''dottys" Next EnorninR her father went in to inquire for him; he drove Maude in with him. Maude never before or af- rewards prayed with such fervor as
 she did that morning.
 When her fathsr came out and made his report her heart was flooded with joy; as if in sympathy. the sun sud- denly beamed out bravely, and bird hard by began to sing like a mad thing. at least so Maude declares Jim Broughton says he knows there couldn't have been a bird within mile Jim BrouEhton was not going to die. His collar hone was broken. and he was one big bruise. but a few weeks of laying up would. the doctor said. put everything right.
 By that evenings post the poor fei- low. who had been eating his brave heart out in silence for so many weeks past received a little note which put him in a state of foolish delight.
 AS soon as the doctor allows you"
 it ran, you must ask two of us to tea
 with you; I think, perhaps. should recommend Lucy IS being the most restful, but I am Boiag to be one of then!"