The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-27
A CONFIRMED OLD MAID.
By M. M. co,,ner.

morency her cat lived together nea, Union Square.
 Montmorency was four years old and was striped all over like a tiger Wltn the exception of an immaculat- Whlte shirt front Montrnorency had his own particular chair and cushion m she drawing room and boudoir: this was Miss Brentwoods fancy, and Mont moreEcy good-naturedly humored her when man and woman set up house together certain amount of give-and- take is necessary, and this particular instance resembled many others in that the giving was monopolized br ono side
 It seemed to afford Miss Brentwood satisfaction to give Montmorency thick cream in dainty china saucers, and soft velvet cushions to lie upon, and consequently what could he do but gracefully accept the attentions? Mont- mofency was very fond of his mistress. ne had grown accustomed to her. as he had to his respective chairs and cush- ions, and not being without experience or women in general. he placed her en1~ phatically before any others of his ac- quaintance. He liked to see her grace ful hguro bending over her work, or the writing table. and to watch the cool white hands which were always busy over something
 Miss Margaret Brentwood was 4n. and confirmed old maid. so her friends and acquaintances declared, but tbA fact did no. appear to trouble her in the least. There was nothing old maidish In her appearance, and the sprinkling of gray in her dark hair on- ly lent an additional dignity to her face. Montmorency had never seri- ously considered whether his mistress might truthfullv be described as hand some or fascinating, but he knew that every detail of her presence, from the soft tones with which she addressed him. to .he delicate perfume she al- ways affected, all went to make up an exceedingly pleasant personality.
 Now. 1t so happened that one fine af~ ternoon two friends of Mlss Brent woods met on her doorstep, both pur- posing to honor that lady with a visit They were ushere1 into thS drawing room, where Montmorency was in sole possession. Miss Brentwood having only just returned homA, being still engaged in removing her wraps.
 Montmorencys figs. idea on recog- nizing the visitors was to rise and leave the room; hts second, shat he might 9rive some amusement if be remained. for ne had lonE ago made the discovery that the conversation of certain women was apt to become ex- tremely piquant.
 "She has very good taste, hasn't sheT' said Mrs. Otway I,ashibgto sending her glance comprehensIvely round the room through ner gold pince-neE.
 amounts to the sane thing" responds ed the other lady.
 Thought that was smart, didn't you?" murmurod Nontmorsncy, watcb- ing the speaker through his half-closed lids.
 odd she has never married--so well off as she is, tool" pursued Mrs. Ot- way Lashington.
 Well. don't koow bout its being odd" said Mrs. Brasher. pursing up her lips with much significance.
 why. vas there anyone? Oh! do tell me. dear Mrs. Brasher; she will be down in moment.
 "Of course you underJ.lnd 1t mus go no further!'
 Of course of courseT
 Looks for all the world as if she saw jug of cream" interpolat .d Mont morency with disgust.
 Well. when she was butte a girl one of old Tohu Dorringtons sons fell madly in love with her, and she witt hir1; but the old man. who was as mad ss natter even then. vowed that hi- son should marry rich. and wouldn't hear of an engagement between them Margaret Brentwood has always Lad plenty of pride. and she absolutely re- fused to marry young Darlington against his fathers wishes. and conse- quently they parted with the usual protestations of andying constancv, and I believe they have held no com munication with each other since She has kept her word, as you see"
 And he?"
 Unmarried. too! Refreshingly TO- mantle, isn't it?"
 Surprisingly so. And where is MT. Darlington low?"
 "Oh! have no Idea of his present whereabouts. I haven't set eyes on hlIn for years He was a very handsome boy, but I expect he is a gray-haired old bore by this time. I know she keeps his photograph. and looks at it every night Ohl my dear Miss Brent wood how due do? We were just ad- miring your beautiful cat. Quite unique | specimen. I a msurer
 It's you who ara the unique speci- l men," h!ssed Montmorency. Don't | touch me; you make me sick!" he add | ed sharply, every hair bristling with | antagonism as dslicately gloved hand | attempted to stroke his ears.
 The darling doesn't like strangers | does her cooed Mrs. Otway Lashlns- ton.
 NO. he doesn't-when they are any thing like vou." said Montmorency, ! and stalked matestically to the door l He had rot acquired the ethics of soci- l ety, and considered his candor worthy | Of all comnendatioa. 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 | was as new to him as to Mrs. OtwAy | Washington, and threw light on many | circumstances which had hitherto pug gled him
 He had noticed that every night Miss 1 Brentwood unlock ed one of the draw l CTS O. a small inlaid cabinet in her | boudoir and took out photograph. He | had watched the performance with | scant interest. for 1t had no definite re- 1 suit like the turning out of a lamp CT the ringing of a bell, and he had come | 10 look upon 1t as a mere idle habit on tho part of his mistress. Some'ime@ also n the twilight. he had seen he~ take from she same drawer a packet ] of old, faded letters and hold them l