The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-25
teII you such iool lAIngsr. he blurtsd

tell you such fool things." he blurted out uneasily.
 You need tell me nothing unies. you like, boy She used the little narns unconsciously. You know you are no, bound to me in the slightest way Across the mans face sprang a lool, Of relief. to give way to one of adn1i. ration. There isn't another woman { like you in the world, Meg!' he de, clared tenderly. T am not half good enough for you She smiled at the olt reason--the reason that always doe, duty when a man has tired of a woman and wishes to be gentle about ths matter
 When are you to be marriedgr H, flushed hotly
 She Is very lonely. and she is only to-"
 sent?" Her tone was cold. .rRy all means. let 1t be at once Delay nc
 He looked at her compassionateiy. T knew t was going to be hard on you. ne said remorsefully. T am a brute Meg. I hated to tell you worse than
 You are very considerate.' 1t was not quite sheer, though he winced at the tone
 You will be--we must always be the best of friends, Meg he half question ed. She smiled bitterly, The man was rather dense. as men are apt to be when they have ceased to love a wo- ness.
 Friends? Why. of course; we could not be less, could wei"
 'Anc you will come to see her and visit us and be quite the same?" There was a note of anxiety in the mans voice that touched her. He still cared for her in a way--but such a way. She wanted nothing at all--nothing, unless she could have all. She was that sort.
 T can't promise" she said quietly, flor l am going away. I had meant to tell you before, but I. too, hated to hurt you The sarcasm was lost on him. He was silent. He knew suddenly that 1t was the best way--the only way and he knew that 1t was decision of the hour.
 We have been such chums-such comradesr his voice broke trifie 1t is hard to say good bye"
 Yes, 1t is hard" she assented grave ly. but without spirit. There was a long pause.
 May I kiss you once more?' he asked haltingly She looked at him long and searehingly. He had left her but the week before, with kisses of simulated passion on his lips, while the girl--the little. lonely. pretty girl waited for the genuine ones
 70. you men, you menr' she ex- claimed with sudden passion, as she looked deep Into his eyes with bitter ness of soul. You take all we have to give-all-and still-' there was a sob in liner throat--"it's a little game to you" her voice was steady once more. "A little game that you play to the end-and the end is whenever the fancy dies-that Is allp He start ed miserably to explain
 Never mind." she smiled again. wearily "it's all right. boyn .She tossed back her hair with tired ges- ture. He approached nearer and held out his hand. May r." he started to ask.
 She caught him up with passionate intensity, NO, you may not! Do you think I would have the earesses that belonged to another? I am not that sort. You are free to go to her-it is all right I can say no more O, go, go. for merey's sake. goi" She stood drawn to her full height, superb, queenly in her womanly dignity. He hesitated yet for moment. looking helplessly into her face that had lived In his consciousness for three short yes and happy years-then he turned silently and left the room. closing the door behind him.
 And because 1t Is the part of woman to renounce nobly what she has loved too we'll rather than wisely, as the world demands; because 1t Is Natures decree of punishment for the defiance of standard laws; because it is fnevita- bly the last of joy as far as the woman is concerned, she threw her arms out In a gesture of absolute surrender--of awful despair-7and bowed her head up- on them in silence. alone with the grim ending of all her hopes