The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-27

been surprised that she had never un' i tied the ribbon which bound them, the I simple reason that she knew the con- l tents by heart not occurring to him. That night. when Miss Brentwood I took out the photograph as usual I Montmorency sprang on the back of | the sofa where she was sitting and looked at the picture over her should CT. It was the portrait of young | man, whose firm mouth was only par tially concealed by an incipient mus tache Montmorencv 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 spotless waistcoat. It was his first step along the tortuous pathway of de- ception.
 But if he had so far forgotten him. self as to yield on the spur of the mo- ment to a vulgar curiosity 1t was not likely that he was going to publicly acknowledge the fact. One afternoon Miss Brentwood and Montmorency sat together in the bou- doir. It was early spring, and outside in the square the trees were begin ming to bud. The New York sparrowa were discussing important domestic matters loudly among the branches their sooty little forms contrasting oddly with the ethereal background. Montmorency watched them from the window-seat with the air of a police man who is told to keep an eye on sus- picious characters. It was evident that he considered them a blot on the land- scape.
 Miss Brentwood presently came to the window. and followed the direction of Montmorency's green eyes.
 80 spring has come again, Monty" she said, stroking his soft head. eLook at that tree-isn't 1t lovely? Much too pretty for New York. wonder if the trees are out in the old garden-?'
 Miss Brentwood seemed to be gaz- ing through the trees at something which Montmorency could not see; hey voice trailed away into silence ana they both gave a start at tho prosaic sound of the front door bell.
 Visitors, Monty" said Miss Brent wood, a trihe wearily. land am not in the mood for them. You lucky little catl you can fly if you want to, and can't"
 why on earth do you let them in if you don't want to see them?" asked Montmorency's eyes.
 Duty, Montmorency," said Miss Brentwood. ITO think you don't even know what that means" And then the QOOT OpeH6Q anu tue BcEVdHl dnHVuuCSQ MT. Dorrington"
 Montmorency turned sharply and saw tall man with bronzed, deeply lined face and iron-gray hair and mustache. He advanced quickly towards Miss Brentwood.
 Margaret" he saii simply, ''my fath- CT is deadp'
 It was the strangest greeting Mont morency had ever heard. He looked quickly from the visitor to Miss Brent wood. She had turned very white and swayed a little where she stood, and her answer was only one word
 Frank"
 T have come to claim your promise Margaret" said he huskily. Have you, changed. or are you mine still, after all these long years7"
 There was a pause. Montmorency could hear the clock ticking. a cip der fall from the fire. also the quick breathing of the two human beings. Then Miss Brentwood broke the si- lence.
 After all these long years" she re- peated dreamily. and stretched out her hands to her old lover. He took them in his own and drew her towards him.
 Montmorency, with true delicacy. turned his back and resumed his es- pionage On the sparrows.