The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-16
THE PLIGHTED TR0TH.
S7 WI 75e' stf ! 2 -7 -7 By Nellie Gravey Gilmore.

By Nellie Gravey Gilmore. (Copright. 1906 by Daily Story Pub. Co.)
 Where the road bent. Netta select ed tempting tuft of grass and seated herself upon it, depositing her numer- ous small packages on the plat of green beside her The great sun hat. scarlet with peoples. she had been wearing all day, fell back at a toss of her head and she clasped both hands over one knee.
 For a long time she sat silent. medi tative. weary with the days shopping, yet happy as the smiles that crossed and recrossed and something fingered about her fresh young face.
 Dusk shadows presently began to choke away the pretty pink haze and paint a sober coat over the brilliant september foliage The musical tim kle of cowbells and the calves answer ing bleat mingled faintly in the dis tanee and reminded Netta that it was getting late. With 6 little half-sigh of regret she started to her feet. then slipped back again swiftly, as the familiar chatter of a horses hoofs sounded less than fifty feet away.
 Flashes of scarlet quivered in her cheeks as Ericson rounded the bend and drew rein.
 "Alone?" he asked, dismounting.
 She nodded and set to work col Ieoting her packages with sudden un- concern.
 Tt isn't safe for young ladies to be abroad at this hour remarked he, somewhat gravely.
 Oh, but I'm different" answered Netta, with a defiant toss of her head
 Ericson did not speak at once. Her words, insignificant enough in their own import, had struck a queer chord within him that caused him to draw a quick breath and shut his teeth hard to keep back the thoughts that fought for utterance.
 T know that you are-very differ- ent," he said. after a while.
 The girl looked up with swift question in her eyes. surpriseU out of her usual reserve by the odd note in his voice.
 He stood staring down at her fo. a moment, his hands deep in his trous CTS pockets, then he dropped abrupt ly to the grass beside her and com menced in a mechanical little fashion to toy with the long, slender blades.
 "There's something I want to tell you-must tell you, he said, somewhat unsteady, his eyes fastened to the blur of tree tops in the distance.
 Netta caught her breath quickly and her lashes ..ickered. For the moment a sort OI pdHlC poSsSsseu Hel to Jump up and run as fast as she could. but the reaction of a deeper joy than any she had yet known, held Ter motionless.
 Well ?''she queried, smiling, her voice low to hide it's trembling.
 T think I ought to tell you" he re piled soberly, that I am going to be married-soon."
 For a full minute the girl did not take her eyes from his face; the smile that a little while ago had leaped to her lips, froze to sudden bitterness.
 Why do you think that you ought to tell me-this?" she faltered. with a terrible effort at control.
 T owe it to you, I think" he re- sponded slowly, because of the friend ship that has existed between us.
 Netta did not speak. For long time she sat staring in dull way at the small, brown hands that had lnVolun- tally clenched themselves in her lap. After a while she glanced up with dry, bright eyes. and held out her fingers. of course, I wish you all possible hap piness," she said, you know that. Ia better be going home now, she added, in a different tone, Tt is almost dark.
 Ericson assisted her to rise, and for a second afterward, stood looking down into her face as he had hundred times before; thought his eyes trembled something she dare not understand.
 The instant passed, and then the worId--the whole world outside those two-seemed to slip and vanish, and Netta lay sobbing in his arms.
 T can never give you up.' he cried, brokenly, not if a thousand vows and promises stood between!'
 The girl drew herself sharply from