The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-07
AN UNPRorESTED CHECK.
BY EDITH M. DoANr.


Copyrighted, 1907, by M. NJ Cunning
When all the legal formalities were
nded and the fortune that had been
robert Maxwell's was finally handed
yer to his beloved daughter Eliza
eth that. young lady regarded her
ew-found responsibilities in dismay
nd promptly proceeded to shift them
other and broader shoulders. James
Gordon had been her fathers secre-
airy and his shoulders were presuma-
" better fitted for the burden.
but you cannot hand me over your
ortune to carry, as IL 1t were a book
Z parcel" sad Gordon distractedly.
hough inexpressibly cheered by this
rofession of confidence. You do not
Understand"
"oh, yes 1 do" returned Miss Max
yell serenely. II understand per-
Chairman of the finance comn1it~
ee." suggested Gordon.
yes" said Miss Maxwell. will be
he committee"
well. shall do by best,y said Cor
on, laughing. But the committee
Eill please remember that it has GER
ain active duties"
II don't see why 1t should have any,"
he retorted. Practically you have
lready managed the estate for the
ast FIVE years. You were invaluable
father"
Perhaps I was" Gordon returned.
Though I don't remember 1t and he
ever mentioned it. However, 1 appre-
late your confidence and will serve
GU faithfully; but (gravely) what if
should make mistakes? Is 1t wise
intrust the handling of SO much
honey to one MANI"
Il should think 1t might depend a
God deal upon the man." said Miss
faxwell softly,
So Gordon fitted up an office in a
own-town skyscraper. where he sat
table strewn with papers and
ink-taped, legal-looking documents,
curing and writing late into the
lights; and Miss Maxwell, having ar
anged her financial affairs to her lik-
ng, annexed a meek, elderly relative
s chaperon and turned her attention
other difficulties.
Her first, chiefest and most immedi-
to difficulty was her cousin Tom
cornish.
1T isn't that l do not like you," she
ainstakingly explained for the hun
redth time. You know do. AS a
lister now T."
"oh drop it" retorted Tom ineIe-
antly.
"And anyhow 1 shall never marry %
so it's all up?"
II think I have been telling you that
or the past five minutes" said Miss
Maxwell impatientiy.
You know what l meant all along"
70 said sullenly. Some one has been
living you a resume of my vices"
your vices are nothing to me, nor
Four virtues, either. If you" The
Words died from her lips. For the
rst time in all their lives his arms
losed around her. Convulsively he
cid her to him, bending his head till
is lips met her soft, brown hair.
Betty, Live got to-teIl you--Pm
n no end of trouble--I nee you'll need
Four help--I--"
BY a single vehement effort Betty
eieased herself.
How dare you! How dare your
he raged--then came to dead stop;
er eyes grew wide<with dismay, ana
liked upon the doorway at the end
bf the room.
Mr.. Gordon she said in con-
trained voice.
1t was Gordon indeed. He was quite
1t the other end of the long room, but
hot So far that the late tableau could
be unseen by him, and the distress of
Ter face was Intensified in his as he
bowed hurriedly and the yellow por-
Here fell behind him.
Betty blushed furiously. A person
hooking on and not understanding
might, of course. She turned sud
eray, to Tom, who stood staring at
Ter uneasily.
Now go!" she cried, desperately.
#Gop
Meanwhile Gordon had found his hat
Ind the sidewalk and walked blindly
IA fnroaffino tha
bers he had gone for: forgetting every
Thing except girls flushed dismay
bd face. 1t was scandalous that she
hould be allowed to drift into compli-
ations with that fellow. It was all
rery we'll that Cornish was her cousin.
but what of the fellows character--a
rambler, a fortune-hunter Yet what
ould he do? All day he had looked
Forward to seeing Betty. Well, he had