The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-23

Walters nose. but that young man was prepared; with a lightning like move ment he jerked a button off his new coat and held 1t over' the plate. his hand trembling like a leaf in the wind. then released 1t, and Eph moved the plate, oh, ever so little; down on the floor rolled the button and meandered up the aisle with all eyes fixed upon 1t: Eph passed on but his face was wreathed in smiles; Walter gave one look and sprang to his feet; all the young folks were tittering, on the last two benches, then with a wild dash he cleared the door and sprang into the night.
 On and on he ran with the fleetness of a deer; through the crooked little village streets until he reached his daddy's big barn that loomed up from the meadow its friendly bulk seeming a haven of rest; thence by the hen house he skirted his disgraceful way and climbed up the posts of the back porch and crept along the roof until he reached his own little room under the friendly roof. Here he fumbled for a match, lit his lamp and threw him. self across the clean counterpane of his little bed and wept into the cool sweet pillows.
 Ch the shame of 1t, the shame!
 Oh. Fate, why do you play such un- derhand tricks when a feller is In love?
 He believed 1t was all over now: that Eph would marry Stella and he could never face the world again.
 With firm resolve to kill himself on the morrow, he cried himself to sleep.
 Next morning he arose just as the birds were chirping their sweet melo- l., htteh window and the eastern sky was tint ed in gold and silver. where another day was being born; from the barnyard came the shril1 crow of the cock, and there was the lowing of cattle.
 How beautiful was all the world but how determined was the young fel- low to leave its beauties now.
 He would breakfast and then Kill himself afterward.
 His reveries were interrupted by a loud knock on his door and the stern voice of his father told him to come down at once.
 A fine way to talk to a fellow who was going to diet Never mind they would be sorry when he was laid in the cold earth-sorry, sorry. Stella would be the sorriest of all. Goodbye, little room" he said and went down to eat Almost in tears, he sat down to the meal and ate such very little fol hiTn), that his mother was alarmed. '"walter, why don't you eat; are you sick?" she asked
 "No'm; I'm not sick. mother" he said and 1t was all he could do to keeI back the tears.
 This was all he said during the meal.
 The rest of the family said nothing about 1t because walter was given to moods, but his mother continued to or fer suggestions and threaten medicines until in sheer desperation the lad rose and declared there was nothing the ] matter.
 Running out to the parlor he looked behind the clock and found bottle labeled wood AlcohoP; on 1t was a skull and cross bones. The thing had a peculiar turing fascination for him. To think how easy 1t was; you had only 10 drink the harmless fook- ing contents and your troubles were all over. He hurried over to the orchard and threw himself down under the largest apple tree the snowy blossoms OCT him, the birds singing overhead and the little brook laughing and gurgling on It's way An old blue jay cooked his head on one side and called to him mockingly. On an ordinary occasion he would have taken great pleasure Tn shvinG a stone at him, but he didn't feel like 1t now.
 Oh how beautiful was all the worio this June morning.
 He was very young to die Che re membered his big blue eyes) so young | and so-beautiful. For a long time he sat gazing al | the bottle in his hand wondering | | 1t would hurt very much to drink th' stuff
 Suddenly he heard ripple of silver! | laughter: the old blue jay heard u too, as did also the buzzing bees an' the laughing brook. and they were al jealous for there vas no sound In na | ture so sweet as snfs. | The boy lifted his head. He recognized that tone and knew i was too late to hide. In very shame | faced manner he hung his head, ant kept silent :,
 If was just as well, he thought, 1 | she should see him die.
 She came nearer, the wind tossing her golden curls about her face hel eye sparkling. her cheeks Slowlng "iti health, a vision of happiness to th' melancholy boy.
 She was advancing with something | in her hand.
 walter ventured to look up as sht | came nearer.
 "Well, of all things, Walt, what ar' YOU doin' off here? Having picnic al by yourself?" "No-not a picnic; just restin. Are you still mad?" "Oh, no-I haven't been mad. There was silence that was pittul. well, just come over to bring yor something you lost, in church; did you know you dropped 1t off your coat?
 Well, l declare said Walter oash- fully
 An look; here is a needle and thread an I'm goin' to sew it back on for you So there."
 And Walter with new light on his Anl