The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-11
.-:- OUR DAILY SHORT STORY

ueNereI The woman trtumphantly
 held up basket of delicious fruit. Who sent itg' Betty asked. search 1, ing for card.
 None was to be found and Mrs. Fryitt could only tell her that the
 basket had been left by messenger
 boy. Not one of her fairweather friends knew her present address
 Naturally she thought of Mr. Tender son. For some time there had been a growing tenderness in his manner to- ward her. When the annonymoiis gift. continued to appear daily she took oc-
 casion to remonstrate with him. Hot house grapes are expensive
 iuxuries," she said. Don't send any
 more. You can't afford to-" Henderson deiiberated a moment then replied
 Miss vandevere. allow me to cor rect wrong conclusion. I have not presumed to send you grapes, or any thing else'' 'who did?"
 If may hazard a guess-The Bearr'
 Betty was so angry that she march
 ed forth with it into the next room
 where her employer was busy at his desk.
 MT. sterling,r she cried. 'Tes an 'fftPpi SVu to Htdhe ne pre- sents! The fact that I work for you is no excuse"
 He looked disconcerted. T hoped--you wouldn't know--the trifles came from me-
 'why did you do it?" she demanded hotly.
 You're not used to making your own way--of course you miss things. And, then, l knew your father and I want ed to help you for his sake" She stared half-incredulously You knew papa? When? Where T' '1n San Francisco--last winter We
 met in business way and got to be
 friendly. He liked to talk about you; and once he showed me your picture. So you seemed like an old friend from the first"
 Bettys eyes had been opened. but the look of annoyance did not leave her face.
 'T can supply my own wants Please do not send anything more."' she said. and with her head held high went back to her post.
 Henderson glanced up inquiringly,
 his face revealing half a dozen im- pulses in as many seconds. Suddenly
 he rose. took q step nearer. and began
 speaking rapidly 1 ma husky whisper
 Miss vandevere listen! I'm going to tell you a secret. I have fallen heir to fortune. I take the midnight train for Canada to claim the legacy.
 No one Is to know of this until after I'm gone--not even Sterling. Will you come too-away from this hateful
 life? You know love you. Decide at oncei There's no time for dallying. Say you'll come"
 The startled girl trembled in the hot breath of his passion. Every vestige of color left her face.
 Tt is--so-suden," she faltered. q must think it over. Give me time"
 I'll call at your boarding house at 10 o'clock Be on the watch. And re- member how much there is at stake, But I know I can trust you"
 Betty's voice seemed to have dropped
 down into her throat. There was no response. A silence fell in which she could hear the untitled beating of her own heart.
 That night Henderson was the first to leave. Sterling was in the room, and he could only give Betty glance
 of mute appeal as he went out. She crouched over, her desk with blurred eyes. For tims there was no sound save the rustic of the paper Sterling pretended to read. At length, throwing it down. he crossed to her side.
 Still at work, Miss .Yapdevere7" he said, a new note in his big voice "T'll soon finish now" she answered, without lifting her eyes. Don't wait, please. I'll lock up." Betty heard him sigh as he went out Hastily locking the door on the inside
 she withdrew the key and returned to her seat.
 An hour dragged by. Now there ID abadnyuE avarVUhArA The
 ners were black with them. She felt
 suffocating terror. as If the wall;
 were contracting and might shut to- gether and crush her. Suddenly key clicked in the lock. She-had barely time to drop behind a
 chair before a man tiptoed into the office. As he passed by her hiding place the light from the street struck across his face. For a minute she ceased to breathe. He went hurriedly on. to the inner room; and after a lit- tie while. a gentle clicking told her that he was working the combination of the safe
 Now was her chance! Quick with fright she crept to the door opening on the landing. One quick step and she was outside. Then the unexpected happened. A flood of light suddenly illumined the darkness; she saw tha the passage was ruil or poIicemen. And she had rushed straight into Tom Sterl ings arms!
 "You! Oh, I'm so gladr she gasped historically. "Quick! The safe! You are being robbed. Henderson," But the men fin blue had already dashed past into the office. There was the sound of a struggle, then voice shrieking dreadful curses-the same voice she had once thought so cultured l and refined.
 .T overheard-thIs afternoon" sterl- | ing said quietly. 'T had grown sus'
 picious before. If you really love him
 he shall go free" Love him? Oh, no, mo- Betty cried
 with her face hidden on the big mans shoulder. q didn't know until this af-
 ternoon who I loved! But do now" COAL-BEST BLOCTON LUMP. | One RrasIe Only-$8 per ton.