The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-21

lie trled 10 correct the copy pooK but his thoughts would wander
 Why was she here? Why had she not carried out her original intention of going abroad to study art? And If she was not studying, what was the Pelham, family doing at their country place in midwinter. with the social sea- son in full swing in the city? He might have known that Willie was her brother. Her odd, demure way of saying startling things had first att tracted his attention to her. and in- ally nearly wrecked his last year In college. How could he work, then. with the thought that love. and the girl who was all In the world to him were alike beyond his reach. There was his future to carve--his mother to sup port, a few of his fathers debts to pay and on the other side. Natalie Pel- ham, the Pelham wealth, the Pelham position. She had been flirting with him, of course, not wilfully, but just l because 1t came as naturally to her as eating and drinking. She had never taken him seriously. and, after Conn mencement day. when he had gone out West to teach In a summer school, and give his mother a little rest in quiet summer resort he had dropped out Of her life, just as if there had never been teas in the frat" room, moonlight walks on the campus, football games and promenades which they had enjoy ed in common. And here she was again, just when he needed to hold himself we'll in hand. One thing he must do--avoid her disturbing presence, her magnetic, charm, if he possibly could.
 | Thereafter, in justice to the other pu- pills, he explained to himself. he show | ed no partiality to the Pelham twin. Tn fact. that youth, If he had not been so perfectly cognizant of his own mis- chievous wrongdoing, might have com- | plained of discrimination. But every af- ternoon Raymond stood at the window and watched the slender figure with Its two small charges hurry through the | crisp winter air. She must have chang ed he argued to himself Certainly she had settled down, for she could not l be doing the opera. teas and receptions and call for those children every after noon.
 And then came the day of the bliS- gard. Raymond watched it shut down on Morris Manor and could hardly keep away from the window. Was she com- l ing for those children on foot? By the | way, it was odd that she never came | with sleigh or carriagei Other chill dren were claimed by fur-ciad footmen
 or strong elder brothers. Nearly all | the day pupils were gone. Patty Pel- ! ham had not even tried to. come sanfoss
 
 | Raymond began to pace the floor. Do you think your sister has for | gotten or Is afraid to come out? Don't l you think you had better go home with Wilfred Bailey when his mother sends for him?'
 "oh, Natalie will be here all right. She's probably fussing with Patty's rubbers. Natalie is not afraid of any thing.
 Ten minutes later she staggered down the street. and Raymond dashed downstairs. drawing her through the door and shutting out the mad storm, with 6 thousand furies tearing at his. heart. Why had he not gone to meet her? He, led her into the class room, tore off her wraps, chafed her hands and her face, sending the oldest boy to the principals office for brandy and help.
 An hour passed before the strain was over, and then they sat facing each other in Mrs. Morris small sitting room. An awkward silence fell between them. "Please do not worry any more." he said finally. q caught your house on the phone just before the wires went down, and no one Is worrying. The teachers at Miss Montgomery's will look after Patty, and Mrs. Morris is having a small room made ready for you to stop here. You are quite sure you feel no pain in your side or chest7 Are you quite comfortable?
 The girl leaned back in her chair and smiled.
 q am comfortable-and happy. How far off June seems. It must have been in the dark ages"
 Douglas Raymond leaned forward and looked into her eyes There was no mischief in the answering glance. 'When your father failed--when you were in trouble. why did you never write? You must have known--that altered circumstances broke down the one barrier between us"
 "Oh, they were not so much altered. I wasn't suffering, you know. We have little left--enough to educate the children and live comfortably--and"
 Yes? Didn't you want me. He whispered.
 "I was afraid--you might think that all that sort of thing had made any difference before. It hadn't, you know -only you would not speak"
 "Oh, and you told Patty 1t was not nice to let boys kiss her, and you're doing it'
 Raymond stood up very suddenly and Natalie. leaning over the back of her, chair, laughed into Willie's shock ed face
 Did you remark that dinner was readyT
 NO, I didn't. but 1t is. and if you don't come at once shall tell Mrs. Morris-why."