The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-03
Py ". B. MAXWELL, Author of sThe Guarded Flane,- .
 The Ragged Messenger," ~vtvan,s Etc.
c,,yrishs ss1. by W. D. Maxwell an rishts reserved ,w-mnmu uMnmuauMnan nMaan aana0mnMnMnaaMuHmuu

visits uniadylike. if not improper; and so did Mrs. Price.
 Who is Miss Baxter?" said Lizzie very colJly.
 Her as has the dressmaking shop, under MT. Dowling's. But she come out Of the White Hart--and if was the ladies. l wouldn't go near her or her shop Don't you ever have nothing to do with her. miss"
 T certainly shall not" said Lizzie contemptuously.
 You know there used to be a talk about her and Mir. Jack--though MT. Bowling speaks up for her and says that was just talk. But what I say is this: It's cruel thing of her to go disturbing him after his days work, and forcing him downtown-takingh her to the theatre and wasting his hard earned shillings-and bringing him into worse danger" t,
 What danger?"
 Why" said Mrs Price solemnly. "T mean his being led astray by all that wicked drinking lot that hangs about the theatre. When a gentleman Is so kind In his heart as Mir Jack, he hasn't always the stren'th to say no-and then it's one glass on top of another until he has to be punished with the bad head ache next day-and not fit for his work"
 It seemed to Lizzie that scarcely any punishment could be too severe for gem tlemen who went to the play with im- pudent and vulgar dressmakers. She expressed no sympathy.
 "He had the headache the other morning." Mrs. Price continued sadly and he arst me to give him pick -me- mp while he was doing his work at that table. But I said: No. MT. Jack. No pick -me-up will get you-unless it's cup of tea He turned that off with a joke. and said the doctors had scared him about tea---and tea was jumpy stuff to take except at tea time. That was his joke" and Mrs. Price smiled. with affectionate tolerance. He called me Pricey- picey and made a face at me and my tea--and then laugh. Of course I had to laugh. too"
 Had you?" said Lizzie. without the least smile. Tt doesn't strike me as very funny"
 NO. Miss Lizzie" and Mrs. Price be- came impressively serious again. God forbid I should see fun In drinking. But l didn't mean 1 was afraid of his | ever taking 1t heavy-like to destroy him as we've seen happen in this house ito our sorrow. But it's easy for a | gentleman to take more than's properly bad company"
 eff he drinks" said Lizzie coldly, ''my father will discharge him" "Yes. Miss Lizzie. but your father can't discharge Mir. Jacks shedding l of his blood for him. And | do say. miss it'll be on all our con- | science if we don't look after him and l keep him steady, now he's thrown | over all them as ought to look after | him, and put himself in our hands, That's what I say, Miss Liz l zie;" and Pricey said it quite defiantly, | and then moved towards the kitchen | door.
 I've no fear" she added. turning l again, while he's here along with us. l But it's the evenings when he has no one to look after him-except it's | that Miss Barter. Who's Miss Barter | I'd like to know?" asked Mrs. Price, | in a sudden burst of indignation. l Whats he got to do with her? Let | her mind her pins and needles. She was never a friend of the family up
 at Hill House-or it's news to me if she | was."
 "Of course, she wasp't."
 NO. and not friend for him. Miss | Lizzie. I've spoke not to frighten you | only laying it before you-to take
 more interest and use your influence | Why, not give him some of your books l to pass the time with? Or why not
 let him spend his evenings here inno-
 cent and happy-talking to the mas l ter. or playing of a game at the cards! 1 You know how he used to love the 1 cards-and what a rare hand he was
 with them. You aren't angry for my ] speaking? But I do say we shouldn't 1 neglect him. He's trying to do right 1 and it's for 'us to stren'then him as
 best we can."
 Then Lizzie. alone in the big room
 sat thinking of Jack. She had work l to do. but Mrs. Price had put her of
 it. She was making manifold copies
 of the draft building agreement pre-
 pared by MT. Eaton, the solicitor. This
 contained conditions as to construction of houses--sixpence half penny pel
 cubic foot, etc.-together with the
 terms of the ninety-nine years lease