The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-21
Ry ". B. MAXWELL, Author sf SThs Guarded FrlaDe.s The HaggeA l1eeoengerS
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at the sound of the shrill blast. the tools dropped from the workmen'l . hands as If by magic. or as If the whis-
 tie had blown the plasterer's brush against the skirting board in the hall and the carpenters hammer into the
 corner of the room upstairs: men who were supporting grate let the iron frame fal. with dull crash; no man continued working for an instant, for a fraction of an instant. after the sig nal told him that the hour of rest had begun.
 workout they're not like your father and me- they don't enjoy working:'' and he called to the two men hurrying from the fence: T docked you of four | minutes. Take 1t at the other end" Thank you. sir. thought you was giving us short measure"
 Jack walked back with Lizzie. and spoke to her again of the gaiety and gladness of these bright spring days.
 Make you fell happy. no matter
 what you may have to worry about" and he glanced at her thoughtfully.
 Miss Lizzie, it's warm now. Isn't that brown frock too thick and heavy?' And once again he made polite in- auiries after the blue dress with the white spots
 "When will you wear it?'' Never" and Lizzie looked straight before her and walked a little faster.
 ''I hate blue dresses--and think you
 have very bad taste.'
 "Oh, I say"
 T think. if you want to talk about peoples dress-you had better go and talk to your friend. Miss Barter" Don't you approve of my talking to
 Miss Barter about dress-or anything else?"
 "Approve. What has 1t to do with me--or my father?"
 "oh. but I like you to take an inter- est in me-"
 Suddenly his eyes sprakled. and he
 snapped his fingers. He had been
 watching her face; she had flushed very slightly, then had closed her lips resolutely and was walking on faster | and faster. She would talk no more q am anxious about my father" she | said. and then remained silent till they
 reached the white railings of King s Cottage. But Jack, walking by her side. seemed pleased and content. though she would not look at him or speak to him. It was as if the kind sunlight made him so happy that noth- ing else mattered.
 MT. Crunden was completely in the dumps and sadly needed cheering. MT. Bowling, who sat by the invalids chair, looked even more gloomy than
 his client He could only say Tut, tut" when Crunden showed him the
 hateful and impudent letter that had
 come from the London and Suburban Trust.
 Jack after much argument had pre- vailed on Mir Crunden to let him "sound the Company" and now this was their reply: "Your MT. Vincent has approached us, and we are prepared to deal at times price. Subject to con- tract, We offer 150 pounds per acre for the upper portions of your unoccupied ground" "Oh, they don't really mean that
 said Jack. That's just their bounce.
 Let's make out we think they are of- fering 150 pounds rent per acre. on
 building lease-and reply that subject to contract We accept their offer.
 They'll look foolish then and they'll
 have to explain"
 He was gay and\ jovial-smiling at the sombre faces of Crunden and Dow ling; so light-hearted and hopeful to- day that no setbacks could shake hss self-confidence.
 q feel sure. sir. our best chance is with them. They have the money And if we could Tighten the ship. we should get along again. VIII you let mo tackle them seriously?" Then there was solemn debate-Mr. Crunden gradually becoming less dole
 full, while MT. Bowling continued in