The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-27
BY SPECIAL LICENSE.
BY A. M, DAVIES OGDEN.


 Autumn was dying in a blaze of crimson and gold. Everywhere color fairly rioted from the vivid blue of the cloudless arching sky against which the green of scattered frs stood sharp 1y defined. down to the wind blown leaves through which the old white horse shuffled his slow way. Squire Godfrey. Justice of the Peace for the county. and now out riding circuit, let fall the reins while he gratefully in haled long breaths of the clear Octo- Der air. The nuts must surely be ri- pening.
 From the woods on his left rang out the merry voices of children and in- Voluntarily the Squire smiled. In those very woods forty years ago he and Hetty had gone a nutting. Hetty, with her dancing,( Aosuish brown eyes, her plain little tatie4 frock and the deep mun- bonnet afways hanging by one string. How distinctly he could see the little figure.
 Then the shaggy gray eyebrows met fin Q heavy frown over the keen blue eyes. What was Hetty to him but the girl who had nouted and mocked him, Arriving him away from home for these wretched ten years. Well, he had come back and made a success of his life and the Squire's frown smoothed it. self as he reflected on the prosperity which was his. And Hetty had mar ried Johnson Wetherby, who had died not long after leaving her with one boy to educate and care for. She had done 1t well, admitted the Squire, grudging- ly. But that young John should have presumed to court his SusIe! The Equire's frown became a scowl as he whipped up the old white horse. He would have none of that nonsense.
 Luckily Susie was good girl. She submitted quietly enough to the thun- dering pronuncIamento launched at her head by the irate Squire. She was not tc see wetherby, not to write him, ex- eept one lettesaxpnyeying her fathers s'SlzlSp; SAnd you caSsBl marry him without my consent for three years yet chuckled the a@aufre. For l won't sign the license Of course. if you choose to Sun or to some other coun- fy--"
 would not do that
 It was well that he had been so firm, pursued the Squire. He had been proved sn the right. for 1t was a year now since Susie had even mentioned Johns name. She was cured. just as he pre- dicted she would be. Otherwise he would scarcely have felt safe leaving her in charge of the office. according to former custom. But he could trust 6usie; she was his own child. Per- haps the Squire overlooked the fact that he, himself. had not yet forgot ten.
 As he drew up at the little Inn which was to be his first halting place. the man was surprised to see a familiar looking buggy already fastened in 'tht trim wooden she'd The tavern was c quaint, homely building. white ant square, with tall pillars and greer shutters At the rear ran a wide, sun ny verandah. The Squire, goinG through the dark, chilly hallway push ed open the swing door. Then h' stopped short. Facing him rose slim white faced little woman, clad in dusty black bombazine. The worn hands lightly clasped together. shook bit but the brown eyes met his own witl 9he old dauntless look.
 ~.Lemuel," she murmured.
 sHettyg' responded the Squire. be wfideredly. breaking the silence o thirty years.
 A sudden appeal flashed up into thu thin face. Her fingers strained them selves desperately in their cottol gloves.
 sTemuel," she began again. T. want to spBak to you-Tve wanted t For a long time. but you wouldn't le kne. Then 5ohn told me that you woul nrobabIy stop here today"
 ~Ah. yess John" said Squire in al uttered tone. For the moment I ha 9orwotten John. It is to him then tha am indebted for this pleasure" hi atubborn mouth wrinkling into a sud den sarcasm.