The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-14
By ". B. MAXWELL, Author of .sThe Guarded Flame." The Ragged Messenger,S
 "vtvan,s Etc.
cep,r.sa. ss, by W. B. Maxwell an right. reserved
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 Poor old dear."
 "Yes exactly. But. do ycu knew. it appears that she is undoubtedly bet Lacy this morning. wrote to him how anxious we were and asked for an explicit statement He says I have frightened myself quite needlessly. Certainly no cause for immediate fear Upon my word" said Sir John. q begin to think she will go on to nine- ty."
 T suppose one can't wish 1t for her sake, but 1t does seem so dreadful to wish anything else"
 Tt is what have always said. Those old women are like creaking doors they just hang on. Look at Lady Had dingham-eighty if she's a day--but, Abinger tells me, full or vitality"
 Lady Vincent, like her son, felt no craving for further wealth, Only wifely regard made her wish that Sir John might as soon as possible have another fortune to play with and en- able her to persuade herself that her cousin Harrie would be happier out of the world than in it.
 Her ladyship admired the energy of her husband, looked up to him. res- pected him, was pleased to take his ideas and make them her own. She was placidly content. thoroughly en- toying life, fond of her little charities. very fond of Jack-without any cares beyond occasional thoughts for the welfare of Jack.
 She had no personal extravagance that demanded large funds for It's grat- ication. She dressed her gray hair In severe fashion. drawing, 1t back in curlless bands above her care: and her costume was sober and sedate with rare touches of grandeur--such as sa- ble stole. real lace scarf, big pearl earrings, etc. She preferred the bon net to the hat. Selkirk's windows had no power over her; and if one aid not know the truth, meeting her as she went on charitable errands to her poor people. one might have thought that she was just anybody--the wife of the vicar. But to Medford she was al- ways grand dame--aristocratic of rea- ture, noble of mien. awe-inspiring of manner. She was really the ktndest of women, and her whole face lit up with beaming kindness as she sat In cottage pariors and listened to the troubles of her humble friends or de. pendents. In general society, however. she beamed much less frequently; her mind was apt to wander at tea and cor- fee parties. and when she lost the thread of the conversation she had quite an unconscious trick of thought fully studying the faces of those about her. This was disconcerting. Indeed the most vivaciously prattIing young ladies in Medford would begin to stammer and soon be tongue tied when they found her Isdyshipfs blue eyes resting on them in thoughtful and as it often seemed not approvins con- sideration. f Jh
 She always beamed when she looked at her son Jack. Then one might plainly read in sr eyes, kindness. love, and admiripg approval. He had been the most delightful baby. the prettiest child, the most attractive boy; and now he was the finest young man in all the wide world. She believed in Jack, thought he possessed immense natural ability. hoped vaguely that he would one day rJuse himself and achieve great deeds-so into Parliament, per. haps, be Prime Minister: do something grand at last to show how right she had always been in her estimate of his gifts.
 Meantime. it must be confessed that Jack now and then filled her with anx- i0us solicit1de. It was painful to think hat Jack had acq lired taste for low company. She liked sick people in cot tages. but dreaded healthy vulgarians walking about the town. This freema- sorry was most regrettable. A uni.