The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-08


 naculate kitchen, and from him she gained the information that Miss Nancy had gone to New York. Mrs. Butterfield drove off, wagging her head solemnly If Nancy Skeen had gone to New York by her self the money would be either spent or stolen.
 the face of the earth her disappear ance could have aroused no greater excitement than did her prolonged absence.
 The rural mail carrier violated his official oath to tell that the hired man regularly received letters adressed in Miss Nancys delicate script, and Hir- am admitted that these letters merely recited that she was we'll and aoped that the farm was prospering.
 For three months the mystery con- tinued. Then came the pleasant nights of the harvest moon. and one evening Judge Wayburn, crossing his own broad acres on his way from a town meeting, rubbed his eyes at the ap- partition of woman stepping briskly out across the stubble. He paused to wait her coming, and when she sought to avoid him by a short turn he started in pursuit.
 The trespasser came to a halt at his hail and awaited his approach.
 What does this mean?" he panted as he numbered up. You've got no right to be on my grounds, whoever you are"
 Don't you know me, Ben?"
 There was little catch in the voice in which fear tempered the evident joyousness.
 The judge polished his glasses and | turned her so the moonlight fell full upon her face. For minute and more he scrutinized her features, oddly familiar and yet wholly strange \ Seems like ought to know you" he Iconceded. There's something famil- far about you, but never saw you be- fore. I guess" | You don't know Nancy skeen?' she llaughed.
 ' wayburn caught her roughly by the shoulder
 Don't you come here with those games" he thundered. If you've mur- dered Nancy and are going to try to come into her property, I'll see that you swing for it. I know the ways of you city folks"
 But I am Nancy" she pleaded. You don't know me, Ben, but it's really me. You heard, I suppose, that came into some money from my Uncle John?"
 Nancy Skeen did" he corrected. unwilling to compromise himself by this inferential admission. Well, then. Nancy Skeen did" she agreed, dropping into the third person. Nancy Skeen was a wicked woman. She might have done a lot of good with the fifteen hundred dollars, but she was selfish. The church needed a new organ and a stained glass window, but she saw an advertisement in paper and she spent the money on her self"
 T suppose you'll try and convince VnA hn chn hnr .ryaf it?" he suggested with fine sarcasm.
 That's just what she, what I did" she confessed. There was a man who said he could change faces. and there was picture of a nose just like mine used to be, and then like it Is now. It seemed wicked to waste the money for vanity, but my nose has been a curse all my life. I wanted to at least go to my grave with a straight one. I don't think 1t was very wrong I can still give s1O0 to- the organ fund"
 The judge looked at the regular features, at the smooth. soft skin, steamed and fed until the wrinkles were eliminated, He noted the Jaunty carriage of the slender figure in the neat tailor made gown, and shook his head. The day of miracles were pass ed.
 q didn't want to get off at Vance viile,'' she said. with an awkward little laugh, "so I got off at Patterson and walked across fields didn't suppose I'd see any one this time of night"
 See here" said Wayburn. If you really are Nancy Skeen, what hap pened down back of the schoolhouse the day you graduated?"
 Miss Nancy blushed. You-you kiss ed me-" she stammered, the flush deepening. When I read my essay thought every one must be looking at my nose, and I broke down and rushed out of the room. You follow ed and found me crying in the wood shed and you kissed me to comfort me. Now. am I Nancy?"
 By the powers you are" he conced- ed, using his most tremendous oath in his excitement. And do you remember when I kissed you I asked you to marry me. and you said you never could marry while your nose was like that?"
 q remember" she said. softly. And I, like a fool, just went away" he went on. Do you remember you exact words. Nancy?"
 'T don't think I do." she whispered, though her telltale blush betrayed her. You said you couldn't marry mo went on. Now your nose isn't like that any more. We're both pretty spry for old folks, Nancy. Will you have me now, dear?' He saw his answer in her eyes shin ing with a new light of tenderness and love. and he folded her in his arms that had so often been stretched forth in vain.