The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-09
By ". B. MAXWELL, Author of "The Guarded Flame, The Ragged Messeugex,s
 "vivan,s Etc.
Copyright DOT. by W. B. Maxwell all right. rs.sry,

4RmRmluEmT mHmE MH mnuHuIH HmR1ha zie squeezed his orn: and. while he told her about the gardeners whom ie had employed. she glanced at him with tender and loving siud,ousness.
 Not understanding garden work. was at sea with them-three lozy. hulking dogs from :sradsliaw v g. and I believe they imposed onon me. But I don't grhdge 1t, Lizzie, if you are pleased.
 "very, very, very well pleased, fath- er."
 she was pleased with his affection ate thought for her happiness. shown in this as in everything else that he said; and she was most grateful. Yet truly she would have been glad to lose this stranEe garden and recover the old garden of her youth. She had promised herself long hours of novel; reading and day-dreaming in the will derness of her childhoods dreams.
 Glancing at him she noticed an in- creased grayness in his beard and white hairs that were new in the hair on his temples. He looked older now that he had ceased working. He still wore a gray.~workmanlike suit. but it was per- haps of a superior material than in the past, and there was no sawdust or brickdust on it. The blue linen shirt and collar were an innovation. and his watch guard was a leather strap with a little silver buckle instead of the tn in steel chain that she remembered all her life.
 It must have been good school at Eastburne--because with sn the highy class learning there imparted they had never taught her to De asnaraed of ner father. She would not have changed him for the most ornamental father out of all her romantic novels.
 1erhn { fs Zfs GVGf evening at home, was altogether cous- inly-the affectionate, staunch rela- tive of the Crunden family. Her hon. est, wrinkled face beamed with well coming joy; she called Miss Crunden my pet" flung her arms about her, kissed and hugged her.
 Oh, my petit dues seem good to have you back for to stay this time! And oh, my pet, to see you so fine- grown--such a tall. beautiful young lady, and yet for to know that you're glad to see your poor old Pricey"
 Indeed Lizzie was glad to See her. and to feel the warmth of this Eum- bJe old Cousins welcome. SA grand young lady you do sook," said Mrs. Price. retiring a few paces in order the better to admire the gem eral and combined effect of face. figure and costume. "There1l be heads turn ing round all along High Street, Liz zie dear when you lgo down for the shopping"
 But next morning every mark of cousinship had vanished. Mrs. Price | entered the parlor where Lizzie was sitting as the cook k-housekeeDer, and nothing more. Grey. demure. Nsolemnly respectful. she laid down on the table little pfc of tradesmen's books with a tin box full of labelled keys, and folded her kind old hands.
 Miss Lizzie--Miss" said Mrs. Price, as though reciting a lesson. T have brought the weeks books which kep' back on Saturday to have in readiness and you will find there the most of the keys. The linen cupboard, owing to a mistake of Mary's, is not yet made ! up-to the full strength as I should wish to hand 1t over to you. Mir. Crunden 1 has said he supposes now it will be | late dinner. and you would name the hour. He said that must be for you l to decide. He will lunch hearty, and | for him the late dinner will be in l place of his supper. Of a morning,
 would you wish me to come in here
 for the orders or would you .'ome out | to the kitchen?"
 but now it was plain that Mrs. Prices
 over of supreme command.
 | No, mo-" said Lizzie: 'I couldn't. No. Pricey, you old dear. I leave it all Ete- ycu s 1 Mrs Price was frankly delighted | She had always loved Lizzie. and now
 she adored her. Her hands trembled
 and the keys clanked in the tin box
 as she gathered up the insignia of do-
 mestic office.