The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-22
Ry ". B. MAXWELL. Asthsr sf ssFhs assraeA FIasns.s The AagDel l1essengssss
 ~vtvaaS Ets.
o.,,1.A. .s. ;. V. : ...-.u. n r,.A.. ...~..4

we are getting to the bottom of :t--at | last. Oh. what liars men srS" Then for a little while she made 1t bad for Mir Dowiing.
 But MT. Bowling reused. compelled I to fight, fought bravely and manfully- l lighting to exonerate a brother Mason as well as himself. Pale. desperate, and yet not without dignity, he told how--purely as an act of kindncss--he had given this young lady capital to start her in trade. It seemed a de- l serving case and he had been glad to | offer assistance. And this gentleman MT. Vincent--had done the same thing without thought that any one could | or would misconstrue the motive--from simple kindness.
 | T would have told you of it--and | expected you to applaud me, but you are so unreasonable. All ladies'" MT. | Bowling added loyally. "are so unrea- | sonable in these matters that I kept 1t I to myself"
 And now, madam, perhaps you'll let me have my word. say hear hear, to what MT. Vincent and MT. Bowling did. Though they showed themselves bit foolish when they gave the money. they showed their kind hearts. ! And what is more" said MT. Crunden, made a loud grunt. T did the same fmyself. I gave her fifty pounds. too" Don't get up, father" MT. Crunden. to produce more dra- nlatic effect with h.s words was about to rise from his chair. Still seated, he bowed to Mrs. Bowling. Now. are you satisfied, madam? Do you wish to cross-examine me? =. :. | Yes. did give her fifty--on my honor. | And why did I do so? Because, you see. was a bit of fool--sorry for cir n,.fo AA t,,A- .n his chair and looked at Jessie--'T suppose you won't make out wanted to marry you" T don't know, Mir Crunden," said cold. grey eyes mischievously. you have always been very kind and chiv- alrous. It had struck me-" ''oh. poohY said old Crunden. with an indignant snort.
 Jessie" said Jack. shaking his head reproachfully. you really are. you know. Well. you really are. How many other fifties did you get?"
 Not one."
 You seem to have bitten everybodys ear that you could"
 Jack. although reproachful. was smiling at Miss Barter: but MT. Crun- den was thoroughly angry with her.
 Look here. my girl" he said stern ly, there's one thing never struck you with all your cleverness. and that was to pay back. Anyhow, we've had more than enough of your sauce and cheek-and ungrateful mischief making. You can just go about your business-you aren't wanted here"
 And I am sure I didn't want to come here" said Jessie. "I was dragged here. Good-mornings Good bye. Jack. You may laugh--but you know in your heart of hearts you've treated me very mean"
 While Miss Barter was thus dismiss ed. Mrs. Bowling and Lizzie had been talking together on the other side of the room. and now Mir. Bowling had joined them. Mrs. Bowling was sub dued. confused. and vet perhaps still suspicious.
 Are you satisfied. my dear?" asked Mr. Bowling. with wonderful dignity. "If so. we had better apologize for dis turbing our friends. and withdraw"
 Yes" said Mrs. Bowling, after hesi- tating. 'yes-but I must say you all three behaved very oddly--very oddly
 Then MT. Bowling took his wife away with him. eA
 Well" said Mir. Crunden, when the guests had gone. ''she is a terror, and no mistake. In all my born days I never heard such rumpus about nothing-just nothing at all. I thought Sil . never De SaLlSn6d.
 Jack. in the window. had watche ed the fly drive off; and Lizzie. coming from the hearth. now stood near him.
 Just ridiculous rumpus-about nothing" said Mir. Crunden again.
 Nothing at all" said Jack cheer fully; and then he dropped his voice to whisper. And are you satisfied, too. Miss Lizzie?
 T agree" Lizzie whispered, with Mrs. Bowling. I think you all behaved in very extraordinary manner"
 But that evening she wore again the plain gold bangle which she had dis carded for months-ever since the winter afternoon when she saw Miss Barter beneath the 1amp-post in Hill Rise. Jack had cleared himself of all but folly.
 (Continued tomorrow.)