The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-08
By ". 3. MAXWELL,
ceDrnshs GOT. y W ,. Maxwell all right. reserved
Author of aThe Guarded F1ame.~
 The RnGwed Messenger,0 "vfvan,o Etc.


 1 bfnish- gray eyes. Perhaps it was in her eyes that large Emily had read the secret of her being at heart puss. Look here. Jack" said Jessie pres entity, "you don't like me--not as yvu used to like me, Jack. You know you | don't. It makes me very wretched. l Yes. it does ;"
 "what nonsense" said Jack. sup- could heipl liking you?" You did like me once.' r q do still" T wonder!" and Jessie twined heI white fingers round gthe silyer-plated lemon -squasher. held lher head slightly on one side smiled land spoke shyly slowly. hesitatingly. Jack. If I was to call on you to prove it?" T thought I'd done that" Jesise flushed, gave the squasher a sharp squeeze, and spoke faster. Don't talk foolish, Jack. What ] mean is--if was to ask you to do me freat favour--to help me by doing me real service"
 "well. I'd do 1t if could" T wonder-I wonder if you would! You would--certain sure--if you really liked me"
 Jack Vincent yawned again. 1 What is it. Jessie?' "Oh, it isn't now. But-perhaps-- later on--Pll pluck up all my poor lit- tie courage and ask you" @All right" and MT. Vincent was on the point of leaving the saloon. "Jackp cried Jesise very reproach- fully: Aren't you going to take your kiss?' And. she stretched forward above the liqueur decanters.
 My dear Jessie. beg your pardon. I. don't know what I was thinking about" And he came back and gave her a perfunctory embrace.
 CHAPTER HI.
 When Lizzie Crunden left school her father had definitely retired from busi- ness. It had taken long time to wind up his affairs, to withdraw his capital from bricks and mortar. dispose of his yard. stock in trade, etc, and lapse into private life But now, on Lizfze's re- turn, he had been completely out of business for two months
 He had retired wisely. In Medford the builders trade had fallen to noth- ing. The town had settled down sleepily, and seemed content with it's present size and importance. There was, In fact, no possibility of continued expansion All the open ground had been covered with the modern red brick villas. No more ground was available There were left only the Grown woods and common, and my Lady Hadden- hams land; and these, it went with out saying. would never be available for building enterprises. Any chance big job, such as the new wing to Waces brewery, or Selkirk's domed halls, al- ways went to some interloping London firm. It was the hour to stop work, fold your hands. and sit tight on your savings.
 Lizzie, on this last return from East bourne, found some slight changes at fn orsa CoAN Na aera vie all frIx of an office had gone from the big room; the brass plate had been taken from the outer door, and the screw holes had been plugged and retouched with paint in so good and workmanlike a manner that no stranger could guess the plate had ever been there. Lizzie's bed room was newly and prettily paint ed and papered; and poor mama's never used drawing room was bare and empty. MT. Crunden had sold all the carefully chosen furniture to Councillor Holland, of Holland Brothers,<i in Bridge street. 1t reminded him too painfully of the gentle, kindly helpmate he had lost.
 "You. see. Liz, what I mean. couldn't have borne tito come into the room and find all the things the same--and her gone. I haven't been in not twice in these four years. It'll be your room now, Lizzie, and 1t shall De done to your taste.
 But Lizzie was in no hurry--always put o1f the consideration of a fresh fur :s!sh ing sch eme. and the room remained empty.
 He was proud of his daughter. and he asked her quite seriously if the house was good enough for her.
 T am we'll to do. I can afford a bet ter house--a much better house--if you wish it."
 "Oh, mo-" cried Lizzie. T wouldn't live anywhere else for worlds"
 ''Wouldn't you. my dear? Well, I do like the old place myself"
 He was obviously gratified by receiv- ing this assurance that Kings Cottage was not only good enough for him. but s good c,.ns enough for his well educated Then. tentatively, he proposed that some well educated matron or spinster should be- engaged as lady companion for Lizzie. q have been thinking of it, Liz. Doesn't it seem to you the right thing? I mean a real lady-like Miss Black burn if she was free--not to teach you | my dear, but to live here with us and go out for walks with you"