The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-11
Ry ". B. MAXWELL, Asthsr sf -Ths Guarded risas.s 2 The Hagged MessenUsrsp
 "vivnn,s Etc.


 pc right to forget, one's meals--tea put on till supper ought to be on ta- bie, By the time the master has made his big fortune, you'll all have the Indigestion so as you won't be able to enjoy your meals. . Miss Lizzie! your tea"
 No. I'll wait for father. They must have nearly done their talk" "Mr. Dowling's there, isn'f he? He'd go on talking to the gentlemen till midnight. ''' Oh, Miss Lizzie. do stop | writing os,,ie
 "Pricey,' said Lizzie. putting down her pen, they've been. so long that I begin to hope they'll succeed" T hope so, too. And I know the best thing your father and MT. Dowl- ing could do, is to come straight home and have their tea, and leave MT. Jack to do the job. He's the one that sells the land., and Mir. Dowling's the one that talks about It."
 "Hark,' cried Lizzie. That's fathers footstep." s A glance at Mir. Crunden's face told her that he did not bring good news. He looked tired and detected and cold. No success dadT'
 Nothing settled. MT Jacks talking to 'em Bowling has run down." ,"I suppose" said Mrs. Price. Tt is 1 tea now. I keep telling her it's Sat- I urday night. but she goes on just the I snfne.'
 I "Yes," said Crunden wearily. "Blow up. Knock of. Strike work. Put your things away, Lizzie"; and he went | to the fire, and stood before it warm | ing his hands. Its been a bad week. Let's be done with it. . "They haven't quite decided against the house, have they. .dadT NO. Just backwards and forwards hem and ha. First it's the house | they'll buy, then it's a site they'll take ! and build to their own taste''
 "They couldn't build nicer house, l father" s"No T don't believe better decoy 1 houses were ever put up. They are very nice my decoys--but they don't l seem to catch much, do they?" and he shrugged his shoulders and laughed l bitterly. | Presently. when Mrs. Price had brought the tea. Bowling arrived. 1 May come in? -. Nothing done. Jack is hard at them still. They seem to banker after the site now. Irritating l sort of people,"
 You'll have some tea. wont your" | asked Lizzie. se
 "Yes. sit down." caid Crunden grufay ting home said Mir. Bowling. and he l looked at the comfortable tea-table and hesitated. My wife may expect me. But no again--stupid of me to l forget'-and he brought a chair to the | table-"Mrs. Bowling has a social en- :! gagement. Besides. she would guess l where am. She could ring me up on She can wish you home when she's | out" said Crunden rather testify. You l aren't the house cat" NO I am quite aware of that, Mir. 1 Crunden"; and MT. Bowling drew back the chair.
 NO. mo-" said MT. crunden. Sit down. sir and stay to supper, too-and cheer us up a bit. We want it.'
 well. if you put it like that; and Bowling sat down. Yes, thank you. | will stay to supper. : Two Jumps, Miss Lizzie. if you please; and he took slice of cake. Talking always makes me hungry"
 Always makes me thirsty" said | Crunden, after emptying his second cup. 'Parches me when 1t goes on like 1t has today" y
 And then. sipping at his third cup Mir. Crunden announced that he was l about to lose his clerk. He gave me notice this morning when he drew his screw. He goes end l of next week. Lizzie" | Mir. Bowling was astounded by this l announcement and became loud in his l praises of Jack. MT. Bowling by no means considered that there were as | good fish in the sea. He loudly declar- 1 ed that they would never find such an- other clerk.
 | He's so jolly over it.too-so affable and friendly. Hear what Griggs' men used to say of him. And why should he go? Has there been any unpleasant ness between your
  He says he wants to go and there's an end of it. A mistake, very likely. He may live to regret-and I shouldn't like him to have to rought it.
 ''oh," said Bowling, he'll fall on his feet No fear of that"
 Father didn't he tell you where he
 NO. he said London probably-no ! more"
 "I should try to retain him." said Bowling enthusiastically. 'I should try to persuade him. Means could surely be found-if we discussed it to-
 Well" said crunden, "how' Let's Then Mrs. Price came in with an- other jug of hot water.
 T won't" said Mrs. Price, stop your discussion-not half minute There. Now I'm off and you can go 1 OH ulSCuSSiHk
 No secrets, Mrs. Price" said Crun- den kindly. Stay and give us your ! word"
 But if MT. Bowling had been loud, Mrs. Price was far louder. When she heard what to her seemed most direfuI tidings she really screamed.
 Never. Oh. never. Don't you say that-and don't you let it happen; and she turned almost fiercely upon her master. Have you drove him into i this-with your angry tongue and your i hard ways? Haven't you learnt your lesson yet-that young people with high spirits and warm hearts aren't to be driven like so many dogs?"
 There said Crunden sternly. | 'Thatll do Not so much noise-or go 1 outside and squall there"
 But Mrs. Price was not easily calmed Who was there delinquent? That was her cry.
 Yes sir. I'll go outside-but I want | to know who done 1t. If 1t isn't you to blame-then who Is it? Her ladyship? !? | Yes. and an old fool she is-though say it. Or is 1t that Miss Barter | got hold of him? If so. it's our fault, | and I say 1t. She's an 'ussy. Yes. MT. Dowling-you may stick up for her, ! but I say she Is. A nasty good for nothing baggage-and it's on our con- science if it's her taking him away" And Mrs. Price with scarcely abat- weep.
 her word but I never thought she'd |