The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-15
Ry ". B. MAXWELL, Authsr ef srhs Guarded Pls1ne.p
 The naeged MesasagsRS

guests. They kept a fine table. and thought any one might be glad of place at tt--they only wished the table had been bigger. "You must come again" said MT. Judd. Jovialiy wiring ing the hands of Major and Mrs. An nendaie, Captain Shoito. or Mrs. Page as the case might be. "rhe wife and newcomers. If our table was Iarrer. wed have asked your girls. too. But next time. why not let them come round after dinner--for a little music. or game of billiards with our young men? We've a good billiard room fuil-sfsed board---and tho short cue only wanted at the spot-end--and in front of the mantelpiece. I built the room to please Mrs.Judd. If younG men like playing billiards. we say let them play at home--not to go to the tavern. My sons work hard ail day--and have earned their evenings amusement"
 In this manner the honest Judds talked to the naughty Annendaies-as IT to bosom friapds with whom cere- mony would be foolish. And the Judds were not remotely connected with trade; they were in trade--up to the neck in it--Bream. and Judd. Plate and Cutlery, High Holborns
 One cannot but suppose that there -...--T 1Or AOsVht tH tNG DEV8bl dnQ SCoIn- fui flash of the eyes whom the old Hill Rise girls received the message, and learned that thGv-Swere free to put on galoches, batter down the road, and join the Judd young men after the din- ner party. What next? Upon my word. Nevertheless. Miss lAnendaie- drawing, shaking hands Just under the chin, with six rows of imitation pearls round her proud throat. with knf yA..fA rA.~ but Tor the sham orchids--was new, strange. beautiful ornament found in the Judd drawing-room by the sons of the house on the occasion of the next Judd dinner. Come now, that's friendly" said red-faced Mr. Judd, senior, slipping a warm podgy hand beneath Miss Anendale's bare arm. l--Herbert--Sydney. heres a pleasant surprise. Here's Miss SAnnen- dale, Take her to the billiard room with you---and don't you boys choke her with your cigar smoke" .'5s
 Truly the spirit of the Hill Rise girls was broken. Old crunden--to quote hts own violent phrase-had smashed down all their nonsense. Separate them and they were at the mercy of rude world. Only when they were together could they hold their own. No more might they whistle or call by GHrtStiaH name IfOm mouse 10 house, run in upon each other for counsel and support: rarely might they move in couples. never as full pack. Their hats and frocks were no longer of one pattern; the old costume-note was lost : the HilI Rise girls were lapsing into the general aspect of any other girls
 The success of the Judds was typical of other peoples success. The Gran vilies. the Beaumonts. the Meldsws now visited the Paynes, the Mills, and the Franks. In a year the Hill Rise girls were glad to go wherever you asked them. Falling thus into the arms of that black-coated throng which streamed out of Medford every morn ing and worked in London all day, the Hill Rise girls soon began to do with out the least trouble that which in the grand old time had presented insur- mountabie difficulties, They began to get married.
 1t is but the first step that costs pang in these matters. When once Miss Granville addressed Miss Judd as Mu- riej. it was painless transition to the calling of Miss Judas brother, Herbert. During the last two years there had been more betrothals in the high fam flies than for the six previous years. The bells of St. Barnabas soon made sweet beIl-music for Ethel Page, Ma bel Blake. Lil Meldew. etc; and for all these yelled and wreathed patricians, the bridegroom was season ticket owner, who sat on an ofice stool.
 (Contfnued Tomorrow.)