The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-25
e1E azT sH1a1lll lF l1'H IlE l3IHu uIIau llHA By ". B. MAXWELL, Author sf -The Guarded Flame. {" The Ragged Messenger,~
 "Vivan.n Etc.
cspynshs soI u W. B. Maxw.ei, all right. reserved.

To Mir. Crunden. listening. it seemed like the last cruel mockery of fate. Next November-said the mockinr voices-or the following November. he might wear the civic chain, might sit on the borough bench and hear the last or the Guy Hawkes. charges if Gun powder Day had happened to produce a riot
 . He was standing with his back to the fireplace. and he leaned on tbe stick that he had used since the acci- dent to his leg. He was frowning though he tried not to frown, looked gloomy and sad though he sought to appear gratefully cheerful.
 You're very kind" and he grunted. Gentlemen. take II very kind of you: and he grunted again. But weilMl 6, hardly know-whether-" ..
 oh" said Jack, don't refuse. sir. You must go to the dinner, sir"
 Bravo! said one of the deputation "Of course he must."
 And we hope" said another. that Miss Crunden--your daughter. sir will grace the banquet with her pres ence. Our wives will be there and it won't be complete unless Miss Crun-
 "oh. yes" said Jack. Miss crunden will come.''
 And you. too. Mir. vincent-I need ardly add-you must come"
 Yes. yes" said Jack. we'll all come"
 lie was eager to be rid of these flat tering visitors: he was answering for his employer because he thought Mr. Crunden was not to be trusted to Ian- awer for himself. MT. eCrunden.. hest tating' frowning. and grunting in em- barrassment. had just now seemed to be the n0inf n the reasons why no/ feasting at the White Hart, no civic distinction. could chase the wrinkles from his forehead and banish the worried expression of his eyes.
 Jack was unfolding his scheme-re- suit or his excessive toil-and Crunden and Bowling were listening attentive- ly.
 Remember. MT. Bowling. this is what l call a getting -out scheme. You must dismiss the past from your mind II IS not what we might have done once, It Is what we can possibly do now"
 He was seated at his table, and be- fore him all the papers-plans. lists endorsed lctters--were no longer in an untidy litter: everything was arranged methodically, to be under his hand when he might require 1t. Crunden dHu DoWllnS, on the other side of the table. were comfortably established in armchairs.
 Well, then, this is our present sit uation; our debt to the bank is 15,00O pounds. At all costs we must wipe that off. l am convinced that we shall never do any good until we are clear of the bank-and stand free-unham- pered by nybody-absolutely our own masters"
 No doubt" said Mir. Bowling. If you can tell us how to-"
 Please don't interrupt me. . I'll make everything plain as I go on. But If you interrupt me. I shall get confused. l was saying 15,0O0 pounds to be provided without any further de- lay. Our other debts amount to 300 pounds-say 16,00O pounds which we have to find to pay all debts.
 Well, now, I think I can see day light-I think we can put ourselves on a sound footing-but I am sorry to say my scheme all hinges on this: We shall still want 5000 pounds to carry us over the next half-year and make us really safe. =.
 (COntinued TOmOrrOwO