The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-04

as if she were making confession of faith, she told of Holt's visit to her on the morning of the election and of his fears that the ignorant men would get into trouble. Tt was the last thing he would have done" said she. as she ended her testimony. to join in a riot or hurt any one. Ills nature is noble. He is tender hearted He could never have had any intention that was not good and brave"
 When she was assisted back to her place the rest of the proceedings were like a dream to her. She knew noth ing clearly till the judge began to her eyes on Felix. She saw his lip tremble as the words fell on his ear: Imprisonment for four years without hard labor!' But otherwise he stood firm and calm.
 They tried to comfort her by telling her that all the gentlemen of the county-Tories. Whigs, Radicals, men of all shades of opinion--had already agreed to get up c memorial to the Home Secretary on his behalf. The very next day there was great meet ing in the hotel and every important name in the county was signed to the paper.
 While the gentlemen were stiIl gath cred Jermyn entered and came straight to k1AfOlQ ITAnbome. f1arO1O took94 at him contemptuousIy. T must speak to you in private" said Jermyu. You will repent else-for your mothers sake!
 Harold, angered beyond reason struck Jermyn across the face. Jermyn, powerful man, clutched him and thrust him back ward.
 Let me go. scoundrel, or I'll be the death of you" said Harold 1ercely.
 "Dol" replied Jermyn with equal rage. T am your fatherl''
 As Harold heard the words he started back. He turned partially and at the instant saw his own face and that of Jermyn in a mirror side by side. Aa if in hooking confirmation the glass re- asserted the hated fGtherhood.
 Bravely he went to Esther and told her that he had heard something thai suiIied hls name. though without hiK fault, and that he proposed to leave England after he had put her in pos- session of her own.
 She was touched by his trouble. and showed 1t. At this the blood rose in his face. and she saw. with a woman'e intuition. that he would ask her to portunity. She escaped as quickly as possible and sat by her window till late in the night. pondertng.
 She thought of the dim life of the back street, the contact with sordid vulgarity. the summons to a daily task. But she dreaded to turn her back on 1t as if 1t were Heaven; for only through choosing 1t could she choose Felix Holt, and she knew now that she loved him-the man who would never come to her in a palace, the man who proudly expected her to bring her love to his poverty or not bring it at all
 Then she dreaded lest she find the road stony and too hard, for she knew that he would make high demands. She thought of the easy lot that Har- old offered; but at the thought of liv- ing by his side she was filled with stifling sense of oppression.
 It was a very simple wedding when Esther. Lyon and Felix Holt, pardonad. were married. But no wedding ever raised so much interest and debate. Even very great people like Sir Max imum Debarry and his family went to the church to look at this bride who had renounced wealth and chosen to be a wife of a man who said he would always be poor.
 Esther never repented. Felix grum- bled a little that she had made his life too easy. and that if it were not for much walking he should be a sleek dog.
 There Is young Felix, who knows 8 great deal more science than hIs father, but has not much more money.
 Next Sundays One-Page Classic will be "The Heart of MidIOthlan," by Sir Walter Scott.