The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-27


 ''very we'll" said Mir. Everard. Tor ten days I shall wait to answer this letter-you can keep the bill; though such delay Is not according to my hab- 1t in dealing with correspondence" Leonard began to move away: but when he was half way to the door his father, who had all the time been watching him keenly added:
 By the way, here is another letter which you had better take and read at your leisure. You can leave a note for me before you go to bed. am din- ing at Worcester tonight and may be back late. shall want to know defn- itely in the morning"
 Thank you. sir" said Leonard as he took the paper. with his heart sinking. Timeo Danaos ct dona ferentes.
 Leonard thought 1t wiser not to look at the letter until he was in his own room. When he opened 1t he gave a low whistle, and his heart sank. It was from the firm of money-lenders to whom he had such a heavy debt, in forming his father that as his son had failed to make a payment of his in- stallment as arranged and had not even acknowledged their applications, they would reluctantly be compelled to take legal action unless the total amount due. with accumulated inter- est, was repaid within three days. As the letter was dated two days earlier, something should be done at once if a catastrophe was to be ayerted. Leon ards commentary was characteristic.
 "Beastly mean of the governor to keep this back till I had committed myself, and then spring 1t on me! I'll be even with him for if yet. Nasty old devilr'
 There was but one thing for him to do; he recognized that at the very outset of his consideration of the sit- uation. He would have to see Stephen at once. She herself had suggested lending the money. It was she who said that If he were her husband or going to be, such troubles would not touch him. Well! he was going to be her husband. He had intended that already; but now he would have to has ten the engagement. It was a beastly grind! Every one was pretty selfish! Just as if Stephen couldn't have walt ed! Never mind: he would get even with them all, every one of them, some day! Anyhow he must lose no time. He would call at Normanstand this very afternoon and fix up the matter. When they had been engaged and he had kissed her. no doubt but Stephen would offer again to help him out. He could in their billing and cooing. work round to the subject of his debts He would pretend to be upset by his fathers 4 BtOTunOSSs anu IIdl "OuAu OIluB nCT up with a round turn. When a woman loved a man she couldn't bear to see him unhappy; she would get out her check book. So that was all right In the meantime he would take bran. 'dy and soda to steady his nerves. But he must be careful. stephen had an eyG like e hawk and would spot 1t at oncG if there was anything wrong with ( fellow. Well, If she made new mat. ters more unpleasant for him thar need be, he'd get level with her later on. A man had always the whip-hant of his wife; that was one comfort. H. smiled as he pictured to himself hiI fathers amazement when he should after another stormy interview whicl he would take care to protract to th' fuil. hand him a sheaf of receipted bills
 In the early afternoon he lay dowi for a quiet sleep in order to prepare himself for his ordeal Then he dress ed himself carefully and drove his doG cart over to Normanstand.
 CHAPTER XIV.
 A Private Conversation.
 The name braced up Steph en at once