The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-28

I terday he had met upon the hill. He plunged at once into his purpose But 1t wasn't about my debts you
 asked me to meet you, Stephen.' Ste- phen's nerves warned her to school her self against coming pain. The rack was tightening quicker than she had expected.
 You surprise me. Leonard, I thought I simply asked you to come to meet me. I know the first subject mentioned when we began to talk, after your grumbling about the com- ing heat, was your money matters. [" Leonard winced, but went on:
 Tt was very good of you, Stephen: but really that is not what I came to speak of today. At first, at all events!' he added with sublime naivette, as the subject of his debts and his im- perative want of money rose before him. He must look after his own inc | terest. Stephens eyes fiasheE; she saw more clearly than ever through his purpose. Such an admission at the very outset of the proffer of marriage,
 which she felt was coming, was little
 short of monstrous. Her companion did not see the look of mastery on her face; he was looking down at the mo- ment. A true lover would have been looking up.
 .I wanted to tell you, stephen, that have been thinking over what you
 said to me in your letter. and what you said in words; and want to ac- ceptg As he was speaking he was
 looking her straight in the face.
 Stephen answered slowly with a puz- zled smile which wrinkled up her fore
 head:
 Accept what I said in my letter! | why. Leonard, what do you mean7 That letter must have had a lot more In it than I thought. I seem to re-
 member that 1t was simply line ask ing you to meet me. Just let me look at it. should like to be sure of what ! it actually isr' As she spoke she held out her hand. Leonard was nonpiuss- ed; he did not know what to say. Ste- phen made up her mind to have the ! letter back. Leonard was chafing un- | der the position forced upon him, and tried to divert his companion from | her purpose. He knew well why she
 had chosen that exposed position for ! their interview. Now, as her out
 stretched hand embarrassed him, he
 made reprisaI; he tried to take 1t in his in a tender manner.
 Creaki Squeak.
 She instantle drew back and put it behind her in a decided manner. She was determined that whatever might happen she would not let any watcher
 at the windows, by chance or other
 her part Leonard, thinking that his purpose had been effected, went on.
 breathing more freely:
 Your letter wasn't much. Except of
 course that 1t gave me the opportun- | ity of listening to what you said; to all your sweet words. To your more than sweet proposal"
 Creak! Creak!
 ''Yes! It must have been sweet to have any one, who was in q position to do so. to offer to help you when you knew that you were overwhelmed with debtsH' The words were brutal. Ste- phen felt so: but she had TO alterna- tive. Fine feeling and forbearance were thrown away on a man who made love with a whip! Leonard had some of the hard side of human nature; but
 went on blindly:
 .sI have been thinking ever since of what you said, and | want to tell you l that I would like to do as you wish' As he spoke. his words seemed even
 to him to be out of place. He felt | that it would be necessary to throw more fervor into the proceedings. The 1 sudden outburst which followed actu-
 ally amused Stephen. even in her state of fear:
 "oh, Stephen, don't you know that love youl You are so beautiful! love you, Love you! Won't you be my wife?"
 This was getting too much to close quarters. stephen said in 6 calm, bus , iness-like way:
 My dear Leonard. one thing at a time! I came out here. you know, to speak of your debts; and until that is done, I really won't go into any other