The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-19

(Continuedl
 "A man musn't be tied down too tishi, even if he is married. And if there's plenty of loose cash about it isn't hard to cover up your tracks. ...I think I'd better think this thing owe calmly and be ready when Stephen comes at me again. That's the way with we men. They don't take No" from q man. They don't like to take it, N hurts their pride. And Booone..,s, never let the matter rest now. Sned ! be afraid that I would peach on her. and every time we should meet she be half off her head making love to me with one side of her, and pretenolns all the time with the other that sne didn't care a damn about me. or any man. No! this thing is only begun. When a woman like Stephen fixes her cold grey on a man she does not mean to 20 to asleep over 1t. I dare say my best plan will be to sit tight, and let her work herself up bit. There's nothing like a little wholesome neglect for bringing a girl to her oearinss!.'
 For . while he walked on in satis- fled seificomplaeency. His communing was now rather visional than thought full, and all his visions were centred round himself his pleasures, his dif- hculties. At first the pleasures were of paramount importance. With the swift facilities of memory, scene after scene of wild pronigancy rose before him. With plenty of money in his pocket he felt that everything was possible. Then doubts began to assail him. Was the money all right? Was 1t quite sure that Stephen Norman would give him another chance? The measure and method of its bitterness could be guessed by his quick, impa- tient expression spoken aloud.
 sdfnufnYYYH hArt why r0uld't gh have let me know that she was fond of me in some decent way. without all that formal theatrical proposing2 It's a deuced annoying thing in the long run the way the women get fond Of me. Though it's nice enough in some ways while it lasts" he added, as if in un- willing recognition of fact. Again his complacency and vanity socthed him. He walked on a little longer unthink- inRly; and then as the path debouched on the highroad he said to himself half aloud:
 ''well. she's a mighty fine girl. any how! And if she is red I've had girl Is beginning to kick too! wish I had never come across.
 when he got home he found letter from his father waiting him. He took it to his room before breaking the seal. It was at least concise and to the point:
 'rhe enclosed has been sent to me You will have to deal with it yourself You know my opinion and also my in- tention. The items which I have marked have been incurred since spoke to you last about your debts I shall not pay another farthihg for you. So take your own DTt t...N eourssi gS.......
 The enclosed was jewellers bill, the length and the total of which lenKthe ened his face drew from him a low whistle. He held 1t in his hand for a long time. standing quite still and silent. Then drawing deep breath he said aloud:
 "That settles 1t! The halter Is on me! It's no use squealins. If it's to be a red head on my pillow. .. All right must only make the best Of 1t. Anyhow I'll have q good time today, even if 1t must be the iast!'
 That day Harold was in Worcester on business. He had few things of his own to attend to, . good many of the estates. and one of Stephens. The latter, after his usual habit of doing anything in which she was concerned, he did first. His own came last. It was late when he went to the club to dine. Whilst waiting for dinner he met Leonard Everard, flushed and somewhat uncertain in his speech. It
  to see him in such a state.
 Leonard was however. an old friend, and man is as a rule faithful to friends in this form of distress, So in his kindly feeling Harold offered to drive home his friend, for he knew that he could thus keep him out of further harm.
 At ten o'clock Harold's dogcart was ready and he went to look for Leonard, who had not since come near him. He found him sitting. half asleep in the smoking room. much drunker than he had been earlier in the evening. When Harold came in and tried to pull him self together and, before Harold could anticipate his movement. drank up large tumberful of brandy and soda which stood on the table by him. This