The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-08

it. I was being ehoked down in that hole. wanted air, and 1 knew I could get 1t up here. I don't often get chance. you know. By love, Bet, you don't look day older than when saw you last. This is the sort of place to make one young again"
 He looked at her with genuine ad- miration in his eyes. She was per feet specimen of a fine type--a healthy. abIebodied Englishwomen In the prime of life. The claims of season In Town were unknown to her; For the last four years she had experienced none of the weariness of that endless round of dinners, dances. and At Homes" which would tax the physical strength of an athelete. She had lived her days in the open air and feared neither rain, sun. nor wind. And now. as her face was flushed, and her eyes sparkled with the exertion of a sharp. uphill walk, and an indefinable air of breeding. which can hardly be acquired by any save those who have mixed with well-bred people from their birth. It was easy to see that she was no longer young. but she had better complexion than many girls of twenty. and, after all that is half the battle of woman's life.
 She met Gaunts impertinent glance with look of surprise. He was not in the habit of paying her compli- ments. Then she lausned uneasily.
 Tt would do you good to stay here bit," she said quickly. That's what I want to see you about. Dick. That's why I've rushed up the hill. I want to have a serious talk with you"
 Its no good giving me lecture, Bet" he replied coldly. They've all tried 1t, and that sort of thing irritates me. I'm not doing any harm to you. or Henry, or the mater. You and the mater are snug enough here. and old Henry is perfectly happy making a corner in gum arabic. I've decided on the sort of life I'm going to live. and there's an end to it."
 Please stay here a bit. Dick" she pleaded, just for month"
 You're irresistible. Bet, when you look at me like that. Well. then. I'll miss this train. anyway-to please you. mind, to please you, Bet. That means don't go till tomorrow. for the other trains stop at every station all the way to Town"
 "Don't go tomorrow. Dick. Stay here for month or two, and look after the estates"
 williams does the work we'll" ht | repied, with a laugh, "and if inter | ferred, I should make a mess of 1t | Why do you worry me like this, ant
 look so serious about 1t all? Do yot l think that my mother is ili?" | T know that she Is very IT, sh' | said gravely. very, very III. But Il | you would only stay here, it woult | make such a difference you will | never regret it--never as long as yot | live"
 Poor old mater" he replied. Tool | here, Bet, if you really want to do ui
 all a good turn. I wish you'd persuad' l the mater that I'm not worth worrying l about She's got Henry, as precise and dutiful a son as woman couit want. In a few years time I shal
 come to the end of my tether and die 1 Then Henry will step Into my shoes and you'll all live happily ever after l wards"
 How can you be so brutal" she ex claimed, ESQ wicked, so heartlessl Dt you think that we wish you to dteT'' Sir Richard was silent. He did no think so, but he wished to appear IT the worst possible light, so that hii subsequent conversation might appear
 the more wonderful.
 DO you really think this, Dick ? l she repeated.
 "why notY" he replied. "But there'i no need to get excited, Bet. It is some times cruel, but 1t is never wicked tt speak the truth. You know wei enough that I should not cause nearly | so much trouble if I were dead Nov | there's Henry. He's making pots ci money. I wonder you haven't fallen il
 love with Henry. Bet. He'd make aI
 excellent husband, and then-when hi | comes into the estate"
 How dare youl' she cried, turning as if to leave him.
 Don't go." he said quietly. "Stay 1 here by the sea and get all the fresf air you can. You'll want 1t after (
 talk with me I'll go on to the station | and drive back in the carriage. Th'
 man will be waiting there for me-" | -Oh. Dick" she exclaimed flercely
 "stay with Your mother for a montl or so. You will never regfet it. | never" .. l He loked at her grave. handsme face | and the thought occurred to him tha | 1t might be very pleasant to make low | to a woman like this. She was so ut l terly different to the other women O
 his acquaintance, and 1t would be {
 new experience.
 And so. while apearing to hesitate Richard Gaunt made up his mind to
 stay.
 'I'll see. Bet, I'll see." he said. afte
 a long pause. At any rate, I'll stay
 tonight. I'll think over what you've
 said. But I think, if you really wan 1 to h elp my mother you'd better try and
 persuade her that I'm not worth wor
 rying about"
 Surely that is not the way a ma