Dodge City times., 1889-01-10
BY WAY OF PARADISE.

BY WAY OF PARADISE.
BIZ OLIVE HARPER.
II was ct the beginning Of the season
at . fashionable watering place, and the
ARRIVALS" were coming thick and fast,
though they were 80 far, mostly people
from far-of places, for the great New
York never goes out of the city before
the 18th of June, and thus the hote.
registers were not 20 interesting as
usual, and there was . general air oi
expectancy hanging over all the present
guests.
Two young gentlemen were standing
ON the piazza of the United States
Hotel, when they noticed two ladies,
walking slowly along the wide riazza,
and they were both striking in appear
ance, though remarkably dissimilsr.
One was somewhere about fifty years
old, dressed in o most careless, dowdy
fashion, with Q pasty complexion, and
keen, sharp eyes, that restlessly turned
in every direction. In one hand she
carried bundle Of newspapers and in
the other, hunge umbrella, and she
waiked with stealthy, cat-like move
ment.
The other WIS young woman scarce
out of her teens, dressed in q dark
blue wollen costume, that fitted her
1.-the figure perfectly, and with the neat
est of white linen cuffs and collar, boots,
gloves, hat, and parasol, all of the neat
est make and style, and with no orna-
ment except tiny watch chain. She
turned toward these two young gentle
men, and they saw q lovely face, with
large dark eyes, that looked straight
out from under her straight brows, and
they took note of the intense red Of the
lips, and the dazzling fairness of the
teeth, that Just showed between.
Her face was womanly and sweet, yet
there was q sort Of consciousness of
power about her, and they watched her,
q she moved gracefully along, with
firm, even steps, and both felt interested
in her. They returned to the register
with new interest, but could not dis
cover the name of the lady, not knowing
the number of her room.
For several days Edward Harvey and
Harry Stratton kept up watch for the
fair unknown, catching occasional
glimpses of her, but finding their pres
ence quietly ignored by her. She al
ways seemed to have purpose in view,
though she never seemed to be doing
anything, and whether she was walking
or sitting, never had either q wearied or
expectant look.
One day Harvey's interest in her sud-
denly ceased upon the arrival of his
fancec, and he forgot all about her.
Not 50 Stratton, who not having yet
ever been in love, was at liberty to flut-
ter round this fame as much as he liked.
He did not know her name, though he
could have found it out if he had been
willing to employ servant Is sort of
privileged spy, but he was content to
zee and admire her from . distance, for
he certainly did admire. He never
knew whether she was aware of his ex-
istence yet or not. He was willing to
let the fates decide.
Ono afternoon he was sitting on the
wide veranda, and listening to the band,
and ct the same time watching his un-
known lady, who Was seated among O
number of other ladies. They all looked
worn and tired, but she had fresh,
arm look that set them all in the shade,
though there were some there who were
noted beauties. The ancient woman
Was also Of the group, her beady eyes
wandering reslessly about, and her
roll of papers still larger than usual.
Presently the young lady in blue
arose, not hurriedly, but as If she had
remained Is long rs she wished, and
quietly retired, apparently to her own
room. Few noticed her. Then the old
ono rose with much commotion, and
went off the scene.
S.ratton paid little attention to the
rest Of the ladies, though he would have
been welcomed pleasantly, for he was
mot only handsome, young, Of good fam
ily, but also very rich. After time his
attention was arrested by hearing one
lady say TO another,
II really don't know which one it is,
but I know it is one of the two. She
writes for several papers, and We must
bo very careful what We do or say, for
ahe i unsparing in her revealing Of our
Htkle follies. I Just hate these women
reporters and writer's; now the men re-
poEters are just lovely. You can hood
wink them and make them do what you
Ike"
Il wonder which of the two it is?"
II don't know. It is curious that
fheir names arc alike, isn't it. I fancy
e must be the old one. She looks the
traditional anthoress, doesn't she"
6tTatton rose hurriedly and walked
o6 with . cigar. and - he walked and
smoked. he soliloquized:
Never! she one of those horrid
masculine creatures' no, indeed. How
/ should hate to be married to . woman
Who wrote for. the papers. Books or
magazines wouldn't be 90 bad; but
bah! it cannot be she."
And fate in the shape of the head
vaiter placed them opposite each other
ae table, and he took special notice of
hGr Aands and searched in vain for the
eza1ifionA inkspot. Instead, he saw
~ vhits hands with rosy, we'll cared
~ nails, and he noticed, too, that she
upgeno xing or other jewelry. Her
10 ornaments were Aowors.
n uu9de. Il she is poor he thought,
n Nm he remembered that the
- simplicity Of her toilet was
661tahiy npe due 10 poverty.