Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1891-03-27

Folsom pad YOU a compliment
A slight flush tinges Eloise Bristow's
cheek.
Really What was itg'
"He said you were pretty"
che is very kind" Eloise answers, a
little disappointedly.
She Is pretty, and knows it very well,
having been told so again and again.
Mrs. Radcliffe taps her reprovingly
with a costly ivory fan.
MY dear girl, you should not under
value such q compliment from amillion-
airo like IIr. Folsom"
Eloise's GLOSSY dark eyebrows sudden
ly lift themselves.
"a millionaire, Mrs. RGdcliife?'
Eyes. Oh, his wealth is immensei !
thought you knew It,"
"No, / have not heard"
"Well, that is not strange, when one
remembers that you could not have
known anything about him."
Five days pass. During this time
John Folsom aud Eloise Bristow are
much together. Each soon discovers in
the other a charm which lies wholly
apart from that which first brought
them together in such close mutual at.
traction; but it is doubtful whether, ex-
cept for certain spurious Intelligence
impaired by Mr.. Radcliffe, either Of
these two young persons would have
had sufficient interest in the others ac-
quaintance to have made the delightful
discovery which has now resulted for
both.
Yes, Eloise Bristow and Mr.. Folsom
are thoroughly in love with eacA other
at the end of q weeks time. More than
once, while thinking of how supcrbly her
%revengeful scheme had succeeded, Mrs.
Radcliffe's eyes fash with malicious tri-
umph.
At last John Folsom tells himself that
he is foolish not to avow his love, since
Eloise has given more than q single
marked sign by which, if Ee cannot
read the exact truth, he has at least had
reason to guess it.
Ono day while passing the library door
he catcaes the CLEAN Of a pink muslin
morning dress.
1T is she" he mentally murmurs,
land provided she is alone, l shall not
leave her until Ihave declared the truth"
Eloise proves to be alone. Mr.. Folsom
seats himself at her side, and in a few
moments has spoken words that bring
the rich color glowingly to the girls
cheeks and make her eyes sparkle with
brilliant FIRE. he finished with these
humble WORKS:
Il have nc right to address you as
am doing; for oh, Eloise! ever should
you consent to become my wife the
world would call me little else than a
scheming fortune hunter"
A moment after the last words are ut
tered Eloise Bristow leaps to her feet.
"A fortune hunter!" she bursts forth
Indignantly. IL do not understand
you, Mr.. Folsom, unless you mean what
you say for cruel s~gtire!''
He rises now.
Satire? Why, of course 1 do not.
The facts are plain enough. My fort
une 10 now u mere wreck of what it once
was, and you are immensely wealthy"
A bitter, bleak sort Of laugh leaves
Elcise Bristow's lips.
did Mrs. Radcliffe tell you that
that | was immensely wealthy" she asks
excitedly.
Eyes"
Eloise sinks back into her seat. Fix
ing her eyes on John Folsom's fa~s,
which has become very pale, like her
own, she now continues. "And Mrs.
Radcliffe told me the same thing regard
ing your a slight pause. Suddenly
she asks, "Eave you ever thought, in
past times, that Mrs. Radcliffe had any
dislike toward you?"
John Folsom's answer then comes
promptly enough, Yes, 1 used to believe
she hated me"
Eloise laughs again, though less Bit
terly than before.
And J feel that she hated me all
along, now. This is her revenge"
Those four words exercise u strange
effect upon the man who hears them.
He seats himself at her side. Ee fxea
upon her face "A pair of eyes that glow
strangely.
"Eloise Eristow," he begins, with sol
emn, determined voice, 1.-THE story of my
wealth is what first attracted you to-
ward me; hut now that you know me, is
there not any feeling in your heart who'll.
ly apart from all thisy'
Eloise makes no answer. She lowers
her eyes and begins to tremble. ThC
man at her side draws nearer.
'Eloise, 1 love you well enough to die
for you-yes, even in these queer, prosaiC
times of ours. And if this be the case
surely l love you well enough to worl
for you! What is your answer, darling,
Lift up your head and speak it out
bravely. When Mrs. Radcliffe mex
meets us shall she laugh to herself il
magnificent delight and silently murmur
My revenge is Accomplishment or shall
she grind her handsome white teeth il
secret rage while looking IN IA happi
ness, and be forced to confess that VIZ
have conquered her with the very weap
ons she sought to use against MS, turn
ing her revenge into that which may b,
our lifelong future joy-and such joy
Eloise, as no man can purchase"
There is a momentary silence, Will
Eloise sits motionless, with eyes still
lowered; and then an instant later shI
has flung herself upon his breast au(
hidden her ~passionately fearful facl
against his shoulder. He needed 10 othe
answer. -Elnira Telegraph.