Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-09-06
MY ROMANCE.

few months, cts downright shame that
we are so poor"
ILL brushed the crumbs from the napk in
into her apron and thence to the floor and
passively admitted that it was.
ut is for your sake that abhorthis eter-
nal warfare with poverty" asserted in
fit of magnanimity. You are such frail
delicate morsel of humanity, who look as
though you might be waited away bodily
by an unusually energetic summer evening
breeze. Now, as for myself, am different
" constituted. A Kansas cyclone couldn't
phase me. A surfeit of hardships and
dearth Of life's necessities agree with me-
thrive and grow fat under such disheart.
cning circumstances, as my physical condi,
ton will attest. But it is hard for you,
dear. Ifthat vacllating, weakninded young
scion of English nobility would only cxer-
else a little common sense and marry you
and take you away beyond the confines of
this hot, stufly atmosphere, he would win
my lasting gratitude and deliver you from
premature death"
| ILLS face flushed painfully.
Don't talk so, Katie" she said plead
ingly. Speak of Sir William with respect,
at least"
II can't do it," responded, waxing yet
more indignant. He's an idiot. How you
can care anything for him is incompre-
hensible to me, but it is quite plain that
you do, and if he had any eyes in his head
he would see it, too, and act upon that
| knowledge. or course he intends to ter.
inmate this prolonged courtshp some time
! by matrimonial proposition, else why did
he follow us to America when poor papa
brought us here on this wild goose chase,
and why has he stuck to us ever since like
leech?"
ILL vouchsafed no reply, and having ex,
pressed myself in terms sufficiently foTci-
BILE to satisfy even my rebcious spirit
made preparations for pursuing my daily
vocation. The three Robinson girls Were
unusually stupid in their music that morn,
ing, and that, allied to previous sources of
annoyance, served to reduce my mind to ii
condition of utter chaos, which was in no
wise abated by subsequent events.
AT the entrance to the park l met Sir
William.
Miss Kate" he said, smiling ioyously as
he advanced toward me, Il am delight ed 10
meet you have been wanting to sec you
alone for some time"
"YesS' | answered coolly "Have You
spoken to ILL about it yet"
No he said, ing at me curiously.
II have not. Why should? What is it TO
her?n
ut is matter of vast importance to her,
should Judge considering that she is the
individual upon whose happiness you have
designs" l retorted sharply.
He stared ut me in blank surprise. you
are mistaken" he said at length. ut is
not your sister whose happiness contem
plate destroying, but your own
/, in turn, stared at him.
"Me?" / exclaimed dumbly and ungram
matically.
YOU" he replied with equal obtuseness
There was an injunction in our immed
ate vicinity warning us to keep Off the
grass but disrcgarding the command we
trampIed over the velvet swam and sat
down on Il bench near by. There was an
interval of silence AT last he spoke.
Miss Kate" and his eileminate face
blushed deeply, Il may as well out with il
at once Will you marry me?'
No." said shortly, Il won't"
He seemed greatly surprised by the an
swer.
"Why not:" he calculated fetbly.
"There are several reasons replied.
SIN the first place, do moi like you. Then
we had always thought that you fancied
I'LL. She cares for you. Why don't yon
marry herr Besides" added, attempting
to make him comprehend the uselessness Of!
his suit, II nm already engaged.
II cunt believe it," he exclaimed cxcit
edly. II had never thought Of that. | did
not know that you were acquainted with
many gentlemen. May ask who he is>'
YES" answered in sheer desperation,
sit is my cousin, Leo Morton. We have
kept it Il secret, never having told even
Lii, lie will be at our house tonight
Come and meet him and be convinced.
He left me soon, and after moments
planning | started on another mission y
half hour later stood before the door Of
Lee Mort on's studio and sought admission
Lee was our cousin several times removed.
lie bad visited us frequently after we came
to America, and had, to II certain eNtent,
dispelled that feeling of Loneliness that al
ways clngs round strangers in strange
land, but he had been very busy OF late, we
had heard, finishing II picture for the art
exhibition, and we had not seen him for
several months. There was wonderment
mingled with the cordially of the welcome
he ccorded me.
"What is the trouble, Katey' he asked
graveIy, noting my unwonted excitement.
i "Nothing-everythi stammered in.
coherently. "I.ee," and | clasped and nm,
clasped my hands nervously, Il want to be
engaged to you just for tonight"
had never seen him look so serious
"You want to be engaged to me, do YOU
And why is it just for tonight"
Scarcely needing the tenderness that
lurked in his voice. Gained myself par
TALLY and related ia detail the story Of oul
domestic woes.
80 you Sec" said in conclusion, ''you
must come to see us this evening, and you
must remember that for the time being
am your iiancee."
promised, and Sir William, perceiving
that he had long been fostering a forlorr
hope, sensibly transferred his wavering af
fections to ILL, who had such perfect conf
dence in him that she never suspected but
that the postponement of his declaration
was due wholly to his extreme diffidence
A month later they were married, ant
l4llI was tranSpiahteu lrOil uue H'uc'
abused stuffy rooms in Bedford street into
the pure air and life giving sunshine Of the
Heights.
y
1t was the haying season. In the glory
of June evening the children and went
up from the lowland meadows, where
, through the long afternoon, we had watch
cd the reapers, toward the farmhouse. Ii
the gateway familiar figure was stand
ing, and leaving the little ones, hastenet
to extend him welcome--my cousin Lee.