Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-11-14
THE LAST KISS.

ruddy CLEAN of the hickory logs in the wide
chimney, and there was needed no further
illumination than their fitful glow.
Wax candles or chandeliers would have
been out Of place in the snug little parlor.
where rose geraniums filled the windows
and red berried holly sprigs framed the
mirror.
Certainly they couldn't haveimproved on
Fanny Orme.
She would have looked no lovelier in dia-
monds or point d 'alencon.
Frank Ashton, standing before her in the
bright reflection of the fire, was not what
women call handsome Dark and strongly
built, with careless brown masses Of hair
and gray blue eyes-this was his photo
graph; yet Fanny Orme had rejected all
the village exquisites to nestle at last in
the brave, honest heart of Frank Ashton.
Just at present, however, to judge from
appearances, the course of true love was
not running in its smoothest channel
Frank looked grave, and Fanny's rose red
lips were curved in a very gentle pout.
''Now, Fanny. don't be crossv' said the
young soldier, and he took her hand caress-
ingly. 1t was drawn away, however, with
decided jerk.
tits too badp' said the queen Of hearts.
"All the other girls are going, and it will
be the last, last sleigh ride we shall have
together"
"Well, why don't you 60 without me,
FAM I'll promise not to be jealousp'
"Without your Indeed, no! But, Frank,
you will gop'
mo, Fanny" he said, with resolute
a., NJ 1,S,f fht,
less must be true to duty. You know
that Allen Thorn is the dearest friend !
have. You know that he lies at the point
Of death. have promised to watch with
him this night. could find no substitute
to undertake the charge, even were to at
tempt it. Fanny, love, don't ask me to do
wrong"
Fanny pouted still and turned her face
away.
kiss me goodby, Fanny. Wemarch to-
morrow, and shall not see you again."
ut will make no difference to you," said
Miss Orme, coldly, 'since you refuse to &C.
cede tony wishes in SO slight matter
'Come Fanny, don't be cruel to poor
fellow who lives on the light Of your smile.
II you don't give me that kiss, shall Ger.
tainly steal it,"
Steal It'll The man would have been
brave to steal q kiss under the frigid spar
kle that had suddenly dawned in those
eyes. Frank Ashton caught the glance and
drew himself proudly up.
GOOD night, Miss Orme."
'Good night, Mr.. Ashton"
And thus they parted.
The door had hardly closed ere the proud
| young beauty threw herself down on the
footstool in the angle of the chimney aud
cried heartily. Nor did the jingle of merry
sleighbells, whirling past en- route for the
| make her feel any kinder toward the de-
| linquent Frank.
ANY news from the til regimentw
| Fanny Orme had paused to ask the ques-
tion of Malvina Grigg, the village bulletin
and gossip general, who knew most things
as soon as they had happened. and some
things little sooner.
| "Newss Law, yes! Hain't ye heerdi
They was in that scrimmage-all cut to
pieces, and-gracious, what fool I bel'
For Fanny had sunk on doorstep, pale
and trembling. Did she remember how
she parted from Frank Ashtoni
From that moment the days succeeded
one another like a sick delirium. Fanny
Orme felt that her life's sun had gone down
in sea Of blood. If she, too, could die and
be at restl
HE died like man-died gloriouslyi
Don't cry, Fanny Oh, should be so proud
of my dead soldier'
But Fanny needed not the whispered
words of her friend.
LET me see him once before they screw
down the coffin lid-just once. loved him
so dearlyr'
She broke through the crowd to where
the coffin stood, draped in solemn black
and overhung by stars and stripes.
Frank, Frank, could you but speak from
heaven to forgive me! would have laid
down my life for YOUR
Hushl The dismal funeral cortege had
faded away-the solemn dead march sound.
ed no morel And she was sitting in the
rudy darkness, with the cricket's chirp in
her ears and the old clock strikingo.
y
Then 1t had been all dreaml II ever 4
prayer Of thanksgiving went up to the
eternal throne 1t assembled from Fanny
Orme's grateful heart through tho quiet
| BCdFS OIL UuAU 4JSCoIuUcF ulkQU one knew
her fault now. The lesson had not sumo 10
vain.
All ready to START The last accoutsr1nent
1uckled on-the last goodby-and Frank
Ashton was leaning against the blasted
pine tree beyond the depot, watching thu
slow crimsoning Of the east and waiting
for the bugle call to sound "Awayr'
And all the while he was thinking, will
sore heart, of Fanny Orme.
There was touch on his arm. He turned
scarce able in the purple dawn gloom t.
see who was at his side.
Harry Orme, Is it your"
"She would make me comet" laughed tn,
young man. ''Here, Fanny, you can finisl
the business for yourself"
Frank" murmured tremulous voice
twill you forgive mew
Fanny, my love! my darlingi'
Well, it was almost worth while to quar-
rel just for the sake of such moment n
that.
And when at last the silver throated Blu
!, gle sounded "Away" the last kiss wa
sweetest Of all.
j And Fanny's dream never 'came true ~