Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-04-22

forlorn, and he had done his best in hon
est stupidity.
"Stay!" she called impetuously. Flo
tarried in wonder II meant no unkind.
ness, sir" He came stumbling back. Il
have an intermittent trick of petulence. ;"
The light beamed into broad grin upon
his face.
Miranda shivered. He sat down squat
upon the bracken. Miranda groaned.
II wondered at your cruel words" he
began slowly. Somehow they fitted i'll
your face, which is'-he blushed -"the
sweetest have SEEM"
ooh, you are rash, said Miranda scorn-
fully. II dare swear that one with so
much knowledge as yourself has weltered
among scores Of pretty faces"
Indeed he cried, but she broke in
upon his protest
"For myself lay no claim to beauty.
Let others haunt their titles as they will
/ am we'll enough no doubt. have the
face of youth, and my eyes have no squint
in them. But l am assured you have seen
many pretty maidens."
"That is so,'' he cried eagerly, land
this the prettiest."
Miranda smiled. "You do your friends
harsh injustice" she answered. "Ihave
my years to my credit and no more, which
is virtue through which each must pass.
And what indeed is beauty, if all be told9"
"Beauty-it is pearl" he gasped and
suddenly swallowed his emotion with q
gulp.
II set no value upon pearls" said Mi
randa sedately. LET others if they will.
While the world swings on folly will ring
her bells, fools jape and gossips chatter
He watched her ardently, and siding
step nearer resumed his argument.
"You cannot tell, :" he said, with how
full heart a man regards beauty. The
tears start in his eyes at the sight, his
breath catches, and his legs fall to trem-
bling"
''Ah, is it so9" asked Miranda indiffer-
emily.
''It is with me-" he said earnestly. His
gaze embarrassed her. She turned her
head away. II have long wondered about
this love-" he stammored, land now
know
Miranda looked round at him quickly.
"What is it like?' she asked with some
interest
Abashed, he thrust his fingers through
his hair. IL beg your pardon" he
suffered, "but I have scarce the where
withal to clothe my feelings 1t makes
me-'tis like a-oh, feel-indeed and
would do anything in your behalf, he
concluded brayely.
Miranda stared at him second and
then smiled softly. He sprawled SO I'm.
calmly. Helay huge hulk of ineptitudes.
His large blue eyes were watered with af-
lection. You are very good" she MUIR
INJURED.
lis no goodness, he averred stoutly,
"but out of the very bottom of indulgent
selfshness. would sacrifice worlds for
you"
Miranda glanced at him slyly.
Would you DROWN" she asked
He nodded.
"Would you surrender me forever"
He hesitated.
Would you sell your soul for me?"
He knit his brows into frown of puzzle
mont.
Why" cried she, ''you would never
surely steal to see me smiling?"
He shook his head thoughtfully. "No,"
ho replied. '' "Twould be a wrong you
would not ask of me-"
"And if did," she insisted.
He searched her face and then, II
would hire some one else for the job, hs
declared, with sigh.
Miranda lay back on the turf and shook
with laughter Suddenly she sat up In
flash the laughter ceased. and, red and
white in turn, she tucked her bare feet
beneath her gown again.
II trust" said he an1iously, "that you
have not hurt yourself"
''Oh, no!'' she replied coldly. "Pray
continue. Your philosophy was most en-
PERTAINING You make scruple Of theft.
understand. But you could love me to
distraction. Oh, yesl You will pull down
the world for me, and you do 1t not by
your own hand. You will meet lions, and
you can find another to replace you. You
will swear and forswear and break through
tho Decalogue If you can do all these
things by substitute. Yours is wonder
full sense of passion-so new, SO strange,
SO masterful"
The young man nodded his head sagely
. lis marvellous what change love will
bring to man, but" he added doubt
fully, II would not break through the
Decalogue. dare not have another's blood
upon mo- Oh, there are many things one
dare not do nor would you ask them Why
do talk SO wildly am content to love
you If you will suffer me-"
He leaned forward and took her hand
awkwardly, looking the while into her
face with bashful affection. She snatched
her hand away and laughed impatiently
"Oh, you are too good, fair sir!' she
cried. II am not worthy of your devout
devotion. IL have sins enough upon
my head, God wot, but none SO great az
this unequal partnership would be. You
are too virtuous for such as I. You are
too composed OF discreet renunciations
Renounce once moro and save your soul
alive. Mine is the waywardness Of the
wildcat. have the passions of the des-
perado. I break through commandment
daily. I am right to my hair in sins.
Should repent should need an acre of
sackcloth and gallons Of ashes. But do
not. Thank the Lord, shall not. am
stark in my vices. plan them with re.
bellious joys. complete them with exul-
tntion. am flend In fair wig, a ghoul
In white Gown. To love me Ia to love
perdition."
He stared at her dumbly and withdrew
pace.
Indeed" said she, "you have every
reason for your fears. / fear myself. O.
nights lie awake and think Of devil.
ments. They float through my dreams, ]
pinch myself in wonder 1t be really hui
man. There is no audacity could not
dare, no shame to cause me blink"
He shuffled little farther away.
Come come" she Dried; "begone ere
l break out upon youl have the very
deuce of temper. For you and yours
see the happy valleys open. For me is the
rude path among the mountains. Get you
gone then, sir, to your happiness and the