Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-04-30
PATRICE & co.

Mr.. Alexander Paxton was in town for
six weeks. He had been charge datfaires
for an intolerable time at certain small
capitalize city had seemed at all times
the reverse Of capital to Paxton-and
now this morning he was having an in
terview with an important person.
The new berth was twice as valuable as
the last, and the heart of Alexander Pax
ton beat pleasantly. Even in the diplo-
matte service.promotion sometimes comes.
''You are married, I think, Mr.. Pax.
ton?'' said the important person. "You
must bring Mrs.
Excuse me-" said Paxton, flushing.
NO, am not yet married"
"Ohr' But the person seemed scarcely
inclined to credit the assertion. 1t con-
ficted with an mpression-erroneous
but still an impression-that he had got
into his head. "Oh, that's singular, now.
"It is singular" confessed Paxton.
II should have preferred married man
for the post" The person blew gently
on the edge of his eyeglass a snatch Of a
popular air. II should have much pre-
ferred, very much preferred-- In fact, I'm
afraid in this case it's almost indispensa-
ble."
Its an omission that can perhaps be
remedied," interrupted Alexander Pax
ton hastily. He became quite nervous at
the mere thought of losing the appoint
ment. IF you think it would be advisa-
ble."
IT do; dc" with an air of great relief.
"Thank you, Mr.. Paxton That's better.
You'll hurry affairs on, will your Get the
event over before you sail If possible.
That's right. Shall we say good morning.
Good morning. Call in again before you
20 and leave your address now with one
Of the secretaries. This is your stick,
think?"
Mr. Paxton came out into Whitehall
with mixed air Of citation and perplexity,
He walked nearly to Charing Cross before
he remembered that he was going in the
wrong direction. Then he returned. The
only woman In London refused him last
night-she still seemed to him the only
woman in London-but he would try her
again.
'Scott!" cried Paxton.
1t was only hanson going swiftly by
that caused the exclamation. A face looked
over the splashboard-a girlish face with
a bonnet atop that looked like, not bon
net, but nero accidental bunch of flow
ers. Mr.. Paxton hailed an empty cab.
Here, hansom!"
Fright you are, sir Same old keh.
Same old driver"
do you see that cab going along there
with the yellow wheelsp"
-. - Yook bx novor hco cirDti
'.That's it. Catch it up and follow 1t. "
I'm on 1t, SIR"
f Alexander Paxton sat in his hanson,
and as 1t went along quickly he thought.
There's no one else, he said to HIM
self. She said No last night at the
Buffers but we parted very good friends.
"A woman whose husband has been dead
for three years ought to marry again. III
call at her fiat in Victoria street, anyhow"
But the cab with the yellow wheels went
past Victoria street. 1t went past Victoria
station. 1t pulled up eventually at an ar
tistic little shop with name over the
Windoy-Patrice
Mr.. Paxton paid his cabman and sent
him of. When he was tired of waiting,
he took long breath and went into the
shop.
what can we have the pleasure Of
showing you, sir''
Alexander Paxton looked around the
shop. She was not there. One or two Gus
toners were there examining furniture
and wall papers, but she was not to be
seen.
II wanted to see''- he began hesitat-
ingly.
"MadameS Certainly, sir. Will you step
this way, pleasep"
Mechanically Paxton followed into a
pleasant little place, half Office, half room.
She rose from desk and thrust her pencil
between the folds of her bodice.
MY dear, are you, then, Nine. Patrice'"
why, yes, Mr.. Paxton. You didn't
know, dare say"
Thought you had money of your own"
$50 have. But have to earn It, One
has to work for living nowadays, you
know, but 1t doesn't do to brag about 1t. A"
She flushed rather prettily--Y gift of the
gods that is rare-and seemed nervous,
"po you know" she went on, II am
glad to see you again. wanted to ask
you about your late berth, but last night
we were-we were speaking Of other mat
ters."
1--WE WERE" acknowledged Alexander
Paxton. "And am quite ashamed of
myself to come to you again. But love
you so much, my dear, dear
She went hastily to the door Of the office
and closed 1t carefully.
"And you told me that you did care for
me, and II that is go really cam see why
in the world we shouldn't be happy"
He told her frankly of the mornings
interview in Whitehall. She sat on the
other side Of her desk, and leaning for
ward In her chair clasped one knee and
looked straight before hcr. A line or two
OF worry showed on her white forehead
"Do you mind" she said when he had
finished, lido you mind II say once n,cre
Nor T"
"Yes, I do, dear"
She sighed and opened a drawer OF her
desk.
lam glad to believe that you do mind
III you won't marry me, shall give
up the appointment. I must chance soine-
thing else turning up. Only ! should like
to have had It. And do love you, dsar,
and would
"The firm Of Patrice & Co., " she replied,
with affectation Of light heartedness,
s'must not listen to these things. II Ii not
art furniture and 1t is not decoration.