Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-10-25
HE KISSED HER.

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II know story" said my friend
(which proves considerable number Of
great truths"
For instance?"
SWELL, it proves that circumstances
alter cases, and that women are unrea
sonable beings, and that everything de-
ponds upon the point of view"
Anything else?"
1T also proves that long engagements
are mistake and that there are some
trifes about which a man does better to
deceive his wife. 2"
1T must certainly be your own story
If it proves all that you say" said.
"Why don't you write it out-make a
book of it, for example, and call it 'Ev-
cry Man His Own Don Juan?'"
But my friend protested.
1t wasn't quite so bad as that" he
said. "I'll tell you about it if you like
and you can judge"
So I agreed to listen, and he told me.
"Ours was long engagement, but at
last we ended it.
"You broke it off,"
No, no. we married. 1t is not an un-
usual alternative, I believe, and on the
whole it has turned out very we'll. I
don't complain. Only there have been
awkward moments. suppose there
nearly always are. Moments, for in
stance, when my wife has asked me if I
have ever loved before.
"There is stereotyped answer to that
question, my FRIEND" interposed.
II know. I used the cliche. I was
even prepared if necessary to have the
cliche printed and framed and glazed
and hung up in the bedroom. But the
matter did not end there. Pauline was
always fishing for confessions Had
always been faithful TO her during that
long engagement in thought as we'll as
act? If not, must tell her-I must con-
fess. She was sure there hadn't been
anything serious, and she would forgive
me. I muslin think that she wanted to
live in FOOLS paradise.
"And do you mean to tell me that
you are actually capable Of believing
woman when she says that she doesn't
want to live in FOOLS paradise?'
~"Not now, not now. should always
use the cliches now. But was holder
then
More rash, you mean"
more rash, then, If you prefer the
word. You see, the truth was so very
unimportant, and she might be imagin-
ing something so very serious. So
thought that if told her it would clear
the clouds away"
"You didn t understand that women
are happier in wondering what is behind
the clouds than in discovering definite
spots upon the sun?'
"Not then. Besides it was rather a
funny story in it's way and I relied on
Pauline s sense Of humor. She had often
told me that she had more sense of hu-
NOR than the average woman"
every woman" insisted, sis an
average woman in her appreciation Of
certain kind Of funny story. But what
was the exact story that you had to
tell?"
And he told me all about it, quoting,
SO far as his memory served him, tho
exact words in which he had told it to
his wife.
1T is nothing SO very terrible, Pau
line, I said. Such trifie that, till
you questioned me, I had forgotten all
about it.
"'But you must tell me, she urged.
oh, yes, you must tell me Or shall be
afraid that it is something dreadful
All! Well then, in that case must
confess, Isaid. 1t was long time ago,
when we were engaged-that summer,
you know, when I was travelling in
Switzerland. ] was staying for few
days at the little hotel that stands be-
side the falls Of Tosa, in the Val Far
mazza. There was a girl there--a beau
tiful girl like you, dear, only in differ
emit way-a sweet, helpless, clinging lit
tie thing, with a complexion like a
peach in bloom, and the very loveliest
auburn hair.
"'You mean red hair. hate il! I
think it very uglyv she exclaimed
My friend, that jarring note ought
to have warned you," I remarked.
II know. It frightened me, and I
tried to stop, but Pauline would not let |
me-"
And he resumed his narrative.
81 hate red hair too, az general
rule, because your hair is black told
her. But it pleased me then. You see,
was travelling quite by myself, and |
was feeling lonely and was glad to find
'ome one whom I could talk to. So I
broke the ice at dinner, and afterward
;he girl and always chatted with each
,ther when we met.
"'You quite forgot to tell her that
7ou were engaged to me, I supposed?
Pauline inquired.
II had Of course. That was the whole
Joint Of the story, and it was inartistic
4 Pauline to pretend to be surprised.
lid not reproach her for that, however,
nut continued.
"'No, dearest. II I had told her,
here would have been no confession for
,ou to wiring from me now. If l had told
Ter, she would never have walked out
With me that night to watch the moon
light shining on the waterfall. But she
anne, and we sat on rock together liz
ening to it's music You must not be
ngry with me, Pauline, for I have been
orry ever since. You must rather pity
ne for being weak. For the whole air
eemed full Of poetry aud passion, and !