Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1895-04-04
BELLS OF FOLLY.

ing. The grassy slope shelved down in.
to the valley, where the wood lay black
and still. Daffodils nodded and cow
slips bowed as she passed Oh her way.
A lark got up and rose, singing to
heaven She sped out of the shadow and
into tho sunlight, and the sound of her
young laughter fioated down the val
ley. Echoes joined it there, and the lit
tie ravine gurgled with merriment. Mi
randa stopped, with her chin i'll the
air, and listened. Was it all the echo
of her own delight, or was it something
more? The peal of her mocllery died i'll,
to the somber copse, and out of it, fresh
and clear, voice trilled morrily on its
upward way Miranda stood and wait
ed.
He came up the bank of wild flowers,
his face bright with the love of life and
laughter, and at the sight of her he
paused. The two faced each other for
awhile in silence, and then smile ran
round Miranda's lips, and the young
mans eyes sparkled with merriment.
II took your laughter for signal, "
said he, making bis boaming salutations,
"but l reckoned little upon SO charming
an assignation.
"It was but signal of the spring,
sir, +" says she, with dainty bow
May" he replied. II make no such
distinctions between the seasons. l
laugh the whole year through. 1t is the
manner of the wise. You will perceive
my jocund humor, fair mistress. Be-
lieve me, tits not tho whim of an hour
oontrived by the guiles Of spring
morning, but very settled disposition
of tho mind. am broad based upon
gayety."
'Ah, to be gay!" cried Miranda. "To
be gay is to live. -
''Life is at our feot." said the merry
youth. II take an infinite pleasure in
its complexities. Believe me, nothing
should matter, save the twinkling Of all
eye or the dimpling Of cheek. -
"You are right, said Miranda, smil.
ing. "How can one have enough Of
laughter"
''We are of one mind, " he answered
pleasantly. ''Lot us go into our corner
and be merry together. -
"Why not?" says Miranda. "Why
not?'
"There arc 10000 pleasures in this
silly world" he went on, "and, fot
myself, l have not yot exhausted tho
tenth part Of them. Count my years.
then, and make threescoro and ten the
dividend, and what remains? Pack them
into the hours never SO neatly, and yol
will not exhaust the store. And that is
why am spendthrift Of pleasures. !
eke not out my delights. would burn
20 in straw hat out of sheer caprice
and toss dozen to tho ducks upon the
lake for pity"
''Yos, yes," agreed Miranda.
'Time'' he continued, with fno
scorh, "timo has discovered us con.
spiracy Of the ages to inthrono this mel
ancholy. But we arc no traitors to our
rightful being, you and ], and we will
clap crown upon the hoad Of laughter,
and lay the usurper by tho heels in his
proper dungeon. .
"He were better there," replied Mi
randa thoughtfully.
"There is never q care, ho resumed,
upon which we may not trample, not
a trouble which we may not forget
What fool is he who would nurse his
sorrow and not bury it in the deepest
gravel"
"What q focl!' murmured Miranda
dreamily.
"Should one loso friend? A fig for
friendshipl'' quoth ho. "Does one cast
a lover? A snap for u hundred loyersl
What has been remains, and what Is
shall be. {"
Miranda said nothing
Subtract love from life, said tho
young man, "and life remains. l would
have the world know that love is a
pleasant cipher, all amiable and enter
tanning mood, and that life is left when
love is lost There is no love- It were
more truly writ in the plural and spell.
ed with small letter"
Miranda turned upon him swiftly.
"Fiel Fiov' said she, and the light
flashed in her eyes. II know nothing
of this love, but dare swear there be
things that matter. Take these from
life, and what will rest over? Is there
not sorrow, and is there not pain? Is
there not remorse, and is there not
the thing called sin? / know nothing Of
these. I am too young to tho world.
But there they stand, sir, importuning
at our doors with outstretched arms,
and one has only to lift the latch to let
them in. You would deny the very pulse
of human nature when you ignore these
evils. You would forswear the very
weaknesses which have composed for
you your sentiments.
In the excitement of her retort MI
randa's face flushed and grew bright.
Wide eyed the young man stared at her
and forgot to laugh, and when she hsd
done his head dropped, and he sighed.
''Ah." she said. you sigh. You
yourself have felt and suffered. You