Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-12-11

champagne in the exuberanoe of my graf
itude toward him. After that went home
and wrote short story-a story based on
the foregoing facts but which ended bet
ter than this one does In my reveries-
remember how young I s!-I already
exalted Miss Holt into Beatrice,
Laura, an inspiration. Eastbourne was
now Arcadia OF Alexander Selkirk' is
land according to whether was with her
or not.
After three days Charlie went back to
town. l did not care. My footing with
the Hollis was now established, and pro-
vided myself wifi the newest reviews and
magazines to lend them when we met.
The old lady always gave smile of pleas
ure when approached. She liked me.
Good morning, Mrs. Holt. And how
are you today"
"Ah, Mr.. Grahame, how dye do?
Thank you, had good night. East
bourne Is making me quite we'll"
Have you seen this weeks illustrated
something? There are some capital
sketches from the war.
"Oh, you are very kind. should like
to look at Them" And she would peruse
the paper while her daughter and con-
versed So for fortnight As yet had
dropped no hint Of my profession. 1t
charmed me to reflect how much closer 1t
would bring me to Patricia when she
knew but wished to delay the pleasure,
to play with It, 1t was silly but the sup
preston had a fascination for me. could
picture her big eyes opening when cas-
ually mentioned the fact that was a lit
erary man, that had written ewes d.
lemma." I could hear her exclaim, "Oh,
why did you not tell me before?" and see
her start of interest and surprise. In
imagination told her in 30 ways. In one
came upon her crying-this was my IA
vorite way-and I begged her to tell me
what was the matter. "What is itp" I
bad newsp"
She smiled and brushed her tears aside.
II am very foolish" she said. 'Don't
laugh at me, but this book has affected me
more powerfully than anything of the
kind have read for years. You know it
Of courseY" and she pointed to the familiar
cover Of my fifth edition. took 1t up
carelessly. "You make ME very proud
I answered.
"Proud?'
IT wrote it-that is why. am SO glad
it pleases you"
"You are Eric EvershedS'
She put out her hand, and my own
clasped 1t. There was fervor in her face
that I had never seen there, new mag
netism in her gaze. "Oh!" she gasped
and then
Yes, that was my favorite way, and
somehow she was in my arms, and was
imploring her to be my wife.
One morning lit cigar and went out
to commune with the ocean.
tramped along the parade and thence
to the seawall, and then as was on the
point Of descending to the beach saw
Miss Holt sitting on one Of the benches
with half closed eyes.
Fate was smiling on me indeed! For
the first time she was unaccompanied, and
at such time!
"Miss Holt!'
"Mr. Grahame!" She welcomed me
with delicious little start. "How you
frightened me!'
~ could scarcely believe 1t was YOU" I
said II thought you never went out in
the afternoon"
~ do not often, but my mother was
asleep and the weather tempted me.
She put her hand OH book as she spoke.
Was dreaming, or was my fancy picture
realizedp was not dreaming-the book
was Gives Dilemma" My heart rose
into my throat.
There was nomentary pause between
U.S. For the life Of me was unable, even
then, to resist the pleasure Of delaying the
announcement Of my identity. First ]
would tell her that loved her.
"How glad am that ] came this wayP'
said. "Do you know that was think
ing Of you and wishing 1t were tomorrow
| already"
The proposal scenes in my books have
always evoked encomiums, but somehow
by word Of mouth, In propria persona,
was unable to be equally happy. I drew
diagram with my walking stick on the
sand. I fixed my eyes desperately on the
futile waves. could not find the words
to go on, and my silence was becoming
ridiculous. The yellow cover Of ewes
Dilemma" offered me resource.
lis it good-this books'' asked.
"No; 1t is intolerably stupid. Why do
people write such thingsf"
| 1t was a hot day-a burning, breathless
day, but do not think ever experienced
more violent sensation Of cold before or
since.
"Ahl" said, and put the volume slow
" down.
No; did not propose to her. went
back to town the following morning, and
never saw her, to speak to- again. But
never forgot her, never forgot the expert
ence, and Atherly is bound by the most
solemn oath never to divulge to Miss Holt
that the author Of ewes Dilemma" and
Mr.. Grahame were one and the same man.
| st. Paul's.