Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-04-19

asked the Butterfly almost IN q whisper.
Tho author covertly pointed as no
answered, THAT man talking to your
mother. "
"Ohr' said the Butterfly as she blueh-
cd. Then she added, Books aren't o
bit like life, are they?'
This ono Is, " insisted tho author.
1T will be a horrid boNk" said the
Butterfly.
"Abominable. " assented the author.
They both sighed.
Nothing at all happened?'' she ask
Cd again.
"Hc was not killed in the hunting
field, said the author.
mot even after ever so many years
-threo or four, | mean7"
"No, nerer. Ho lived on"
The Butterfly was looking attentive
ly at the man who was talking to her
mother.
1T will be a horrid book, she said,
with q little shudder.
"But you couldn't help yourself. He
was so sp~lendidly rich, you see.
WAS livery awfulg''
Dull as ditch water. You'd never
cared for him, you see.
Hadn't II" asked tho Butterfly.
There was a pause. Then the Butter
fly, with yet another glance across tho
room. added in a whisper:
why do you write it if it's horrid?''
"Why do your asked tho author.
The Butterfly unbuttonod her glovo
and button,d it again.
Were you always broken hoarted?'
sho asked.
ITO tho very end"
"And were you always poor?"
The author smiled.
IL mado a most wonderful success, -
said he drcamlly, with q book that
camo out exactly one week after the
wedding"
Then you wero an author in the
book toog''
"The portrait Of me is exact in every
particular, " said he.
"And Of me-is it?'' asked tho But
terhy, still engaged with her glove.
well, is it?" asked tho author.
"Aro you m~ercenary?"
"A little, " said the Butterfly. with {
pout.
"worldly?"
Il like nice things, " said the Butter.
fly, with a sigh.
shallow hearted?" asked tho an.
thor, bending down to her.
"Well can you see to the bottom o.
it," she asked.
"I'm trying. There's something
right at the bottom
rs there?" she asked, and she open
cd her fan.
II wonder if 1 could dive in and &c
itp'
II shouldn't do that. 1 should let i
stay" said the Butterfly.
"Really?'' asked the author.
"Perhaps. " said tho Butterfly.
And the book?"
"Don't write it, whispered the But
terhy.
At this moment the mother of til
Butterfly and the man opposite rose.
Unjust 60, " said the Butterfly. TT
funny l met you. 1--we seen 30
about SO often"
I've seen you about. too" said th
author.
The mother of the Butterfly and tn
man were close now.
"If 1 write the book. may I send 20
a copy?' asked the author.
1.-THE book, a" said the Butterfly, 81
not to be written, I" and she turned mo-
g~raciously u the man as he approached
. TLn n,,fI1r lnu,oJ ord ocoopr1
"I'vo been telling your mother VIII
that fellow is, " said tbs a
' Eyes" said the Buttsrfly's mothe'
with u significant air; Il was mistake
d about him. He's Just a-writer'-
"Of very stupid books, " said the MAJ
y Tho Butterfly looked at him for o
instant. Then she observed in a distai
> manner, "Well, I've just prevented hi
writing a stupider ono still"
10 "What about" he asked.
Cautiously enough-you," returnC
the Butterfly.
o "Confound himl What would he ha7
said about me?'
Nothing. " said the Butterfly, Wi
s. marked emphasis, ''that is in the vel
20 lest likely to be true. So / told him
leave you out. But l said he mig
10 write about me If he liked"
docs he want to?" asked her mothe
"Why, yes, l think So" smiled Il
or Butterfly.
"Itwon't be a bit more true" grow
ed the man.
j. II don't know about that, " said t
Butterfly, and she smiled again.-A
thony Hope in National Observer.
10
Agreed with His Cross Examiner.