Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-08-28
FATE, THE MOCKER.

Il was in tho grounds OF the casino
ct Ostend. The woman sat there idly
plucking at her fan; the man leaned
over behind her, with his face lei her
own.
They had met but an hour since in
surprising fashion, yet they seemed 10
have bat little to say to each other, only
now and again the woman spoke, In
low tones, with a little mirthless laugh
alternating with the words. The man
answered dreamily, with his Dyes wan
dering over the scene before him.
"'You want to know what have been
doing during these years." said the
woman, with q slight sigh. "It's easily
told. After you lost sight of me-do
you remember2-I met Herrick Yeend.
He was rich, and Lob, l was tired Of
ths game of cbancesl l seemed never to
win a prize somehow. Yeend was
very nice, and r.
lyon married him" said the slow
voice behind her. wise little womani''
And you al say that5" she muir
INJURED, with a note of reproaoh in her
tones. "You would scarcely have said
90 at one time"
The man laughed, a little bitterly.
II suppose not" he said. 81 should
probably have torn my hair aud tbirsted
for the blood of the estimable Yeend.
I've grown philosophical, Bertha"
(which is only another name for for
getfulnsss-eh2"
There are some things I can never
forget even il I wished to do so" he
whispered, trying to peer into her face.
"Ahl that sounds more like Leslie OF
old days" she said, looking round al
him gratefully. 81 thought you had be,
gun 70 hate me-"
"You have never taught me to dc
that. But tell me-you are happy IL
your marriage, even though you hav'
left certain dreams behind2 l suppos'
we all drop those on our journey
through life; they are but cumbersome
luggage"
"You have grown philosophical in
decd, T" she replied, laughing. well,
don't mind telling you-you are suct
an old friend-that my married life hal
been a hideous blunder."
Rather sweeping" said tho man
sending a long wreath of smoke ont intC
the night air, land decidedly strong. ;
"Not o bit too strong" she replied
calmly. at was all right at FIRST; after
ward il developed into a nightmare,
from which l have never awakened. ;
She shuddered q little and sighed, ant
then went on, in a lighter tone: "Well
we won't talk about 1t. Tell me of your
self. What have you been doing9"
"Oh, I've been wandering In the sam,
aimless fashion about the world, writ
ing poems which nobody reads, painting
pictures which no man buys, gambling
a little, running into debt a great deal.
"And you are not marriedf" sh'
csked.
"No; I'm not married." he SAT-
slowly, looking at her. Did you expec
that l should bel"
She did not answer for q moment
she only looked shyly up at him, wit
a flush on her face
poor boyi" she murmured at last
softly. II remember that you were aw
fully fond Of me-in those old days"
"Yesi / was fond Of you, " replied th
man. without looking at her.
II SO that tn spite Of your advice l
me you still carry some Of your dreams
she said wistfuliy.
Some Of them." he said.
"And you arc still fond Of me, Lee
liei'' abe said
"Can you doubt itf"
"You poor boy. l treated you yer
I'LL. L. AZ IA Aaxta 49, k.Nlw a,
deed. Iwish I could make Il up 10 you.
Something In the tender, regreth
Vcice touched the mani he bent near
to Der.
''And you thought l had forgotten a
about you. You thought 1 could forgeti
he Whispered.
She looked down the lAmplit pat
and suddsnly sat upright and stif.
"0o away now" she whispere
"Yeend Is coming. 1 can see his hgu
in the distance Come back 10 me agai
IwAnt 10 talk to you"
She was sitting quito calmly, on
IDENTIFY very much bored, when her hu
band came slowly along the path al
stood before her.
"Welli" she said questioningly, CLAN
ing up at him
ITS all hnlahed." he said In y hs
low voice. This Is the and"
"You don't mean she began.
II mean. he broke in, that / ha
Lost tonight " heavily ~ before-mo
heavily, In fact I have 80 francs left
Thirty francSi" she ~ejaculat
heroely.
THAT Il all. I wanted 10 saYo enouI
to get us some dinner and-And car
us elsewhere in the morning. The hol
bill-well, well forget IL"
He laughed grimly, and the WON
Ghuddesed
80 this is the end. she said slow
without looking at him. "beggaFy a
shameful flight and nothing In the I
tura This II all you have 10 offer me
Eve M stil together, Bertha.
said. looking At her hopelessiy.
"Bahl That Is the worst part Of II
she sAid sOornfully. Rich, you We
tolHrsble; but. poor She made
qniok er'ure Of disgust and turn
And you can say this 10 me q