Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1896-08-10

panions vanished as suddenly as they
had come.
Zone month later was almost worn
out with the entertainments furnished
by my sister in her efforts to make my
visit pleasant. There was to be one more
dance, probably the last, as we were to
start homeward the first of the following |
week. Paul had been visiting relatives
and had Just returned in time to take
part.
''As the wagons drove up at the door
Of the inn where the dance was to be
held heard young lady, a friend OF
my sisters, call out:
"'Why, where has Mr.. Meredith
gomez But thought nothing about it
then.
"The dancing had been going on for
only short time when this young lady
came up to me and, with tones suggest
i've of vexation or pique, said:
"'Mr. Meredith wishes to be intro
duced to you.
''Mr. Meredith then asked me to
dance with him, and not once but many
times we danced together. He was an
admirable dancer Yet could hardly
hear what he said SO perplexed was l,
wondering where Icould have heard his
voice before But at length as he ex-
tended his hand l glanced down and
saw small cross cut on the diamond
of his ring.
"My dears, I almost tainted outright.
But to the end he acted the part of a
gentleman. He led me to window and
stood talking while he shielded my agi
whirling couples.
"Nothing was said for several min
utes. In my foolish heart was trying
to think of some romantic reason that
would account for his mode Of life. His
face, from which the beard and mus
tache were gone, looked like that of
some boyish Sir Galahad, not like that
Of criminal. His kindly brown eyes
shone on me with world of laughing
in them.
"'Well he said smilingly At the
same moment I caught sight of Paul in
the doorway talking to a man whom l
did not know and with earnest gestures
pointing to my partner. Paul, too, had
recognized him.
Though my heart was beating so
| hard that could not speak, motioned
| to Mr.. Meredith to finish the dance,
| and when we reached the side nearest
the opposite door I stopped
"'Bend down your head, whis-
pered family. Some one has recog-
nized you. l saw them. You must
! 60 Ny voice trembled, am sure.
"'Must?' he said slowly, still snil-
ing. Then he frowned. But the smile
came back instantly as he glanced at
me as stood pale and trembling. Poor
little girl!' he said so divided be-
tween sense Of duty and pity for a
poor wretch like me- Come--a bargain,
child! One more dance all around the
room and back here and will go.
"'You ought to go now, faltered.
"'Not until we finish this dance, he
said firmly.
"He supported me almost entirely as
| he whirled around the room, or be-
lieve that should have slipped to the
floor.
"'Now, gol' whispered in perfect
terror.
'Goodby' he said earnestly I shall
never forget you. Think of me as kindly
as you Can.
'He had vanished in the darkness,
and none too soon. A few minutes later
the sheriff and two of his men appeared,
fully armed; but Mr.. Meredith was no
| where to be found-nor did any one
ever discover how he had escaped.
Grandmother sighed softly.
IT have always been glad to know he
escaped, " she added
'Is that all?"
"Yes, except that after the notice Of
my marriage had been inserted in the
papers received an express package
containing diamond ring with q cross
[ cut in its surface.
The girls were silent for few mo.
ments, and then began with exclama.
tions of delight at the story, romantic
beyond anything they had expected.
Then said saucy Irene, with twinkle
in her eyes:
Grandmother, darling, I'll wager
anything that you never told grandfa,
ther all this story"
The pink blush spread over grand.
mothers face, but the dear old soul
would not lie even to point a moral
NO, my dear girls, she said, slowly.
"It was very wrong, no doubt, but
never did. Minnie G. Hale in Brook
| lvn EAGLE.