Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-05-18
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poor. you are SOMEBODY, am nODOuy.
But the time may come when the promise
will be worth something, and l will keep
it,"
An hour before this speech was made
Frank Willard had saved Paul Holbrook' $
sistor from watery grave.
And so it came to pass that, walking
down Fifth avenue one day, they met Rose
Lewis. Frank introduced her to Paul,
they turned and walked a block with her,
and few evenings afterward Frank took
Paul to call upon her.
She was beautiful. But that tells you
nothing about the woman-the frank,
sweet, womanly woman with whom Paul
fell in love before he had known her a
month.
For awhile he did not guess that he
was in love, and so was drawn nearer and
nearer to the whirlpool until, when the
truth at last dawned upon him, there was
no retreat.
That she could care for him never en-
tered his mind. But it was true never.
theless.
Rose said, "If he cares so little for me,
I will make very sure that he does not
guess I care one whit for him." Paul
said, ''She shall never laugh at me, though
she does not love mo-"
And SO they met and parted, day after
day, and no one guessed that anything
troubled the heiress but Frank Willard,
and only two, the same Frank Willard and
Paul's sister Ruth, saw how pale Paul
grew.
They were together good deal, Frank
H;11ovI ho1 o,,4o 10
head at times that this fellow liked his
sister very well; Of late that it was possible
that he loved her. But Ruth, at II,
seemed child to him.
At last he resolved to try what charm
there might be in absence-to leave the
city, forbidding himself to meet the wom-
an he hopelessly adored-and availing
himself of an offer which promised to be q
stepping stone to his professional success
put barrier of miles of land and water
between himself and Rose Lewis.
At the same time Rose, scorning herself
for the infatuation which she could not
control, resolved to go to Europe.
The days flew by. Rose was ready for
her tour, Paul for his departure. Frank
had seen good deal Of BOTH
One morning he sat in Paul's room and
talked as people do when their minds arc
on some subject which they hesitate to
mention. At last he asked:
"Have you hidden goodby to Rose
Lewis?"
Paul flushed and shook his head
sit does not matter" he said. "We
shall not probably meet again, nor will
she care"
II think she would" said Frank. "You
will hurt her by going So"
'She will not care. Why should she?"
"Paul, you know am neither bash
full man nor coward in most cases, but
every man becomes ono or both under
somo circumstances. I have favor to
ask of you. You remember your promise
to refuse me nothing I could ask of you.
The time has come when have need of
your aid Will you give 1t to mep'
"Tcll mo what you want me to do"
~ want you to see Miss Lewis. / want
you to tell her something which / have not
tho courage to tell her myself-to tell her
a love story, in fact, and see what she says
to it. Will you do it2''
Paul stood disnayed. So Frank, her
mate in wealth, position and appearance,
loved the girl also.
II do not refuse, Frank" he faltered,
'but you Mood not fear. She will love
YOU. You are not one to sue in vain"
II am a coward" said Frank. "You
are good fellow, Paul, and you will do it.
Tell her story-this: You know a man
who has loved her long, but who has never
dared to say so. He feels that his own de-
k-~N 49, hivo RI hmm
but on tho eve of parting be can restrain
himself no longer. He must tell her that
life Is nothing without her, that her love
is the only thing worth striving for. He
must ask her in this strange way, because
he has not courage enough to do otherwise,
to bid him hope or despair. Then she will
ask who this lover is, and you may tell
her, not until then-not until all the story
of the love is told And you will bring
me the answer"
eyes"
Then he sought Miss Lewis.
"You have come to wish mo bon voy-
age9" she said ms she held out her hand,
but he only bowed and seated himself be-
side her In moment he said:
II have como upon an GRAND that will
SurpTl60 YOU, N1lbS 1lOWlos L AiA CoiiiAAo-
stoned to tell you a story.
II know a man who has loved you for O
long time" he went on. "For months he
has thought of you by day and by night
until there is but one woman in the world
to him--you. He has seen no token Of
any liking for him in your face nor heard
it In your voice, yet he would have you
hear his story and know his fate ere you
are parted from him. His name"-
He paused for an instant. In that in
slant Rose turned toward him and put her
hand In his.
my love is not worth SO much," she
said tearfully. But since you value it SO
highly 1t is yours. 1t always-has been
since first knew you."
And what could he do but take In his
arms this woman whom he adored, and
who had just admitted her love for him
under the impression that he had proposed
to her.
His utter joy and his woeful shame
mingled themselves in his soul, as, having
hidden Rose adieu, he found Frank Mil
lard waiting for him.
"How can ever make you believe that
have not played you falsef" faltered
Paul, and Frank burst into laugh.
"You have proposed to her" he said,
land she has accepted your"
Paul could not answer.
"Do you think I wanted to marry Rose"
said Frank, .sor that dreamed she would
accept nep read your hearts too we'll.
/ saw two who were made for each other
tearing themselves asunder, and I took
nd n o ~ voyYr fOoIish ,,royutco to ,,1o m