Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-02-14
THE LIAR.

never loved but one woman 1 pass
ed FIVE years with her in perfect happi-
ness. I can truly say that to her 1 owe
my success, because of my freedom from
care and because she imbued me with
some Of her great ambition. From the
first moment we met it seemed to me
that 1 had always loved her. Her beauty
and character answered all my dreams.
That woman never left mo. She died in
my house, in my arms ard still loving
me. But when l think Of her it drives
me mad. If 1 attempt to describe her as
she was during the five years, in al tho
glory of her 1--we, with her tall, svelto
figure, her clear cut features, like an
oriental jews, her luminous, pale face,
her cheerful talk, her voice soft and
sweet as her glance; if 1 try to bring
again to my mind that vision of delight,
it is only TO say hate herl
Her name was Clotilde. In tho house
in which l first met her she was known
as Mime. Delocho, the widow Of q cap
tain long since dead. She appeared to
have travelled extensively. IN her con
versation she would sometimes say,
"Whcn l was at Tampico, or, perhaps,
''Once during a raid in Valparaiso"
Aside from these remarks nothing in
her manner, in her language, suggested
anomadic lifc-nothirg Of that disorder
and hurry incident to quick departures
or untimely arrivals. She was a Paris
ian, dressed always with exquisite taste,
without q burnoose or those eccentric
sernpes by which y recognizes the
wives Of officers and marines who arc
perpetually on tho move.
When I found that l loved her, my
only idea was to ask her hand in mar
riage. A friend spoke to her for me.
She replied simply hat she should never
marry. Thenceforth l avoided places
where / would see her, and rs l was toe
unhappy to work l resolved to so away.
/ was making preparations for depar-
ture, when, m morning, in the midst
Of the confusion of packing, Nine. De
loche entered my apartment.
"Why do you 20 away?' she asked.
Because you love me? 1 also love you,
only"-here her voice trembled a little
-"only l am married" And she told
me her history.
1t was % story Of love and dcscrtion.
Her husband was dissipated. He had
beaten her. They separated at the end
Of three years. Her family, Of whom
she seemed very proud, occupied high
positions in Paris, but since her mar
rage they lad disownod her. She wa
a niece Of tbs grand rabbi. Her sister,
widow Of all officer of high rank, had
married for a second husband the gen.
eral Of the guard at st. Germain. As
for herself, financially ruined by hel
husband, she had fortunately been high
" educated and possessed several &c
complishments, of which she now made
use. She gave lessons in music in thu
wealthy families Of the Chausee d'AntiI
and the Faubourg st. German.
Her story was touching, but quit
long, full of the pretty ropetitions nn'
interminable incidents which crowd III
talk Of women. 1 hired a pretty it'll
house in the Avenue de lImperatrice.
passed the first year listening to her
looking at her, without thinking o
work. 1t was she who first urged mo /
enter my studio and fired me with am
bition to become n great artist. | coul
not induce her TO give up her pupils
This independence touched me deeply
/ admired the proud soul which mad
me feel a little Inundated before ia
expressed wish to owe nothing oxccp
TO her own exertions. We were thu
separated every day.
With what happiness / roturncd home
80 impatient when sho was late, S
happy when l found her there befOr
mel From her pupils in Paris sh
brought me rare flowers. / often force
her 10 accept some present, but sh
laughingly said that she was richer tina
/, and the lessons must have been yer
profitable, for she always dressed wit
great elegance anG always in blaci
which she wore through coquetry on az
count Of her complexion.
Her beauty was enhanced by heav
v%elvets, shining jets, lustrous satins an
masses of silky laces. All her pupll
daughters Of bankers and fnancieri
adored and respected her, and more tina
once she showed me a bracelet, a bang
or a piece OF lace which Il Of them Ia
given her.
Except when at work, we were nev'
separated. Only ON Sunday she went
st. GERMAN TO see her sister. the vii
Of the general, with whom, long ng'
she had made her peace. l accompanie
her TO the station. She returned I'll
same evening, and often, when the day
were long. we would make "a rendezvou
and 20 20 row ON the water or for
walk In the woods. She would tell m
about her visit. how pretty the childre
were aud how happy they all were L
Rether. II seemed 20 make her so III
happy that / redoubled my, tenderness i
order TO mako her forget her sorrow