Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-02-28
THE COLONEI1S WIFE.


Tho rupture was all about d two acre
field. Colonel FairhOlmo, J. p, wanted
It to fill out u dent in his ring fence,
and Sir George Warburton stepped in
and bought il over his head.
"And you can consider your engage
ment at an end, sir, " the colonel wrath
fully informed his nephew and heir.
mo daughter of that sneak's shall 10
mistress Of Droadwater."
Then Evelyn and Dick held IA council
Of wal OH u neutral stile.
"I've had similar instructions, " said
the girl. They're very much incensed
at present, but it won't last. Within six
weeks somebody will be giving II recon-
ciliation dinner party. l know the dear
old things so we'll"
But before the month was out Colonel
Fairholme was on his way to Australia.
During the first few weeks after his
arrival in Melbourne he communicated
regularly either with his maiden sister
on with Dick. Then there WAS a gap for
a couple of mails, and Dick was getting
uneasy and ~meditating II cable of in-
quiry when the a~nxiously expected lot
ter arrived.
Ny DEAR DOY-I have n piece Of news for
you which, ! dhrc say, will surprise you very
much. After being n confirmed bachelor Tor
nearly Gu years l have found my better hnlf ht
last. l maGe her acquaintance at the table
d'hote here and We were married last hoiday.
The lady A. B, great deal younger than my
self, and ! may Ray, without b~OastinR. Us
charming In disposition aH she Is IL appear
ance. You cannot fail To like hor, and i am
sure you will both be the best Of friends.
We arv leaving In n fortnight by the Ornuz,
80 you will know when to expect us.
HoEACE F~AIEHoIdE-
p. s.-Pleaso break the news gently rs yOu
can to your aunt. II. f..
A few duys after the letter came q
brief note for Dick:
Just Il fow lines to catch tho mail.
There is a tiresome delay i'll the final
arrangements, and l find that l cannot
leave ~ soon AS 1 hoped. rs the berths
are already booked Tor Ormuz. Adele
will come ON alone with hor maid.
Meet her at Southampton. l shall fol-
low by next orient boat"
Dick wondered "a little at the arrange
ment, but did not fail to meet his un-
cle's wife when the time arrived. She
was q tall woman Of 2S or 80, undeni-
ably handsome and DESTROYS Of winning
the good graces uf her husband s nephew.
Nevertheless Dick did not take u
fancy to her. III fact, she rather repealed
him. However, she quite won Miss
Fairholme' simple SOU by compliment
ing her upon her housekeeping and re-
fusing to interfere with such admirable
management, also she professed great
interest in the estate.
II am 50 fond Of the country, " she
told them. land your English scenery
is so picturesque and homelike. | prom
Use myself a ramble every morning be-
fore breakfast.
But one day Dick saw something
which gave him the curious notion that,
after all, it was not the beauties of ma
ture that attracted her. He saw Mrs.
Fairholmo walking briskly down the
road outside to meet the postman-
there was only one delivery IN that part
Of the worldwide was about to leave
the Broadwater letters Mt tho lodge.
She stopped the man, and he gave heI
an envelope, which she opened II read
OA NAp olpNF
Hum 20 he reflected. $50 Mrs. Fair
holme is so anxious about hor CORE.
s~pondenco that she takes the trouble u
70 ont and meet it at half past -. H..
Tint afternoon he was at the village
pOStoaice, and tho postmaster, who wa
also tho grocer, happened to be serving
himself.
II saw n letter for you with the Mel
bourne postmark ON IL this morning
SIR, 4" he said, with the license Of an ole
tenant. ~ hope the c%olonel's wellI''
William confirmed the statement ON
phatically. and furthermore volunteered
the information that tho 9 mistres
Of Broadwater had met him ON TIN
highway, near the lodge gates, and 70
ouestcd him to hand the letter over 4
her.
Thanks" said Dick lightly. 20
course Mrs. F~airholnie has forgotten b
give it 70 me. Ill ask her about it.
Conscious of her duplicity, Dick coul'
scarcely force himself TO be civil to her
But she appeared not 10 notice his mo
roseness, aud In the evening after din
ner she rose from tho piano suddenly
as though "a impulse.
"By the way" she said, "have yO'
tho key Of the strongroom, Dickf
meant TO ask you before and forgot.
should 50 much like TO see the famil,
Jewels. Your uncle told me that he Ia
some wonderful rubies which Ia
brought from India. Bring them down
there's a dear bOy!'
The dear boy" obeyed without tn
best grace in the world, and Mrs. Faii
holme admired tho jewels and playe
with them all like q child with u ne'