Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-09-16
CONFIDENCES,


so you're back in town at last?' said
Sylvia.
"Yes,'' 1 said. give had an excellent
time padding up and down the Riviera in
the sunshine. Glad to get back, though. -
Sylvia lay back in her chair, her face
half hidden by the fan with which she
shielded her complexion from the fire.
Don't you think" she said, ''that the
occasion requires you to say something
ioe-and-cousinlyg I'm sure you've
heard
eyes," I said.
"When did it happenH When did YOU
ooh, don't be silly, Jim, said Sylvia,
and her foot waggled in the old way
have always noticed that Sylyia's expires.
sion lies in her foot
~ suppose, l said refeotiyely, "that il
did happen. He did propose-ordid your"
Jim, you're horrid" said Sylvia
'Please may I have some bread and but
ter?" l said. "You can't get bread and
butter on the Riyiera-at least you don't. )"
Sylvia handed it to me. Her eyes flash.
ed a pathetic entreaty.
81 ought to have said / was pleased,
oughtn't L? And that l am sure you will
be very happy, as you deserve to be.''
"Well, aren't you pleased9" asked Syl.
via, looking at me curiously with arched
eyebrows. 81 thought Edgar was such
friend of yours, and well, we have al.
ways been'--
''You call him Edgar. How curious!"
murmured. "Now, have known him
for years and never called him anything
but Jones, while you have only known him
how Tonga year-less, l should think,
and yet you''--
Its not question of time at all, " said
Sylvia turning her face away from me
again. edgar and I know one another
thoroughly. We have no secrets from each
other. You may get to know a person
quite as well in two months as in two
years if only
"Quite so. Very proper" l replied,
wondering vaguely what was Jones' no.
ton of secret.
We'll, but why aren't you pleased,
said Sylvia. "I'm sure you're not, and
think it's a little-a little unkind of you
Still, and Sylvia settled herself little
moro comfortably in her chair, of course
it doesn t mattor-much. !"
mot much, I replied, putting down
my teacup. Nevertheless you can scarcely
expect Il man to be overjoyed when he
loses his best friend-and-his best cousin.
Can you?'
'Loses them'' said Sylvia. 'What do
you mean?''
u have always noticed" | said, "that
| lose more friends by marriage than by
death.
"Butyou don t suppose began Sylvia.
" If my friend is a man." 1 continued,
"his wife dsikes me because l know more
of her husband than she does -
"How absurd" said Sylvia.
And If my friend is a woman" con-
tinued, cher husband is just shade ieal-
Gus because he suspects that I have been
making love to her,
How silly!'' said Sylvia, shifting i'm
patiently in her chair.
The worst of it is, - proceeded, "that
they are both right, as a rule In this
particular case''-
'JimP' exclaimed Sylvia, bringing an
expressive foot down upon the hearth rug,
If you've only come back to be horrid'-
81 have come back, said, "for the ex-
press purpose of giving Jones away, or
whatever it is you do for your best friend
when he is married.
That's nice of you, JIM" said Sylvia.
leaning back contentedly "Then you are
pleased?i'
II think Jones is an uncommonly lucky
man." said.
Sylvia wrinkled her brows and looked
curiously at me.
If you think Edgar is marrying me for
my money, that is not the CASE" said
Sylvia
II shouldn't dream of such thing"
said.
Though, of course, it is lucky that |
have money" said Sylvia, Cor else we
We should have to watt
"Of course" | said, "a regular income
is convenient thing to have and l don't
suppose Jones has ever made 1900 in any
single year at the bar yet
But he's clever, said Sylvia, "and he
must wait his opportunity"
Yes l said.
You were surprised, weren't your" said
Sylvia. snow confess you were surprised
for once"
"Well, don't know that 1 was-par-
You see, 1 was staying up the
river with him in August, and 1 knew
there was something up" t
"Oh, but you couldn't have known
then, said Sylvia, with slight laugh.
of course didn't absolutely know"
said, land, now come to think of it, |
ihlnk 1T was little mean of Jones-and
u you, too, Sylyia-to keep me in the
lark SO long. | could have done q good
Zeal for you in my quiet way, you know
brought you together and retired discreetly
'ound the corner. A little seasonable
rankness would have done wonders. As
t was
AS it was, said Sylvia rather stiffly,
Edgar and | were able to manage our
'wn affairs ourselves. F."
"Still, said 'if it's any consolation
o you, don't mind assuring you that
le's frantically in love with YOU
"Thank your said Sylvia. "It's pleas.
mt to hear it on such excellent authority. "
"Of course l should have known there
vas woman in the case even if he hadn't
old mo So
''What do you meanp" said Sylvia, who
eemed to be getting little bored
well, when man leaves the river to
pend his week ends in town, it's fairly
afe to conclude that there's a woman in
:, and when he tells you so it seems to re-
1oye the last ves1ige of doubt. But I
1ust confess he quite put me off the scent
never dreamed it was you he was after.
fear, Sylvia, you are h sly puss. Why,
THAT on earth s the matter9"
Sylvia had turned white and had risen
rom her seat.
What are you talking aboutp" She
sked.
1--WE are talking about Edgar Jones'
Ut
"But who was the woman? Jim, in
st''-
my dear Sylvia
"Mr Jones'" said the parior maid,
Gliding open the door.
"Hello, old fellow! Back again?"
Eyes" said. "Just in time to con.
you both and to-giye Won away.