Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-09-25

spokesman--at least she opened the inter-
view by referring to the advertisement as
the moving cause of their visit. I cannot
for the life of me explain why thought
so, but Instantly it fixed itself in my mind
that my tenants stood before me-
| was just bit nervous and half regret
ted laying aside my pipe, but | gathered
myself together, and in five minutes time
we were walking together through the
house and talking pleasantly about its ar
rangement, conveniences and such like,
and then made tour of the grounds.
When we returned to the veranda, | ten
dered the rocker to the young woman,
while the gentlemen-one, as | learned,
her father, the other her. brother-and
myself sat on the steps. There would be
no train to the city for an hour and we
had ample time to discuss the object Of
their visit and incidentally such personal
affairs as are won't to develop under such
circumstances.
1t was thus that / learned that the old
gentleman was Virginian upon whom
the results of the war had fallen rather
disastrously and whose troubles from this
source had been augmented by the death
Of his wife. His son was member of one
of the professions and amply equipped
mentally and financially to provide for the
family, while the daughter, reared in true
Virginia fashion, was to he housekeeper
or general charge d'affaires We agreed
upon terms, and 1t was arranged that Colo
mel Kirby was to assume possession on
the following Monday. accompanied the
party to the station, gave them cordial
goodby q confess 1T was reluctant good
by gave the young woman), the train
sped away toward the smoke wreathed
spires of the city and left me to my rocker,
my pipe and my reflections
Bright and early Monday morning a pro-
cession Of vans invaded Cloversyde, and
while the sturdy help was busily engaged
in the work Of transferring the contents
to the house the colonel and his daughter
reached the place by train. An exchange
Of few compliments pertinent to such an
occasion ensued, when ahdicated and left
the quiet country cottage to resume life in
town. At the end of month I made my
debut as landlord. There was notice
able improvement in the appearance of the
place. The grounds looked clean, and
flower beds at odd places and bordering the
walk gave evidence of womanly attention.
The house wore homelike, hospitable air.
and just where / had left it sat the old
rocker. These things I noticed at that
first call, brief one. Subsequent visits
gave opportunity for more extended OBJ
servations, which only emphasized my first
impression that model housekeeper was
directing matters in certain habitation
in Cloversyde Gradually 1 became con-
scious that change had taken place in
myself.
Town life was fast losing its attractive
ness. My thoughts turned with an inde-
Unable longing to woods orowning tho
uplands through whose leafy branches the
southern breezes played, to rivulets spring
ing from groves, playing along the slopes
awhile, prattling into groves again and
dancing away in the shaded distance. And
philosophical too. No man is bachelor
from choice. Either his lonely condition
is a case of it might have been, or he has
not yet looked into eyes that have an
swered his heart. Love is magnetism.
The eyes have 1t. When the ordained eyes
meet, then and there the bachelor ceases
to exist and one more township is added
to paradise. made this discovery when
my eyes met those of Rhody Kirby, and
though I have looked into these same dear
eyes thousands Of times, and though they
have been my inspiration, my very life,
yet to save me from perdition l cannot
describe them know the regal rose, tho
modest violet, the loyal sunfower, but to
attempt a description Of either would be a
task entirely beyond me. And SO with
Rhody's eyes. l only know they are the
most beautiful this side the shining stars;
that she herself fills up the gracious mold
Of modesty and that am desperately
But anticipate little.
developed an extraordinary interest in
my property in Cloversyde, SO that it was
not unusual for me to drive out there ev-
cry week. My pretext was that the place
needed looking after, the fences and build
ings requiring a deal Of attention to save
them from falling into decay Miss Rhody
was my companion over the grounds,
making suggestions here and there and
filling me with a fear that 1 should one
day drop dead at her feet from an attack
Of heart palpitation but all things must
have an end, and l resolved to talk seri-
ously with Rhody when next put foot on
the place. 1t was the first day of June
and early morning The budding roses
were bathed in dew, tho birds twitted
| tunefully in the trees, the air was soft and
| delciously fragrant, and Miss Rhody was
as delightfully."- sweet and captivating as it
| is given to any mortal to be- We walked
| about the place, our conversation confined
| to matters commonplace, and my stay had
| been prolonged to length where l could
| find no propriety in longer detaining her
AS was about to take my leave said:
II am not going to call any moro for
the rent" There was an enormous lump
in my throat.
"Have you placed the property in an
! agents handsY" she inquired.
"No, Rho-Miss Kirby"
"Then you have disposed of it?''
"Not exactly. / think am on the
| point of doing so, however,
| "We shall feel very grateful" she said,
"if it passes into the possession of SO kind
| ly and oonsiderate an owner as yourself"
~ am satisfied I said slowly, that
! the new owner will prove my superior In
that regard. In fact, Rhody, that person
is to be no other than your own sweet self
"Since first saw you every day has in
creased my admiration until find love
takes the place of admiration. have dis
covered that it is possible for a woman to
possess sense without vanity and beauty
without affectation.' I had taken her
hand in mine while spoke. "May ask
you to take this place and with it me into
your dear keeping for lifea'
She was a sensible woman. Observation
had impressed me with that idea, and my
numerous visits confirmed that impres.
sion.
II cannot pretend to Indifference, she
said, "and therefore own that what you
have told me makes me extremely happy"
That settled it. / was in an ecstasy Of
Joy. Did kiss her9 I am man given
to plain speaking, plain writing. did.
Could have done otherwise?
She said other thinps So did T. br1t IL