Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-08-28
SHE PAID THE BET.

She left the city on Feb. 20. Her
friends all wondered at this sudden
move and into the country at this I'M
godly season. No one knew why, but
all had their theories.
She gave luncheon the day before
and received telegram at the table, so
the girls said, and as she opened it a
very peculiar, half mirthful, half sad
expression came into her face
"Well, girls, I am going away to-
night for three or four weeks. "
"Why, for goodness sake, you're to
lead the german tonight at Kings"
"No. Tonight I'll be away from here.
don't quite know where, but I'm 60
ing anyhow. Won't you have some more
of this ice, Lucille?"
This was the source whence origi-
mated their numerous and varied con-
illusions. That night at the german it
was the theme of conversation. The
pretty girls were glad because young
Mrs Page was popular; the stupid
ones were glad because it actually gave
them something to talk about, and be-
fore the festivities were over the ears
of the poor departed must have burned
like fire. In the meantime she tele
phoned down to Jacks office: "Hello!
Is that you, Jack?'
Eyes, dear"
"Well, you'll be surprised, but I'm
going away"
"Going? Where?"
"Down the river somewhere, guess
I'll take Marie. Why? Oh, it's just
whim, Jack, but I know you'll.le let me
CO."
."I don't suppose it would make much
difference what wanted"
"Now, Jack-well, the train leaves
at 5:O4. You needn't come up here. Be
down at the depot and have some money
for me. Goodby. See you later. Got to
get my things ready"
She didn t go to get her things ready,
but she told Marie to- She sat down in
big chair and thought it all over.
II suppose they'll all think I'm
crazy, and what on earth shall I tell
Jack? Oh, I'll get to the station late;
then there won't be time to say any
thing. Great heavens, only year ago
and how different things were! That
whole day comes back to me now like
a dream, and I'd actually almost forgot
about it, But somehow when made
that bet I felt as though would lose it.
N ,i,,1. G,,%
brow off and send him the picture!
How silly! But I'm game. I'll do it.
Oh, dear, won't be ugly without an
eyebrow? I wonder where he is now.
Poor boy! He really did love me and
~
Madame had better be dressing.
The trunk is packed, and it is half
past 4. !"
Have you ordered the carriage?'
cts ready, madame
Hello, Jackl Nearly missed it,
didn't II"
For heavens sake, Edith, where are
you going?"
ooh, my, there goes the whistle! I'll
write you all about it, Jack. Goodby.
Be good" And the astonished Jack
stood just where Edith left him till
the train was out Of sight.
"Marie, look in my coat pocket and
get me that telegram. Thanks. Let's
see. Why, he ism It in California at all
Chicago! What on earth is he doing
there do you suppose?"
ibid madame speak,"
No. Go and read"
"After all, this is very foolish, but
it's sort Of fun to be foolish, anyhow.
Poor Jackl really ought to love him
more; he is so good to me. Oh, pshaw!
Why can't people have money and
brains and all things that I like COM
bined? Now, Beardsley would have been
SO nice if he hadn't been poor. I nearly
thought he was nice, anyhow. Who's
whistling that tune? I haven't heard it
for-dear me, I'm getting sentimental!
But here we arel
II want hotel out or town where
can be very quiet. /"
Chateau Rouge, ma'am, jist the
place. Only one man in the whole ho-
tel, an he dom bother no one. He goes
moonin round all day. We're 'arf
afraid he's a-goin ter do suthin desperit.
He"--
"Well, never mind. Get my bags. I'm
anxious to see the place"
Is this it? Oh, Marie, isn't it love-
lyr We can be so nice and quiet herei
No, won't come down to dinner. You
needn't either, Marie. Both meals sent
up, please. Yes.
That night, after long and loving
looks at that fatal eyebrow, she seized
Jacks razor, which she had deliberately
brought with her for the purpose, and,
with gasp Of resolution, twas off.
"Oh, you beauty, you fooll Suppose
it doesn't grow again. Suppose it grows
white. But what's the good Of caring?
I'm going to bed. I'm dead. Then I can
wake up in the morning and worry all
over again. y
She woke up, though, before the
morning just in the middle Of the
quiet night.