Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-03-16
DECEIVERS EVER.


gotten, although it was very great
wonder at the time. Everybody connect
ed with it is dead also--his mother and
the other two women-and SO many
first lieutenants have filled his place
since then that no one's heart is likely
to be wounded by repeating it,
He was superb great fellow-as all
the men in his regiment were said to be
in those days--of the big, blond and
brave type, knowing neither fear nor
failure, and his fascination was some-
thing that has become tradition in the
service. So many girls-aye, and mar.
ried women, too-had loved him that
the shores upon which he had touched
were strewn' with wrecks.
The hearts Of all those women had
been broken, actually broken, not just
dented little, as is usually the case in
such affairs Their lives were openly
ruined, yet Charming kept himself free
of blame. No one could say che should
not have done thus OF so;" he never
committed himself; he never acted in a
compromising fashion in the presence
of third person., But the women who
ran insanely OH into the desert of disil-
fusion, following the elusive pillars Of
the smoke of his words and the fire Of
his looks, never again passed beyond
into the land of content across the will
derness. They despised themselves in
that pitiful fashion that women have,
but they loved him always, for such is
the way Of their kind.
1t had been his good fortune to have
dealings only with women who either
thought Of him alone, forgetting them
selves, or with those too gentle to de-
nounce him. Then, too, he had managed
we'll there was never any definite proof.
But in the early summer Of 1885 the
pitcher that had been carried 50 times
to the we'll narrowly escaped being
broken.
The bride Of Captain Morton, having
seen fit, with due encouragement, to
fall in love with him, threatened to be-
come unmanageable. She was most
wonderfully attractive, feminine little
thing, but she was neither of the self
immolating nor of the concealing sort
Having lost her heart, she lost her head,
and Charming was in much danger OF
having his methods exposed.
His captain advised him. Charming,
you'd better take leave and get out
for bit"
"Why?"
"Well, it's delicate subject, but
Morton's an old friend Of mine, and
don IT want to see his wife disgrace him. "
"But what have done? am as in
nocent as baby, and besides, I think
you are mistaken.
"We all exonerate you. It's not your
fault, but Pm not mistaken. It's evil
dent to the whole post. Take my advice
and go see your mother, like dutiful
son."
Charming was f1attered, but he was
also frightened; nevertheless, he was
undecided.
There was a hop that same night.
Mrs. Morton was there, and it was her
actions that determined Charming to
take Captain Lytton's counsel. She was
already in the hoproom talking to the
latter when Charming appeared, and the
moment she saw him, standing tall and
graceful and Indifferent in the doorway,
she grew so white that the whole room
noticed it, and she trembled visibly.
She realized her paleness and knew that
Captain Lytton's quick movement to
put himself between her and the watch
ing eyes had been unavailing.
Her own soft eyes filled as she raised
them piteously. "You see what spec
tacle I am making of myself. can't
help it. I've tried hard. There's moth
ing for it but to 60 away or break
down"
''Poor little girl! Come away, then. "
IF you will just take me home and
tell Dan p She stopped, losing the
thread Of her words, for Charming was
approaching.
Captain Lytton offered her his arm.
"Come quickly" he said.
Just wait a minute, please-just till
tell Mr.. Charming can't stay for our
dance.
She had flushed up, and her eyes were
brilliant. She put out her hand to Chan
ming, drew it back and again stretched
it forth oonfusedly.
He took it and pressed it-yes, she
was sure he pressed it ain ost. "The
third you promised me, wasn't it?'
eyes, think go, she answered.
Captain Lytton turned on his heel
and walked away. rs
At the end of the third dance, while
they strolled together up and down the
line, Charming experimental to see how
far she would 60. To his CONSERVATION,
he found that she would stop at nothing
short Of blazoning her infatuation from
the house tops. A scandal was not what
Charming wanted. He was very gentle
with her, but she wept and said all man.
her Of foolish things, until Captain Lyt.
ton came upon them and took her home.
Very soon after this the lieutenant
went on to visit his mother. She was q
Virginian Of the conventional poor but
proud order, and she lived on what had
once been the kitchen garden Of the
family estate. Quite as often as not she
was on the point Of hunger, when there
was no demand for the needlework Of
her quivering old fingers. Her son did
not contribute to her support. ''All Of
my beggarly pay and more. too. goes to
keep up appearances My regiment ID
great on esprit de corps. I'd like awful
" we'll to help you, mother, but must
hold up my end Of the row. ! an