Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-05-22

years ago. Ii you cannot do as have sug-
gested we are not fitted for each other ~
1t was the most difficult problem which
Clarence Hays practical mind had ever
been called upon to solve. There were
times when he had serious doubts of Miss
Parsons sanity, and had she been a less
attractive woman he would have abandon
ed all hope of winning her and left her to
find somebody else to do her illustrating.
But whenever he began to consider that
course of action, the valves of his heart con-
tracted with a sudden spasm of desolation,
and he would once more begin cudgeling
his brain for possible clew to the theme
of her story. He hunted up every old mag
azine and newspaper in which she had
ever had anything published and read her
work carefully in the hope of thereby
gaining some idea of what might natural
ly be expected of her But she had written
in many veins, and he might as well have
tried to read solution in the stars as in
the printed pages wherein was mirrored
the state of her mind in the days gone by
Besides, in none of them was there visible
trace Of the belief in the supernatural
that had characterized their last converse
ton, and the theories then expressed left
him more mystifed as to her probable sub
ject than anything else could have done.
She had stipulated that at the end of a
month he should come to her with his
drawings. Then they were to read her
story and examine the pictures together.
If each was the complement of the other,
she would marry him as soon as he wish
ed. Three weeks Of the allotted time had
passed away, and Clarence Hay had fret.
ted and fumed himself into mere shadow
of his former robust self, but with all his
worrying and specializing no wandering
shaft from her high train Of thought had
pierced his obtuse brain. He studied out a
plot every night in his dreams, but they
were all different, and when it came to Sc.
Letting one from such a heterogeneous
mass of fancies his predicament was as
woeful as though his slumber had been
visionless. He was about to go to her and
explain that as mind reading was not his
forte his was a hopeless case, and that In
the name of justice she ought to be lenient
and rescind her unreasonable decree
But just at that time he received an in
SEPARATION.
On the last day of the month he present.
ed himself before Miss Pearson with five
drawings which were, he fattered himself,
the best he had ever made during his ca
reer as an artist She read her story. 1t
was graphic description of Syrian life
in the slums Of large city and was
unique and strong in conception and ex.
ecution. Then he showed his pictures.
They also illustrated Syrian life in the
slums Of large city
She looked at him admiringly.
"Never before she said, "have I had
an article furnished with such appropriate
illustrations You are the man whom
Providence intends me to marry"
Her admiration and affection were very
sweet, but there was a large dose of gall
and wormwood mixed with Clarence Hay &
draft Of honey.
Miss Pearson" he said, as he was get.
ting ready to go, IT haven't been honest
with you. 1 love you too much to impose
upon you. There was no telepathio CORE
spondence between your mind and mine to
prove that am your affinity. 1 came by
knowledge in a very material way. Read
this letter, which received q week ago."
He handed her square sheet of white
paper, and she read aloud:
Mr.. HAY-Miss Pearson has finished her sto
~. It is a description Of Syrian life in the
slums of large city. Interior of room given
in detail (illustrate). Characters are mother
and three little girls illustrate in group
Youngest child dies with American doctor al
bedside (illustrate) Woman is well educated
and superior to average Syrian woman, but
very poor illustrate as she appears in the
street). Doctor loves her, but she will moi
marry because she believes 1t her duty to hel
race to live among them and elevate them III
lustrate rejection) A WE'LL WIsHER.
Hold on minute. Don't say anything
till I tell you ALL" he said as she com
menced to speak II couldn't have
thought of this from now till the crack Of
doom. didn' Z know who sent that letter
whether a mutual friend who had fathom
ed your secret or a rival to whom you
had oonf1ded all and who wrote this mere
ly to lead me astray. But concluded that
false scent was better than none at all
So went to work. spent two days in the
Syrian colony. You see the result There
am truthful, even though may be toe
practical to suit your TASTE
He waited for her to say something, but
she only stared at him in surprise.
''If you want to retract your decision,
all right, " he said dejectedly, but think
have earned you"
Still she did not speak. He bowed him.
self out Of the room and had reached the
outer door when she called him back.
Clarence" she said, standing close be.
side him, 'you have been honest have
not I didn't think you would tell me
about -that-letter. Clarence, I-I'-
all wrh 49, L.. 4