The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-04-23
fretted abaut. We,n eome oat IN

lOOkeQ aIleF MIN SlllliliSia ~ udlIg Us
confident as he.
Paul, too, applied himselfto his work,
and as he plodded after the pillow he
dreamed Of the future, OF the time when
he should be a doctor and have cory
little home with Louise for its mistress.
Ambition or love ought either to be suf-
ficicnt to urge a man on to his best en-
deavors: but when they combinc, rs
they did in Paul's case, there is no tell
ing what strength they will put into a
mans arm nor what determination into
his hest.
Thus it was that among all the set
tiers on that great level plain there
were none that devoted themselves
more sedulorsly to work than John and
Paul, and as the season advanced and
the spring months gave place to
those Of summer, there were no fields in
all the settlement that looked more
dourishing or promising than theirs
And each Of these men, sgnCuine ma
tured as they were, counted the victory
won, and each in his way made his
plans for the future and constructed in
Vulnerable castles in the air.
Every Sunday now Paul came to
John Green's house, for it was distinct
ly understood all around that Paul and
Louise were to marry by and by,
though not word relative to the mat
ter had passed between their parents.
Often the young people read from the
same book, as they sat on bench out
side the house, and on such occasion
they seemed to have vast amount of
difficulty in making out the words for
they brought their eyes close down to
the page their faces almost touching,
and the words they sometimes pro-
nounced were not printed on the page
at all. But every person who has
courted knows how that is.
One day Paul and Louise went for a
stroll on the prairie. 1t was clear,
calm Sabbath such as summer Sab
baths usually are, and a misty haze
danced about near the green earth.
They walked on and on, mile after
mile, and at last coming to the road
that ran over toward Paradise Park,
they turned into that and went ON to
the east.
"About the 1st of September" Paul
was saying, Il shall be ready to go
back to school. There will be year
of separation, and it will seem long,
but when it is passed / will come back
and build up q home, and then we will
marry and settle down in it to live as
happy as can be-"
Louise gave little start, and after
casting a hurried glance at Paul, looked
down and blushed. Paul noticed her
manner, and thinking 1t due to embar-
rassment went on:
Il have not forgotten, Louise, what
you told me your mother said and do
not ask you to promise me anything
not until the year is out. ! am quite
satisfied without it, for | know that you
love me, and it requires no words to re-
veal yonr heart to me, and no promise
to make me understand that you will be
my wife"
II do love you, Paul" Louise said,
with all the fervor of my nature, and |
will never love you less. You are so
good and noble. But, Paul, you"
What is it, Louise?" Paul asked.
Il don't know" Louise replied.
81 suppose am foolish, Paul, but |
can't help it. l am so common and in
significant, and you will be thrown
among so many women who are beauti-
full and accomplished"
For a moment Paul was unable to
understand the girls words, but after a
time light began to break on his
mind, and with light, cheerful laugh
he drew her closer to him and said:
And so you think | will be so
blinded and dazzled by the beauty and
accomplishments of other women that |
shall forget my little girl away off out
here on the plains? Is that the bril-
liant idea that has edged its way into
your mind?"
Louise walked on some distance be-
fore she replied, half vexed at herself
for uttering words that showed she
doubted Paul's constancy, and half glad
that she had uttered them, as it gave him
an opportunity of reasserting his love
| for her Louise was an unconmonly
sensible person, but the most sensible
girls love to play the coquette Just a
7 little. Finally, after the lapse of a
/ minute or so, she looked up into Paul's
face and said:
- \E1,t+ sbat1lI,H wa,
"Why shouldn't forget you?"
"Ycs."
"I'hen | viii ask why should r."
"Beoause, Paul, am SO insignificant
and small, and you can win the love OF
whom You please. know there must
be grand ladies out in the world, and, as
compared with them am so common.
You cannot help but see the difference
and know how much more worthy OF
your love they are than |"
At this point Paul placed his hand
over her mouth and stopped her speech.
There, you have gone far enough, !"
he said, "and | will not hear another
word. have done nothing to deserve