Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-11-06
HIS FIRST WIFE.

II Il Il l.
Cynthia regarded the flashing little cir
clet with evident delight. 1t was one of
the many that sparkled on her delicate
white hand, but it bore significance be-
yond the others. 1t meant the clipping of
butterfly wings; the waning of the hon.
age due to q beautiful and marriageable
sheiress, and which, though often made the
subject OF scornful wit, was ever accepted
and acceptable. 1t meant the ratification
OF a sweet and binding contract with the
chosen one-the man to whom wealth was
no object and rank no allurement, and,
Iof that reason, it dazzled eyes familiar
with the radiance of gems.
The fingers that had just bestowed the
gilt still clasped hers with tender pressure,
and, for the first time, she noticed their
single ornament-an oddly shaped gold
ring, that found fault in her fastidious
eyes.
why do you wear this?" she asked,
with u curl of the lip.
because value it, " replied her lover,
secretly resenting the little sneer
Her curiosity was reused Though she
not to talk about it, she persisted
'Did you buy it?'
No 1t was given to me.
by friends"
by the best friend / ever had.''
The laconic replies annoyed her. She
dropped his hand, saying, "Well, don't
admire it. /"
He accepted the dismissal of the subject
without word, and the conversation
drifted into another channel-one of the
winding tributaries of love- Future plans
were discussed, and dates were fixed, to a
running accompaniment of jest and laugh
ter
Suddenly the ring caught her careless
glance again.
''There!' she said pointing to it impa-
tiently "It fascinates me. 1 am sure it
has history Tell me.'
She spoke as one who is used to COM
mand and certain of compliance. Lean
ing back she closed her eyes languidly and
waited
SEQ on" she said at last with some
surprise.
And still he hesitated
"It is a sad one. You would not care
to know it, y he said finally
She sat erect, intensely curious.
Indeed would, now that you are SO
mysterious. Does it contain poison? Is
it Masonic symbol, or perhaps some
weird sign of witchery?"
For once her gayety Jared on him, and
he was unable to answer in the same ban
tering strain.
My dear" he said, sit was given to
me by one who is dead -
She was momentarily silent, then began
again:
II have never noticed it bcfore'
And yet l always wear it. -
"Why?''
"Ah, Cynthia, you asked me that once
Because value it more than anything !
possess. "
'Well, I will give you one quite as
quaint and with an original inscription. !
Will you wear it for meS"
Her pretty eagerness made him smile
"Of course l will.'
She flushed little. "I mean, will you
wear it instead of thiS?"
mo. | cannot promise that"
Hisanswer startled her 1t was so grave
and resolute She renewed the attack:
But, don't you see, If give it to you, it
would 1p vOup 1OOct prnnioIIc 1,occocciou |
Don,t vo,, c.ro fn, M, Ia++o,, +la,, s,,
in tho worlds,, NV ''''o' '''"'- '-' >'''
He drew han r. hin, fond,,
Eyes i en- can " answer @ at that with +r,+b
but Won would not bave mo hraoI ' ,my
nrop;sesn --''o '''o my
ssWba+ nrorisoo,,
"I vo,yad 10 woar ~ .s ,or, &c 1.-Two II
II bo nossi,,,o - sha,i a ,,,;od s,,i+,, -
,,Tbo dnino hama - ,,.1,t - tnt 49, 'ms .,,
,,o,,,isos frn,s, +ha HIS ;, ~, " 49, s, suo
sa,tn,'tiorsln nWonn NV S' fni", snu io.n.lheu
I, saltlSh ;, Aoui iiioii' " ''' eA'ie'iie'
' CON Cvn+hia sho ,os o,n,
rhare vas % ,mnra s.'e sorrnrr mms GU ttaa % anao,
Tho tone He Ala not Ino,, fon % ,a,,oh ahn gnnth ~
,f feeI;no IN Cvnth;, cho haa ~ ,,ao,, "oton ton
,noilod T. ,yas he t.s,. ~ ,,n;,'o r,1 o,,4 ~
nyah,a ,oints =, har nat,,no tia4 s ,,n o"y ~
,rions 1ifo hod ,aft ,,mJaro1onaS ~" nnd I' -,
yhicb he love dinmod avos had fonosoam
yraat and nohlo rnssihil;+ios
.sShe was-Yvoi,r tirSt ,vifo,,, ,s,,od Crr
Ma slo,v1r ond shnu;ne, ~ ~, ,,;s'sls;tio du
..,t,,,nt No., ron,,,o,, a,,;,,;s, W
s,1sv sWas ~ M IL. - Ip ~ -. =,
.oa4i. .h ,au oii -, nsn l.''iis
IA % GeneiV..ns. s ono ooisi.ere" ~ ~ ~ "
,,I;,., - e, ls haah, u.it "ols ~ ai"nys' M uli
y .ns, sno oe4 uo"ono'' ~ W me- Ahefe IL