Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-01-23
Fate, The MOeker.

IL was In the grounds of the casino
at Ostend The woman sat there idly
rlRckins ut her fan; the man leaned
over behind her. with his face near her
OWE.
They had met but an hour since il
surprising fashion, vet they seemed tc
have but little to say to each other.
only now AMI again the woman spoke
in low tones, with little mlrthless
laugh alternating with the woris. The
wan answered dreamily. with his eyes
wandering over the scene before him.
"YOu want to know what | have
been doing during these years." said
the woman. with a slight sigh. Its
easily told. After you lost sight OF
me-do you remcmber:-I met Hcrrick
Yeeri. He was rich, and I--Oh' l was
tired Of the game of chances. seemed
never To win Il prize. somehow. Seend
was-yery nice, aud II
You married him." said the slow
voice behind her. Wise little woman"
And you can say that?" she muir
INJURED. with note OF reproaeh in her
tones. lion would scarcely have said
so ut one time"
The man laughed a little bitterly.
Il suppose not" he said. Il should
probably have torn my hair and thirst
ed for the blood OF the estimable
Yeend. I've grown philosophical. Ber-
tina"
Which is only another name for for
getfulness-eht'
There are some things | can never
forget. even il wished to do So" he
whispered. trying to peer into her face.
-'Ah. that sounds more like Leslie
OF old days." she said. looking round
ut him gratefully. Il thought You had
begun 10 hate me"
You have never taught me TO do
| thar. But tell me-yOu are happy in
| your marriage. even though you have
| left certain dreams behind: | sup
pose we all drop those on our journey
through life; they are but cumbersome
luggage"
-You have grown philosophical in
deed" she replied. laughing. Well,
don't mind telling you-you are such
an old friend-that my married life
has been n hideOus blunder."
Rather sweeping" said the man.
sending a long wreath Of smoke out
into the night air. and decidedly
strong"
| Not a bit too strong" she replied
| calmly. 1T was all right at first;
afterward it developed into night
mare. from which have never awak-
ened- She shuddcred a little and
sighed. and then went on In a lighter
tone. We'll. we won't talk about 1t.
Tell me Of yourself. What have you
been doingE'
-Oh. I've been wandering in the
same aimIess fashion about the world
writing poems which nobody reads
painting pictures which no man buys
gambling a little. running into debt 4
great deal"
And you are not married. she
asked
NO. I'm not married. lie said slow.
-, looking at her. Did you expect
that should be-"
She did not answer for n moment
she only looked slyly up at him. with
u flush on her face.
Poor boy she murmuTed ut last
softIy. Il remember that you were
awfully fond OF me-in those o!t
Jays"
YES. I was fond Of you replied
the man. without looking Mt her.
Il see that in spite OF your advice Il
me you still carry some Of you
Dreams" she said wistfully.
Some OF them" he said
and You are still fond Of me Les
Heg" she said.
"Can you doubt ItT'
"You poor boy. I treated You yer,
badly in the old days. very badly in
deed. I wish I could make II up &
you.r
Something in the tender. regretfu
voice touched the man; lie bent neare
TO her.
and you thought I had forgotten
all about you. You thought 1 couI'
fOrgetE" he whispered.
She looked down the lampIit path
and suddenly sat stiff and upright.
go away now" she whispered
"Yeend IL coming. can see his fiGur
in the distance. Come back to III
again. I want 10 talk to you"
She was sitting quite calmly. evi
IDENTIFY very much bored. when her bus
band came slowly along the path an
! stood before her.
..WelIY" she said, questioningIy
CHANGING up at him.
ITS all finished" he said. in n no
j low voice. This is the end
You don't mean, she began.
II mean" he broke in, that / hay
lost tonight as heavily as before
more heavily, in fact. have thirt
. francs left"
Thirty francsr' sh~ exclaimed.
''That Is all. wanted to saw
i enough to get us some dinner and
and carry US elsewhere in the morniD;
The hotel bilI--weIl. well forget IT,"
He laughed gTimly and the woIna
shuddered.
$50, this IS the end" she said rattle
slowly, without looking ut him. Beg
gary and shameful fight and nOthin
In the future. This Is all you have {
offer meF
I'VE are still together. Bertha" Ii
said, looking at her hopelessly.
bah! That Is the worst part Of IT,
she said scornfuIIy. Rich, you wer
, tOlerable; but poor She made
quick gesture OF disgust and turne
away from him.
and you can say this to meat thI
, bOurw he said bitterly.
''It Is such moments as these tina
teach men and women honesty" sh
| gafd with n IauOh ssyntt haze hoo