Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-12-27
A BIT OF GOSSIP.

Bah nodded, yawned and went into her
room.
In five minutes Sallie followed her and
settled herself cozily in great armchair
opposite her friend.
"There, now, I've hardly had glimpse
of you tonight I'm dead beat fairly dead
beat Don't mention the word dance
for'--
"a week."
"Oh. months, months 1t has been a
lovely success, though. Lady Martin whis-
pered to me when she was going that l
was a perfect hostess, and such praise
from'--
She has marriageable SON."
"Oh, Bah, you mean
81 mean, Sallic, dear, that / heartily
indorse her ladyship's compliment.
"You are laughing. Well, l did my best.
l wanted to please father, and he is
pleased. But oh, I'm SO tired!'
"You look washed OUT" said Bah
frankly.
"What horrid expressionl Say inter
estingly pale.
"If were man, my dear, might,
but / never fatter my own sex.
"Disagreeable creaturep'
Bah lifted the handglass lying on her
knee and scrutinized her own face closely.
"Now I look as fresh as did when the
evening commenced Thank heaven!
don't show either my physical or bodily
feelings in my face. You'll wear out be-
fore your time, Sallie. ="
'.Thank you, Bah. l think Ill wear as
well as most people. But perhaps If you
had had my responsibilities on your Shout
ders and the weight of receiving and look
ing after the comfort of over 300 guests
instead of incoming about the conserva-
tory with Major Hardy you would have
looked washed outl"
Bah laughed lazily and nestled her
pretty dark head more cozily among the
silken cushions.
"You pay the penalty, Sal, of being host
ess and heiress Now, an insignificant
person like myself has nothing to worry
about. Yes, nobodies have advantages,
after all r'
"You don't consider yourself a nobody,
SO you needn say it, Bab And Major
Hardy doesn't think you nobody either T.
"Did he tell you so? How condescend-
ingr'
Don't be ridiculous. Haven't l ears
and eyes
Speaking of ears, did you notice the
earrings Lady Martin was wearing9"
"Bab, I'm not going to let you change
the subject in that mean way"
"Coral down to her shoulders! I never
saw such abolninable looking things.
wouldn't give fig for your country folks,
Sallie!'
Lady Martins people came over witt
the Conqueror. "
81 shouldn't be surprised. Regular Me
thuselahs, Judging them by their dress to
night"
"Her family is as old as father's.''
"Your father looks we'll bred. Lady
Martin-well, that old stick would try tt
patronize the queen. -
"Neyer mind We are wandering away
from Major Hardy"
"How you Major Hardy me! If an
not mistaken, the very first words you sait
to me this morning were, Major Hardy il
coming tonight
"Don't get nasty, Bah. You know tina
we-er"-
"Whatp"
ooh! thought wei thought you sait
once-don't glare at mel thought yol
liked him."
II like a whole heap Of men,"
He is splendid match, Bab The rec
tory girls would give anything to hay
your chance"
"Hm! Why not take him yourself
You needn't fly into passion. apollo
gize. I forgot for an instant that wha
would be a good match for me would b
most unsuitable for great heiress."
"You are so bitter Bah. Can help III.
position?" said Sallie plaintiyely.
II never said you could"
"You danced half a dozen times witt
him.
"With whom?"
"Oh, you know! Major Hardy"
"WellP''
"And saw you go into the conserva
tory, and I thought he would surely sa
something"
"He said plenty. He was quite garru
lous for him. He had quitean argumen
with your father about some monstrosit
Of q plant"
"Father'
II was quite in the cold, assure you.
"How stupid of father. will scold th
old darling for his blindness"
"You must do nothing of the kind. Hi
state of perfect serenity must be left ur
disturbed"
dear old father. He did look happ
tonight He was SO pleased with me. Whe
| was talking to you once, | saw hiI
watching me with such proud eyes
"Yess"
81 don't think girl ever had a NOR
devoted father He is bound up in mt
and would die without his love-"
"Lots of girls think that till--their ia
theirs marry again.
"Brutes We settled long ago that me
were brutes, didn't we, dearY But my ia
ther is noble exception"
And Major Hardy"
'Oh, Of course!"
1.-TWO exceptions, then. What brigh
lookout for wonankind!" !"
"Don't sneer, Babp
II don't remember my father sal
Bah thoughtfully. II believe he went i
| for horse racing and occasionally i'll use
my mother. =
"Pity her if you like, Sal, but don
waste your pity on me. am perfectl
contented-and, just not very comfortabl
sleepy"
| "Sleepy9 Oh, then, l had better sa
good night!'
"Do, dear" Bah yawned drowsily
Don't expect to see me at very earl
hour Going? Well, good night Wait q
instant, Sallie. Major Hardy
"Oh, darling! Then he did,
Proposed to me in the conservatory tt
night. But I was compelled to refui
him."
"Oh, Babl"
II had already promised to marry you
father. What do you saya Oh, good night
New York Weekly.
Fugitive Verse.
Friend--I've just been reading your III
lie volume Of fugitive verses.
Author-Why do you call them "fug
<{x,a x,o,%oocQtt