Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-06-23

seemed TO take possession or her all III q
moment and she laughed, leased and
evaded her lovers questioning with per-
sistent willfulness that amazed herself.
81 will answer you tomorrow evening"
was the reply which he finally coaxed from
her saucy lips. II must have a little time
to reflect upon so dreadfully serious a mat,
ter, Mr.. Severance. "
But there was that in the happy, laugh
ing blue eyes that belied the willful lips,
and Wilbur Severance went away with a
cheerful heart in spite of all.
The following day Rose paid her prom
Used visit to Miss Stewart, and it was then
that the invalid made her a contldant
Caryl Stewart had been betrothed when
scarcely more than child, to Il youth but
little older than herself.
The arrangement had been made entire
ly by the parents of the two
But as they grew older, with better
understanding Of the situation, Caryl real
lied that her whole heart was involved in
the matter, while her fiance proved indif-
ferent and finally rebelled outright against
the bonds which he had no part in Great
ing.
In her pride Caryl had granted him his
by doing it.
Other suitors she had had, but she would
never love again to her dying day.
"And that will not be far off, she end
ed pathetically, "unless l can win his love.
And don't quite despair of doing that
yet, Rose, away from all rivals and FREQ
from the businesslike fetters that once
prejudiced him against me-more than all
when he realizes at last that his love and
only that can save my life. Do you think,
dear little Rose, that my hope of yet win
ming him is such wild one, after all?
mo, indeed, do not, Miss Stewart, "
she earnestly replied. II don't think he
could help but learn to love you did he
know all the truth. If he could be here to
see YOU
"He is here, and have met him several
times, though he doesn't know the mad
| hope that brought me here-as yet l have
merely told him that came here for my
health. l think you know him also,
| Rose" she added slowly, watching the
| girls face from beneath her long, dark
lashes. ellis name is Wilbur Severance. "
wilbur Severance
One moment Roses little hand was
pressed tightly over her heart, and her very
breathing seemed to cease
Then she spoke, almost in her usual
steady tones.
Yes, 1 know Mr.. Severance. We arc
quite good friends, F." she said "And l
think he will como back to you yet, Miss
Stewart. Indeed l am-am almost sure
he will.
And rising quickly she murmrred a
few parting words, then touching her cold
lips lightly to Caryl Stewards brow, has
tened from the room.
ooh, why didn't tell him Yes at once
last night when I loved him SOP cried
Rose in anguish Of heart as she hurried
home "Then it would all have been set.
tied and nothing could have changed it,
but now
Her resolve was already taken, and when
Wilbur called that night she gaye.him his
answer promptly enough. 1t was "No."
You cannot mean, Rose, that you have
deliberately intended to deceive me?' he
cried. Surely no woman under heaven
could have heart so hard and false as,
that! Do not trifle this time, Rose What
ever your answer is now, it must be your
final one. -
1T is final" she answered steadily. IT
shall regret the loss of your friendship,
but can never be your wife, Mr.. Sever
ance That is my deliberate, final answer"
And l hurled back the lie in the teeth
of all those who tried to warn me against
you for what you are-a soulless coquette, ~
he said with a bitter laugh. II might have
saved my happiness, but / would not, and
well, | deserve my fate for being such a
fool
He turned on his heel to go, but Rose
stepped quietly before him.
She held a small basket of fruit and
flowers in her hand
II should like to ask you to do me one
little favor" she said coldly, not seeming
to have noticed his bitter words II have
a friend at the hotel which you will pass
as you go home. She is ill-very ill in
deed-and I wish to send her these /
promised, but as could not go myself,
must ask you to take them for me-and
this note, " she added, Offering it. "Don't
refuse, please; she will be so disappointed.
And if you will kindly take them up to
her parlor YOURSELF never trust these
things to the careless servants there. 1t is
the only service l shall ask of YOU" she
added, with a half pleading little smile as
she saw him hesitate.
Of course he had no choice but to accept
the trifling task, and with a cold, distant
bow he took both basket and note from
her hand and went his way.
And when the door had closed behind
him, Rose sank back into her chair and
sobbed until her heart was ready to burst.
II have sent him to her, and surely she
can find some way to win him back
again, " she lnoaned as she thought of the
desolation she had brought upon her own
happiness.
How long she sat there weeping Rose
never knew. But ages after, so it seemed,
step sounded beside her, and Wilbur's
own voice was tenderly calling her name.
Look up, my Rose, and let me tell you
what has happened, y he was saying sadly
yet with u deep undertone of joy in his low
ing voice. II executed your errand and
before could leave Caryl in some way
made me understand the state Of her feel
ings toward me. You know the whole
story, Rose, so need not repeat it. Then,
in my pity for her and my bitter anger to-
ward you, was weak enough to offer to
renew that old engagement. need not
tell you that che eagerly accepted, and
then, In her joy or the agitation of the
moment, she fell to coughing severely and
ruptured blood vessel. Yes"-in answer
to Roses Mortified cry-"she is dead now,
mr. darling, but not before she had made
me understand the sacrifice you tried to
make for her. She knew that you loved
me, Rose. And now / shall not ask you
for that answer, dear. shall take it |
thus and he kissed her quivering lips.