Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-08-14

| aAti NOiy pIaiu' lICi NHOio EOul anu
| affection, I think, is centered in her
boy, She worships HIM
"Ah, she has child?"
eyes. The little one was born in In
dia, grew up very delicate, and two
years ago she brought him home He is
all right now, believe, and she seems
happy about him at last. got leave
about month before expected. She
does not know that am in Europe. 1
wandered here out of my way-not be-
ing in hurry to get home to Martha,
and found you, Margaret"
The thrill of gladness softened his
voice again as he uttered her name, so
long unspoken, and his eyes noted ten
derby every little detail of her beauty,
the glitter of her fair hair, the curves
of her lovely face, the folds of her soft
white dress. From the terrace above
the sound of the music came family in
dreamy air. A warm, light breeze
touched the laces and ribbons of her
dress and swayed the leaves above them
till the little lights and shadows danced
to and fro over her figure and the flow
ers Oh her lap. The years had only add
ed to her beauty, and they had been so
long apart.
Better that you had not-in the end
better thousand times. We must pay
for it afterward with such heavy
price! Fate has been such heavy usur-
er to us, my dear. -
If could only pay for both Of us, !"
said Stair. "But, in spite Of the price,
tell me, Margaret, you are glad that we
have met. Let fate exact what price
she will, tell me that you are glad just
for one minute-glad to be together and
alone, dearest. "
His lips touched hers, and for a mo-
ment her head lay on his shoulder. The
music walled above them, and the
breeze gave shivering sigh and left
them alone, while for minutes space
life and time and the universe itself
were forgotten. Then with football as
light as the leaves which the breeze
stirred woman came round the curve
Of the fowery screen and stood before
them. She was very small and plain,
with a wan, white face, from which
the pale hair was parted in sedate,
smooth bands, and her dress fell in
somber folds upon the rosy blossoms
which the wind had scattered from
Margaret's knees to the ground. Her
empty hands were interlaced, one upon
another, and pressed against her bosom.
"I-heard you--a little while ago, :"
she said after moment, while Stair
and Margaret sat dumb. 81 was Oh the
seat beyond. I heard Johns voice and
what he said. I am Martha"
Stair had sprung to his feet and stood
looking down at her. Margaret buried
her face in her hands.
II am Martha" the level, toneless
voice went on gently, "and-the child
my little son-is dead"
Stair made a step forward, but she
motioned him back with a gesture.
He was i'll again, month ago, and
the doctors said should try a warmer
climate So brought him here to the
sun and the flowers. He died week
the flowers he was so fond of and take
them to him. He loved the color, and
the earth is so brown and cold upon his
grave" Again she clasped her hands
upon her bosom and looked at Margaret
with her sad eyes that were fearless.
II heard you, John, and what you
said. It is true, l know. I am plain
and homely, and You married me for
pity. No, indeed, do not blame you.
You were very good. Many men would
not have done SO much. And now-the
child is dead And you"-she turned to
Margaret with break at last in her
level voice-"you have gathered all the
flowers could reachp'
Slowly Margaret lifted up her face
and looked at Stairs wife-wan, with
hanging black garments and hands
stretched out toward the blossoms on
her lap. Almost without knowing, she
lifted their mass Of rosy color and laid
it in those empty hands, Martha held
them gently and stood looking at the
two for moment-the man who was
her husband and the women that he
loved.
civil take them to the child, )" she
said.
She turned away. In one moment the
sunlight darkened to her eyes, and be-
fore Stair could catch her she had fallen
on the marble of the terrace.
She had taken them to the child
Madame.