Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-10-19
IN THE GLASS.

IN THE GLASS.
It was May Waldegrave's sympathet-
ic nature rather than her charms Of face
and figure that led Mark Carstone, the
author of "a Trifing Affair."" to be-
stow his friendship upon her. Carstone
had sought long for bright, intellec
tual maiden Of romantic temperament
with whom he could discuss his work,
and when he. met May his search was at
an end. She was tender and ardent and
entered into his work with enthusiasm.
She was elated at the honor vouchsafed
her, and for time the friendship ran
on in the smoothest of grooves
For time. Of course it could not
last forever. May was the first to real
ize this. Her face bore rueful look as
this fact forced itself upon her Car
stones Indifference to women S person
al charms was proverbial He was so
absorbed in his own puppets that he had
no time to devote to those who trod the
human stage In vain she wore her
prettiest gowns-he never seemed to no.
tice these things like other men.
And yet he wrote the most delightful
love stories-wrote, too as though he
had sounded every note on loves Tyre.
AS May finished his last book she felt
that in spite Of his seeming ignorance
he knew more about a woman's heart
than most men of her acquaintance.
Tears Of vexation stood in her blue eyes
as she thought of her folly. Her girl
friends one and all refused to believe
that literature always formed the sub
ject of those long discussions she held
with him in secluded corners and were
beginning to "talk. %
At Lady Barrowmere's reception she
was sitting beneath big palm discuss
ing "a Trif1ing Affair" with its au-
thor. Most girls of Mary's age called
him old. He was barely p85, but GER
tain thinness in the dark hair made him
appear more.
$50 you think it the best thing |
have ever done?" he said
"Oh, yes"
"Yet some Of the critics say other
wise. Kirk, now, in The Scarifier, SIM
| ply tears it to shreds.
She tossed her head in contempt.
ooh, Kirk! Why, he is 60, and, as
every one knows, he was Tilted in his
| youth. "
'What has that got to do with it,"
he asked in surprise.
Everything. You can't expect a
woman Halter to appreciate love story. :"
"True' -
"Only girl should criticise such d
book. think it is perfect, and when l
know that you have written it-well, !
think it is wonderful"
"Why should you think that?"
Because l had no idea you knew
such lot about girls-about love-
II don't know much"
"You know everything. That girl in
your story-Beatrice-is very lifelike.
II am glad you think SO" he said,
his pale face flushing with pleasure.
"There is one part especially that
seems to me SO very true"
"What part is that?'
"Where she is thinking of her future
lover, picturing the kind Of man she
would like"
You believe all girls have such fan
cies?"
She bent her head II know they
have, !" she answered shyly.
"You-you have had them YOURSELF"
he said, after short pause
"Ye-es."
He leaned back in his chair and fixed
his mild eyes refectively on the ceiling.
II wonder if could picture the hero Of
your dream" he murmured in mus.
ing tone. S,
She laughed little, nervous laugh.
u don't think you could"
Now I do, he said briskly.
"Try."
VERY we'll First Of all, he must be
young"
"He needn't be very young"
About 25?''
I'm, mOrel
Thirty"
"Thirty-five would be bstter," she
murmured, studying the point Of her
satin slipper.
Thirty five! Why, that's my age.
You don't want an old man?''
You're not an old man. /"
II must seem so to you.
Indeed you don't" she replied
earnestly. Besides, ! don't like boys.
He nodded. II see. Well, So. Hand
some?''
"N-o. I shouldn't call him exactly
handsome mean-that is" blushing
furiously. "it's not absolutely neces-
sary.
''Rioh?''
Moderately"
"Clever?'
Eyes, very clever.
"Ahl A brilliant politioian?"
"No; think should prefer him TO
be a--writer.
"A post, eh?'
"No"
"A novelist?',,
Yes . novelist--s distinguished
novelist = IN
He looked ~ her in puanled kind Of