Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-02-11

gained cOntrOl OF her voice nov "Shi
is a good, noble woman, far better thai
l am, and l don't wonder that you Low,
her."
"You NEAR loved" corrected Jack
"My love for her is i'll the past tense
not the present"
"'True love can never die, >" quoted
Dora gravely. Wasn't it tie divin,
William who said that? But there
Jack, we have talked enough Of love 70,
one evening. Don't you think SOL"
but you haven't promised to marry
me yet"
"You didn't ask me that question
You simply asked mt if 1 loved you
and you got your answer, I believe"
"And I am to take the rest for grant
ed, eh?"
swell, no. Nothing should be takel
for granted in this world. I'll give 20,
your answer, but not now. I think II
better send it to you in writing"
"My, my! How formal we are get
ting all at once. But, after all, l thinl
I prefer it that way; then I can carry
your note next to my heart for a masco
until you are mine for good and all
Shan't I run over here for it tomorrow
morning? I'm anxious to get it as sool
as possible"
"No. I'll mail it to your Office il
New York"
"All right, Dora, and now just on,
before I CO." He bent down and plant
ed a kiss on her unresisting lips
"Thanks, dear. Now, please forget tina
there even was any other girl and dom
look quite SO sober the next time I call
I'll be over again Wednesday evening
if nothing happens. Good night, Dora.
GOOD night, Jack"
When Jack Vernon reached his Office
In Temple court the next morning, hs
found Dora Stevens note awaiting him.
Tearing it open, he read:
BROOKLYN, N. Y, $50 p. M, March Is.
DEAR ACK-The love / expressed for yet
an hour ago I find has turned to pity, and
am going to make you happy by sending t.
you the only woman you have q right to mar
~. After hearing your confession and know
ing what I do l could never be happy with you
! know you think you are in love with me, but
the tendrils of your heart are still intwinet
around that early love, and-and she needs yor
more than I do. ! told you she was my school
mate years ago. ! still regard her as one Of my
dearest friends, and, though we have never
met since we graduated, WI have always KEEP
up a correspondence. ! inclose my latest letter
from her, received two months ago. l did moi
know until tonight who the man was that sh.
loves. ! know now, and I wish you both al
the JOY that life in each others society car
bring you. Go to her, Jack, and make hel
happy, and my blessing and prayers will 70
with you. Not good night this time, but good
byl Ever your friend, Dora.
The Enclosure ran as follows:
ROCHESTER,, N. Y, Jan. IL.
MY DEAR DoRA-No, / am not engaged yet
and never expect to be. / have had plenty Of
chances to confer my hand and fortune, es-
pecially the latter, pom aspiring applicants,
but I have declined them all. l have never met
a man l really cared for except one, and I be.
lieve he cared for me at a time. Perhaps he
does yet; but, alas, he discovered that | was
an heiress, and then pride Che was a young
lawyer with plenty Of brains and ambition,
but no money! held him back. He loved me-
10y AOUIu oAA AAV uAAuu-pup 4O1tuu6 uuIlGI6
were futtering round me like moths around
a candle, and l suppose he was afraid If he
spoke he would be classed with the rest, Just
as though the alchemy Of a woman's love could
not detect the gold among the dross.
All, well, he is gone, and there's no use
mourning for the pasti ! cannot help signing,
though, to think that the very money which
has attracted 30 many society moths should
drive away the only man ! ever loved!
There, Dora, you have my secret and know
why I shall evermore a maiden be, but please
don't tell. Wishing you a lover true some
time, dear Dora mot being burdened with
wealth, you won't have SO many unworthy
ones as y, and hoping to hear from you soon,
/ remain, with oceans Of love, yours sincerely,
EDITH BURTON.
Late that afternoon Dora Stevens re-
ceived the following brief message from
Jack Vernon:
Ny DEAR DoRA-Many thanks for your kind
note and the Enclosure. There are at least two
angels left on earth. You are one Of them.
May heaven ever guard and bless youl Yours
gratefully, JACK.
P. ST. start for Rochester at once and will
mail this on my way to the train.
And as Dora read these words she
smiled mi little, wee ghost Of a smile
and whispered:
"Better my heart than hers!'-Wil.
liam Seldom Gidley in Chicago Record.