Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-03-30

wise choice, Edlth!' l went on.
"Isn't that a matter for my W con
sideration?"
~ am your nearest male relative''-
Edith was an orphan, which was q
blessing-''you have practically nc one
to look to but yourself. OF course your
happiness is a grave responsibility"
Just now it was poor Fred's appetite
or heart or something. You must be
very busy looking after other peoples
concerns"
ut is so easy to make a mistake"
"He is very fond of me-"
II don't think you are the girl to en-
joy a divided affection with Stuart
Mill"
II prefer a division with Stuart Mill
to n with Constance Droury."
"No one,"I said, with the air Of
making a confession, could think Of
making a division between you and
Miss Droury."
IT should hope not" she said quick
~.
"Miss Droury is pretty
"lf you like big eyes and a silly
mouth"
"Her mouth is sweet, not silly"
"Oh, Of course, if you think Stiffness
sweet, there is al end to it,"
"But she cannot compare with you"
Thanks"
"She is very amusing"
Zone is always amused at ill natured
gossip"
"But her conversation lacks the spar.
kle Of yours"
"You are very good"
II like to be impartial. You have
your FAULTS
"Of oourse!'' she conceded.
"You are jealous"
"That is absurd! | was never jealous
Of any one in my life"
"Vain."
"You r ~unbearably rude! | am not
vain. l don't think half enough of my.
self. Fred said only yesterday
"Never mind Fred"
II thought you were reading me a
lecture for not minding him. Go on
with my faults"
"And capricious."
II am not!"
Five men in three weeks, Edith"
1T lisa country house. What is one
to do? ! can't feed the chickens all
day"
"But in spite of your faults you oan
be very NICE"
"That at all events is very o~onsoling.
Fred will have some recompense."
"But what has he got to do with it?'
I queried.
"My dear cousin, I have been touched
by your pathetic appeals OH his be-
half
II have not appealed on his behalf. I
have simply pointed out the wrong you
are doing him by flirting with him."
-"and have come to the conclusion
to regard it no longer as a mere firta.
tom
"You can't be really serious?"
-"and to permit tho now aspect to
apply in u retrospective as we'll as in a
prospective character"
"This is folly, Edith"
"For your sake and to tighten your
burden Of responsibility. 1t is wisdom.
You look quite oareworn."
IF you would only talk senseW
"And your cigar has gone out-really,
I had no idea that you would take my
p0ccadillO ~ ea~riously."
"You can't mean it, you know. It's
impossible, Edith"
my dear cousin, do you really think
me so g~raceless? As you say, you are my
nearest male relative, and you must
know best"
"But Freddie is out Of the ques-
ton"
"The difference Of three years is very
great. You have three years accumu-
lated wisdom. I feel that my happiness
is quite safe in your hands"
but it won't be in my hands-it
will be in Fred's."
"They are fairly strong"
Tenderness as well az strength is re-
quired. Happiness is so fragile"
"But you certainly limited that ] was
mot capable Of taking care Of myself.
Fred seems to be the only caretaker Of
fering at present"
"Don't you think you had better give
It into my keeping? I seem to be the
proper guardian"
1.-The nearest male relative within
the three years. wisdom?"
II really am q much better fellow
than Fred-I have never read Stuart
Mills works."
"But you have Constanoe's eyes"
IF Mill is as unfaithful''-
"Oh, you dear boyi They are weak,
aren't they?"
"Dreadfully insipid."
II don't think she 10 really pretty"
"No-clothes, ! think"
"Her things never struck me as be-.
ing-well, stylish"
"Ah, you never zee her when you
are not Fessnt, and comparisons are
edious-to her."
Perhaps 60"
"Then we have settled?"
"Just to put Fred out Of his misery"
Poor Fred!"
"He can't very we'll 60 on hoping
now we are
Engaged" I said triumphansiy.
On, the whole, I am not certain that