Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-06-25
A SENSE OF DUTY.

A woman was riding quickly across a
rough, half cleared paddock. She was
seated sideways on a mans saddle, n
kept her balance with the ease born Of Gus
tom. On two sides stretched heavy forest.
On the other two the country swept away
in gentle u%ndulations, heavily wooded,
till it merged with a low line of hills into
the blue horizon.
Of clearing looked raw and unsightly-
new fences, blackened trees and logs,
stretches of land Uttered with felled trees
and scrub, drying for "a burn. Everywhere
was the first dcsolation of clearing.
The horse stopped abruptly at the slip
rails. His rider pulled them down with
out dismounting and urged him into a
brisk carter along the winding track,
which lay i'll heavy shadow for a mile or
so, and then opened out into clearer coun-
try, where tall, straight gums were
wreathed for their 20 or so feet Of height
with new bushy sprouts, looking in the
uncertain light like a huge fantastic hop
garden.
Suddenly there was the sound Of rapid
hoofs approaching. The woman pulled up
and her hand went quickly to her hair to
arrange a struggling lock, thence to her
neck to straighten her tie, and SO, with
quick feminine touches, to belt and skirt.
Round the turn of tho road appeared a
man., who drew up hastily as he saw her
and so close that their hands met instantly.
II got your letter yesterday" she said.
He smiled and gazed into her face. sit
is two months since l saw you, but you
are coming away with me now"
She drew her hand away from him.
mo, l am not coming"
"Not coming? Nary"
II would have written to you," she
went on, ''but l had not your address.
But 1 am not going with you"
"Not going! You mean not this mo-
ment, but in a day or two
~ don't mean that. l mean that I am
never going away with you"
"Never! Good God! What have ]
worked and waited for? What have !
thought Of night and day but you, always
you? OF your coming to me, of our going
away to forget all the past and begin life
again"
'sAh!" she drew her breath sharply.
"Don't. I must not think of that. It Is
all over now. Everything is changed nov.
I cannot go away. Alick was struck by a
falling tree u day or two after you left and
he'll never be able to walk again, the doc
tor says. He vii! grow even more helpless
as the years go by"
"And you-you are to stay and nurse
him and work for him. Is that what you
mean?"
She nodded. "What else could l dor"
"Couldn't he be got into a hospital orr
"And leave his wife free to olope with
another man." she interrupted, with a
jarring laugh.
she has beaten and kicked you. Drunk
or sober he ill used you. What duty do
you owe himS You love me, and I could
make you happy. Come, dear!"
She looked away from him into the
wide, darkening landscape. "No, I will
not come. There is only me to look after
him. I am young and strong, and what
ever you may say it is my duty"
SIT is not, he cried ~passionately. "You
love me and gave me your promise. Did
he ever show you any consideration? We're
you better treated than his wretched dogp''
"Hush!" she interrupted sharply.
"Isn't it hard enough without all thats
You must go away. I know what 1 have
to do, and l will do it,"
He leaned toward her and took her
hand. II can't let you 60, Mary. You
are mine, and I will not let you go back to
that brute"
Her fingers frightened on his. ~ am
going to do it. 1t Is hard, but there is
nothing else to be done. Who but I can
look after him, feed him, nurse himY"
He realized, entirely against his will,
that she was in earnest and no pleading
could turn her. As her fingers lay In his
he felt a wild impulse to lift her from the
saddle and carry her away, making her
his and freeing her from her hateful bond.
age.
"How will you liver" There was a faint
hope that she would let him assist her
that he might come and work for her.
She sighed: "That is theseasicst part. ]
am as strong as q horse. Our lard Is good
and nearly all cleared. Outdoor work !
have always liked, and one thinks less In
the open air. In the nighttime n is too
tired to care what happens broken
heart doesn't matter. A fair allowance 81
sleep is what one longs for most"
"Go, then!" he said thickly. II under
stand you. But I love you, and, my God,
it Is only because I love you that I let you
Co." Then he kissed her cheek. II love
you, and you are the best woman on Gods
earth. May he help you. Ican't. I'd only
hurt you"
She bent and kissed the hand that wa
tight on her wrist. He drew " away has
tily and roughly. Don't! Go quickly. ]
understand you, but ! love you"
Her breath came In a thick sob. Their
she turned hastily, and . o the sound o.
her horses hoofs was lost on the dusty
track Sydney Bulletin.
M IN AL M