Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-10-25
THE REAL REASON.

had arrived at Monte Carlo about 3
O'Clock and after a late lunch set out
in search of my friends the Verneys. I
found Master Arthur, a serious minded
young politician of 20, in his room at
the hotel. He was completing an elab-
crate toilet and drinking champagne.
"AynsleyP' he cried in surprise. II
Thought you were in London"
"The spirit of restlessness," l ex-
planned. My eye dwelt for a moment on
the champagne. ga little low, Arthur"
He blushed. Arthur was the highly
respectable son of an eminently respect
able father, who was M. P. and other
things.
He glanced at the clock, then rose and
picked up his hat and gloves.
ga stroll!" / finished, with a grin.
He laughed nervously.
''Look here, Aynsley," he said,
"you'll find the governor and Evelyn OH
the terrace. Do you mind if I u away
now?'
1 got up and laid a hand on his shout
der in a paternal fashion. "She is a
woman in a thousand, Arthur. Au re-
voir and good luck!"
He blushed again-he was really q
most nervous young mainland hurried
away. I followed him out Of the hotel,
then strolled leisurely through the gar
dens and round to the terrace. I espied
Mr.. Verney and>his daughter sitting al
most Immediately in the rear of the ca
sine. I walked up to them.
"Well 'pon my word!' cried Mr..
Varney. A smile dimpled round Miss
Verney's mouth as she took my hand. I
explained lucidly how it was I came to
leave London in so unexpected a fashion.
"It enslaves us all, " I finished, with
a graceful wave Of my hand toward the
casino.
Indeed" said Miss Verney politely.
After a few minutes conversation
Mr.. Verney pulled out his watch.
"I'm very glad you came, Aynsley,
he said, "as I left off last night in the
midst of a little mathematical expert
ment with trente ct quarante, and l
thought that if you would kindly look
after Evelyn I'd''-
"Delightedv' I said quickly. 81 trust
the experiment will be brought to a sat
isfactory conclusion"
AS soon as he had taken his departure
I glanced at Miss Verney. She was ex-
aiming the handle of her parasol with
some in~tentness. / made a mental note
that white suited her admirably-in
fact, better than any other girl Of my
acquaintance.
perfect weather, I remarked at
length. She nodded in a ~preoccupied
manner.
1T have been wondering" she said
after a moment, "why you came here"
Ibid you not hear me explain?" I
began.
She smiled.
ooh, yes, butt
"Surely nothing further is needed.
The attraction Of Monte Carlo is world
famed"
II do not believe, MI. Aynsley, I" she
said deliberately, "that you have ever
gambled in your life"
tried another tack.
"Well, then, I'm rather delicate, and
the chill, damp fogs Of London are
rather trying to an invalid"
Again Miss Verney laughed.
"How unsympathetio you arel"
"The deep sea fishing last winter
must have been rather bad for you. No,
Mr.. Aynsley, I'm a clear sighted young
person, and I can quite see what has
brought you go suddenly to Monte Car.
To-"
"Well?'' I said, with an air Of indif-
ference.
She played with the tassel on her
parasol for a moment. Then she smiled.
MRS. Fairfax, - she said at length.
I laughed outright.
"How amusingl Nothing Of the sort.
The usual attraction, I assure YOU"
"Mrs. Fairfax"
Gambling or invalid's natural
aversion to chill, damp fogsl"
"Mrs. Fairfax repeated Miss Yer
ney once again, with just o shade Of
emphasis.
Igave it up.
IA very charming person." I said.
"You admit itr' and her voice held
a tiny note of triumph.
Don't your" I replied wonderingly.
'She is talented, pretty, agreeable
and"-
IA widow" put in Miss verney.
Eyes, but her husband was hardly
more than an acquaintance. He went to
India, you know, shortly after their
marriage, and was killed. Do you not
think her fascinatings"
Eyes, undoubtedly she is a pleasant
companion" HI
"And I'm a lonely bachelor manP' !
remarked alphabetically.
She turned to me with a smile. "For-
give me-, she said kindly, for re-
minding yon Of your pitiful condition.
( only meant to show you that ! guessed