Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1898-06-24
A WOMAN'S WAY.

The hoproom at Fort BiciKihbon wns
gay with flags; tho floor was like a
FURNISHED mirror; nearly all the mar
riod officers were there with their wives
and daughters, and Of course not a
bachelor was missing; the gold lace on
tho uniforms glittercd in tho blaze Of
many lights; women who in the day
time were merely ordinary mortals had
taken ON with their evening gowns an
air of spirituelle beauty q waltz had
just ended. and the dancers wero col
looted in groups, talking and laughing;
tho oornetist of the band was playing a
solo, when Captain and Mrs. Kingsley
came into the room.
The oornetist caught his breath and
lost a note, but no ono noticed. Tho
talking and laughing ceased. Every ono
knew that Mrs. Kingsley was the most
beautiful woman in tho army, but 10
n had ever seen her as beautiful as
she was that night.
She was very tall, with n full yet
slender figure Of SURPRISING grace. Her
hair and eyes were dark. Her skin was
creamy white, with u real rose tinge in
her checks. She wore a black gown,
AID her shoulders CLEANED above the
chiffon that draped the bodice.
The simile is hackneyed, but her eyes
were indeed as bright as the diamonds
in her hair. A great red rose burned over
her heart, and as she stood in the door
way beside her husband she made a pic
ture that could not be ignored.
Every one looked at her, but she
looked at Captain Howard only, who
was standing alone, and who, after gaz-
ing at her a moment as il %spellbound,
went toward her.
Her eyes were solemn, her month un.
smiling, as she gave him her hand.
"Well Howard" said Captain
Kingsley cordially, laying his hand on
Captain Towards shoulder. They had
been roolnmatos at West Point and firm
friends from that time on.
How are you, Rob?" said Captain
Howard co~nstrainedly.
"Why, what's the matter?" said Cap
tain Kingsley. "You look as solemn as
IN owl"
II feel just as l look, T" snid Captain
Howard. MRS. Kingsley, may 1 have
the next dancer
II hopo it isn't tho thought of dane
ing with me that dopresses you, " Mrs.
Kingsley said, making an effort to speak
lightly.
II need not answer that, " said Cap
tain Howard.
The music began, and Mrs. Kingsley
nodded and smiled to hor husband as
she danced away with Captain Howard.
For n few moments neither spoke.
Then his arm grow tense around her,
But he did not draw her closer.
"Great heavensi This is terriblel"
Mrs. Kingsley whispered.
~ wonder if you can imagine how
like a traitor l feel?" said Captain
Howard. II am devoted to Rob, yet
here l am, trying to steal his wife"
"But you cannot feel as much like q
traitor as l do, for after all his goodness
to me-his unfailing love-I want to
DO stolen"
He stopped dancing and offered her
his arm. They went out OH to the porch.
At the farther end Of it ho turned to-
ward her, and she stepped back from
him q little way.
This cannot go ON forever, " he said.
"Do you really love me?" she asked.
"You know IT,"
"And do you know how 1 love you?''
yes"
For a moment she looked into his
eyes, then she held out her hands to his.
mo" he said firmly, taking them,
but holding her away from him, 81
still have some sense of honor. If Rot
..sara not "a frfonA - wvpn1I no difror
ent, but as it is you must either &c
away with me ana DO mine altogether
or you must stay here and DO only bis. D
"But If l go away with you it will
break Rob's heart.
~ can break his heart without com,
junction, but / cannot kiss his wife GU,
here In the dark and then 60 back into
the boproom and speak to him as {
trusted friend"
She looked at him scrutinizingly.
"What a curious thing a man is, ,
she said. my sense of honor would b.
satisfied if 1 could keep him from know
ing, for l would hate to hurt his feel
ings."
"Then | am afraid that you have n,
sense Of honor, I" 10 said smiling.
Eyes, / have" sho said, without tbs
slightest resentment in her voice. a.
wouldn't do anything if he were away
but when he is here to take care Of M
and to defend his wi honor ! really
don't think that 1t is very wrong foi
me to do anything / can without hi
finding out"
"What a curious thing a woman is,
he said mockingly. but leniently
However, il is easy for a man TO over
look a great many weaknesses and short
comings in the woman he loves"
"And when a woman loves q mai
Rhe overlooks nothing" said Mrs
Kingsley. ut would grieve me t
death II you were willing to deceiy,
Rob. I am happy in my love for you be
cause ] believe that II l did run ava,
with you you would be as true to me q
1ou are TO him"