Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-02-16
OBTUSE JACK.

to let Jack work out his career alone.
The clang at the doorbell was the signal
for the last hurried peep in the glass.
Theodore felt a moments pity for Jack Of
she caught the reflection. They were go.
ing to Mrs. Hathaway's soiree, and the
mirror gave back to Theodora's vision ali
the loneliness Of her gown, enhanced by
the pretty bare neck and crowned by the
fair young face.
1t occurred to her several times during
the evening that Jack was notacting espe.
oially worried. Although tonight was the
time she had set as the utmost limit of
her consideration, he had not intimated
by look or word that he remembered this.
Theodore resolved to be severe, and it
was with this resolution in mind that she
suggested sitting out one Of the dances
which showed q scrawly -" opposite on
her programme.
Certainly, If you wisb," assented
Jack, arranging the cushion behind his
head. "In fact, I begin to think I'm a
trife tired myself. Quite a crush here to-
night"
eyes, said Theodore.
II should think" continued Jack, gag
ing out into the ballroom, THAT Hunt
would retire from society, or from dancing
at least. just look at him now whirling
around like a top that hasn't been wound
up tight enough. He's beginning to wab-
bie."
No response from Theodore.
HE gets terribly red in the face, too, and
the way he mops his forehead ia a sign Of
age. He's really quite bald, isn't her l
only hope Ill remember 1t when 1 get
old" !.
"Oldv' exclaimed Theodore. "Mr. Hunt
is q comparatively young man."
Compared to a c~entenarian, perhaps
*"
Theodore did not deign to 8 After
. short silence Jack said, suddenly arrang-
ing his head prop more comfortably. "By
the way, I've been considering the ques-
ton I asked you a week ago, and I've con-
cluded to save you the trouble of calculate
ing matters too. It's no use, Theodore, I
CAM support a wife. / have figured it in
every way and I can't make both ends
meet"
Tbeodora's face hardened. II might
have saved you the trouble Of calculating
BY giving my answer q week ago" she
sN4cs u Etfu .=.teH 80
Then you weren't going to accept me
anyway exclaimed Jack. by Jove, !
was almost afraid you would"
"lndeedf'
"Oh, now, see here, Theodore" ex-
claimed Jack, for the first time turning
toward her. "Don't he down on me. I
supposed you'd look at this thing sensibly.
Neither Of us believe In long engagements,
% It Is better to break OF entirely
than 70 worry along for six Or eight years
until all the poetry has disappeared from
lie"
: presuppose the case. never
mould nave suggested waiting"
Theodore arose and smoothed the folds
o. her draperies. q
Since I'm going to marry another man
! don't see the use Of any further CONVEX
sation on this subject"
Marry another man" exclaimed Jack,
starting orward never thought Of
that, Theodore.
Ihe oonsternation In his voice was a
sAsisfaction 70 her.
Y presume not" she said coldly.
y not = OF your virtues"
ne dia not answsr her, and she moved
toward ',Ss.' sh Ts asS., d,
you; y is for your sake
me believe 1t. However, that 4 q no CON
sequence"
but II n Of consequence, Theodore.
May ! ask who 1t is you are going to
marrys'
IL 10 MI. Hunt, = she replied haughtily.