Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-02-11
LOVED HER FRIEND.

-
His kisses were still warm on her lips.
Their hearts were beating in unison,
though not SO tumultuously as before,
and now that the first rapture and thrill
were over they were asking questions
and making their little confessions after
the manner of lovers on the threshold Of
an engagement.
"How many times have I been in love
before? Now, Jack, do you think that is
o fair question: she asked, meeting his
look with a roguish glance.
why, certainly it is, Dora" he re-
piled earnestly. "You say you love me,
SO it doesn't really make any difference
about the others. They're done for now,
but I think I ought to know. Still, if
there are SO many Of them
please stop, Jack. I won't have you
saying such dreadful things, and with
that look Oh your face, " she interrupted,
playfully placing her hand over his
mouth, but quickly withdrawing it
when he attempted to kiss it.
"How dare you," she exclaimed,
latter the way you've been ~talking?"
"Well, if you don't want me to say
things why don't you answer my ques-
tion?"
Unjust !, Jack?"
II am afraid you must, my dear"
"And you won't hate me after I tell,
will your"
tSuyo1I3S aHs "
"'That depends you are going to
say. You needn't hesitate SO long. I can
read your thoughts"
"Can you? That's convenient for you,
I'm sure. l wish I could read yours;
then I'd know the answer to my ques-
tion."
Would you really like to know"
"Why, yes, or I shouldn't have asked
it,"
well, Jack, if it will relieve your
mind any oknow it you have no prede-
cessors."
fare you sure, Dora?"
eyes, Jack. You are the first and
only"
"Thanks awfully, Dora. I'm glad to
hear it, and now that question is settled
we will''-
"Oh, no, my boy! You don't get off
quite go easily as thati Iwant your oon-
fession now. About how many dozen
times have you been in love, pray tell?"
Jack Vernon WINGED. He hadn't
counted o. this exactly.
Come, young man, you are nov on
the witness stand, sworn to tell the
truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the TRUTH she continued banteringly.
"Must II" said Jack, helplessly re-
peating her question of a few minutes
before.
t"I am afraid you must, my dear"
mimicked she.
9"But I am afraid you will hate me
after l confess"
IT'S the record, then, SO long?"
"No. 1t il . very short one. I have
never loved but once-before.
"And she-she refused you?"
sNo; I never asked her."
why notf You see, I want the
whole story now"
Because Of pride. She was a wealthy
heiress, / q penniless lawyer, with my
fame and fortune yet to make. I loved
her; I am not ashamed to say it. She
was q woman that one could not help
loving; abe was alto me then that you
are now, and"-
"And more. Go ON and say it, Jack.
I want the whole truth"
"No, I won't say that, but she was
the first, and love was q new sensation
to me then, and if I had been her equal
in wealth and station I might-but,
pshawl What's the use of telling you
all this? 1t is all over now. Her love was
not for me. / have put it aside-and,
besides, ! have you. But why are you
looking 90 sober, Dora? Have I confess.
ed too much? You wanted the whole
truth, you know"
Eyes, and I am glad you were brave
enough to tell it. How long ago was it
that-that this h~appened?" she faltered.
Three years"
And her name?" she asked, in low
tones.
Need ! tell that?'
"Yes. please" said Dora family.
Edith Burton.
Dora's face grew suddenly pale.
II thought perhaps she was the one, 4"
she said In : voice that Jack scarcely
recognized.
Why, do you know herr" he az
claimed In surpriea.