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

took up the box from her lap and broke
the string. A note lay on a bed OF deep
purple, fragrant ~yiolets, and as she saw
just the n word, "Theodora," in the
familiar, scrawly writing, her heart gave
a joyous bound. She opened the note and
read these words: "The fool and his money
soon parted"
She stared at the line. So Jack consid-
cred himself q fool for spending a few pal
try cents on her, and this after their con
versation at the Hathaways! Oh, it was
unbearable for any man to be SO insult
ing, and Jack of all men!
She took a little pencil from her pocket
book and wr1te underneath the obnoxious
message from Jack, SIT would be wise to
tack the yiolets on to one of those ends
which will not meet"
When Jack received the box addressed in
Theodora's handwriting, he eagerly opened
the package. Inside he found his poor
violets withered, and then he read the pen
oiled words, SIT would be wise to tack the
violets on to one of those ends which will
not meet"
"By Joye!" he exclaimed. "That bor-
ders on sarcasm. Wonder why she didn't
like them. I'll take a run up Sunday
and find out"
Jack was as good as his word and quite
distracted Theodora's thoughts from her
prayers when his unexpected self swung
into the church on Sunday morning. She
treated him with dignity which smacked
Of hauteur, but poor Jack was entirely un-
conscious.
by the way" he remarked casually
that evening, utterly unaware of or at
least not noticing the frigidity Of Theo.
dora's manner, "why didn't you keep the
Violetsf I meant you should"
Indeed, did you? ! did the best l could
to restore a FOOLS money"
II say, that's rather hard, on me, Theo-
dora. But, of course, l know you only
meant it as a joke, same as l did. But I
am sorry you did not keep them"
"a joke!" she exclaimed. II think
your jokes are in rather poor TASTE"
"Oh, never mind; that's all over now.
Say, I congratulated Hunt the other day,
and 1t didn't seem to set we'll"
Theodore gasped: "How dare you do
such a thingP' she exclaimed. "How dare
you insult me in this wayp 1 have never
been treated so. First you proposed to me
and-and''-
II didn't NEAR to insult you by that,
Theodore"
"Oh, you know what I mean! You told
me you did not want to marry me because
I would be an expense. Then you dared
to NEEDLE in Mr.. Hunts affairs"-
"Now, Theodora''-
"Then you send me q box of flowers SO
you can poster me with your excessive bril-
liancy Of thought. Then, to cap all, you
come up here to taunt me with all this
and call it all a joke. I never thought it
of you. T.
"Why, Theodore, what is the matterp
Don't cry, for heavens sakev' implored
Jack, attempting consolation and exhibit
ing immense awkwardness.
"Oh, I say, Theodora," he said. 81
didn't know you felt this way about It'll"
II don't" sobbed Theodore.
"But, my dear, you certainly do. Upon
my word, l did not know that you were
not engaged to Hunt. l apologized to him,
and it's all right. And I sent the flowers
because I knew you like v~iolets, and the
note was only a joke. And I said that I
did not want to marry you because / was
sure you would refuse me at first. But I
don't believe you would marry any one
else or be engaged SO soon. Tell me any
way, Theodore, why won't you marry
me?"
because you don't want me to-" she
said sobbingly.
my dear Theodore, 1t seems to me you
are wonderfully Dense" he said, taking
her in his arms. -Peterson's.