Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-02-13

Doh ~ JSpi ooAoAi -
your idea is good, but it might not
work. jackson Smith is sharp He'd
see right through it, but-if-if you
would be willing we could drive over
to Squire Halls this afternoon and get
married. wouldn't trouble you any,
Sarah. We could go on just the same,
and I'll never want to marry any one
else, and if you should you could get a
divorce, you know"
"Oh, you re sure it makes no differ
ence-you don't mind, John?" Her
tone was eager.
"No, | don't mind. I'd help you any
way l could, Sarah. It'snigh noon now.
I'll drive over for you in the buggy
right after dinner"
"I'll be ready, and-I wouldn't have
asked you, John, only-only-you I'M
derstand how it is, don't your" Her
face was red again.
why, Sarah, where have you been?
You look as rosy as a poppy and Mrs,
Smith wiped the tears from her eyes as
she gazed at her daughters face.
"I've been attending to business for
us, mother. You will not leave the
place. Pm going over to Squire Halls
this evening John Howard is coming
to take me in the buggy"
The SUI was sinking low in the west
when John Howard and Sarah returned
from the squire's. !.
"Will you come in, John, and stay
about some? I'd-I'd rather you'd tell
him, if you don't mind, Sarah said.
John hitched the horse and went in.
He walked to the bedside of jackson
Smith and sat down.
"Uncle Jackson" be began, "I've
come to tell you what I've done. You
know that I've often warned you that
some day you would lose the most valu-
able possession you had
"It's the brindle heifer, " interrupted
jackson Smith, his eyes swapping an
grily, John Howard, you think be-
cause l am on my deathbed that you
can do as you please, but I'll show you.
It's just like you to shoot a neighbours
heifer just because she jumped into
your wheat. l don't expect anything
better of you-the whole party is made
up Of thieves and cutthroats-but I'll
leave it in my will. jackson Goggan
shall law and law until"- He sank
back exhausted from his outburst,
IF you get that angry over that
brindle heifer, Uncle jackson, l don't
know what you will say when l tell
you that l have not touched the heifer,
but l have married Sarah"
Married - Sarahl' and jackson
Smith s eyes dilated. Married Sarahr'
he said, under his breath. John, give
me your hand. | knew Sarah was a
Smith. Why, there never was an old
maid in the Smith family, but it did
seem she meant to take after the Walk
ers-her mother was a Walker. Sarah
married. | can 60 in peace, John,
now that you have lifted the disgrace
from the Smith family. Call Sarah. l
want to give her the brindle heifer."
When the lawyer came the next day,
he wrote a will ~bequeathing all, save a
life interest to Mrs. Smith, to his be-
loved daughter, Sarah, who had glad
dened the last hours of his life.
A few days later, with all due cere-
mony, Jackson Smith was laid away by
the side of other Smiths. John Howard
went home with his wife and her moth
or. At the porch he halted awkwardly,
seeing which Sarah turned.
evil you come in, John?' she asked.
"I'm afraid it would only poster you
if I did. reckon ought to go home,
but | hate to leave you-you women
folks alone-and you'll be kind of lone
some now"
"You might stay. We would fix up
fathers room real comfortable it you
would just as soon" said Sarah, begin.
ming to realize the awkwardness Of her
position.
"I'd like to, Sarah. could tend the
crop just as we'll, but I'd feel as if I
was living off of you women, and-and
you might get to hate me if I hung
around"
"You needn't be afraid Of that,
john" said Sarah, tapping her foot
n%ervously on the porch floor. "It would
be the easiest way out Of our-our-di-
lemma, but, if you'd rather not stay we
could explain to folks how it was that
you just married me to save the farm"
but, Sarah, if we told that, it
would be a lie. took advantage OF your
trouble to get you married to me, and
you didn't suspect me, but now l feel
mean and as if you will not respect me
when l tell you the truth. Sarah gazed
at him in wonder. What could he mean,
she thought, but no sound came from
her lips, and he continued: "I've been
trying for ten years to ask you to marry
me, but l new could do it, and when
you came to me in your trouble l jumped
at the chance, Sarah, because I wanted
you've always wanted you, but now
/ feel | can't s~tay-unless you can take
me for your husband in earnest" His
eyes did not lift to her face.
"Johnl" Her eyes were open wide in
amaze, and the face SO lately tear stain
ed became radiant with unexpected Joy.
"You love me?' she questioned in Glad