Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-01-06

Asshoton had heard something Of pri.
yato Robinson's career. Ho knew that
Robinson vi "a gentleman rankor, T"
one Of tbSso good looking, reckless. un.
lucky fellows against whom fortune
seomsl 70 have a spite.
As AEsheton came to tho side Of his
berth the dying man stared mp with a
curious expression Of defiant despair.
Above him, beside him, all around the
deck lay other sufferers, listening and
Watching to hear what "the poor beg
gar" had TO say.
It was hardly the place for con-
fdences, and AEshoton felt fully the en-
barrassmont Of the position. Robinson,
however, had reached the time when
the world reccdcs into the background
Of ones consciousness and what has to
be done must be done at once Or lefs
forever unncoomplished.
He feebly siroye 20 take eomothing
from under hts pillow.
"Can / reach that for your asked
Assheton gently.
"I'vo waited too long, " said Robin
son. al intended to send this back my
self, but somehow ! put it off from day
TO day. Iconlcn't haar 80 part with i"
He stopped a minute AZ ho succeeded in
lifting mp en- envelope. then he coutin-
Ted, 81 want TO eend this back TO her
and tell her that thoaGh she sent mi to
the devil 1 loved her 10 the end" he
added, as Asshoton took the envelope
containing the photo FROM him, The
address is writtoa 81 the back Of it"
els there rotbing else can dofor
your said Atsheton husk.ly.
"Nothing. Thank you, sir, replied
Robinson. AID AssbotoI f,it &c was Dis
missed.
He turned away in silence and
tho hospital deck.
As no again passed through the dan
GERS the waltz was Fastening to its con
o%lusion, and the laughing, tuIkiug com
pany were dispensing IN search Of ices
and comfortable seats.
Phyllis Welsh was still sitting whero
Assheton had loft her.
You weTsn't long, che ssid. sril-
ing. What did Tommy want TO toll
you? Do tell me all aboct it?"
Something III her words grated
against Aasbeton's feelings. lie cat down
and replied slowly:
he asked nc to return n photo TO a
girl, and tell her that, though she
played him false, no loved her to the
end"
"Ohr" cried Phyllis. "How interest
ing II soundsi lave you got the photo
theIes Do show it to mo?'
You must not ask mo to do that, -
said Asshetcn grayely.
But Phyllis vas not accustomed to
bave her wishes unqualified. She leaned
forward ard looked up with her 0
dorful dark eyes glowing. "YYill you
refuse the first request I've over made
your che urged.
"Of course II you insist'- hesitated
Assheton
~ do iu-ist. I must 500 what too girl
is like. Some common, vulgar creature,
[ suppose, tAas the poor fellow localized
into a piece Of perfection.
"Probably, aasented Assheton dryly,
taking tho envelope frorl his pocket and
producing the photograph.
With eager curiosity Phyllis bent
over.
For tho space Of q second she stared,
rigid with astonishment AID dismay,
then ezclaiming, "Give it to me-oh,
give 1t TO mel'l she tried TO snatch the
photograph from Assheton.
IL was too late. Assheton, with blank
disgust, had already recognized tho
beautiful likeness.
"Giye It to me-, " che staminerod.
Certainly" replied Assheton. at
was what | promised to do.
Ho dropped tho photo into her hands
and strobe away.-Temple Bar.