Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-08-17
best for me, young as I may be. When

best for me, young as I may be. When
my fate comes slong"-
"That time is not yet, Of course?'' said
she.
Oh, anxious, despairing heart!
"No," I cried, and s%huddered in
dread expectation of some tragic sign
from her. But she was strangely calm.
It almost seemed to me that a light of
relief leaped into her eyes-the relief
of the tortured soul at hearing sentence
of death
A great silence fell Oh us. She unused,
looking at me with strange intentness.
"Mr. Wroughtnight, she said, II
have a mind to be honest with you. I
have a strong prejudice in favor of hon
est dealing. My honesty may cost me
your good opinion, but I don't mind
that. 1 mean that l have enough faith
in your good sense to believe that you
won't think me %unwomanly and inn
modest in saying what l propose to
say"
I rose in great agitation.
"Miss Marsh" I said, "pause, re.
feet! Don't speak yet. You may save
us both much pain"
"NonsenseP' she said sharply.
Twas surprised and a little affronted.
~ beg your pardon" said I. $50
on"
She f1uttered her fan %nervously.
II am afraid" she said, 1--WE don't
quite understand one another. At least,
I think l understand, but you don't"
moistened my dry lips. go on" I
said again breatblessly.
"Mrs. Cheedle has told you something
about me:"
"No."
"Mr. Cheedle, then? Somebody"
"Yes," said l.
"What have they told your"
"I-I cannot repeat it. Miss Marsh,
let me implore you to say no nor Let
us go back"
"No," she replied. II will tell you
what they said. They told you that +
/ "a in love with your"
"They were mistaken I cried, still
willing to spare her.
"Yes, they were," she responded
calmly.
gasped and leaned back in my chair.
"They told me-" said she, ''that you
were in love with me-"
A bitterness Of humiliation flooded
my soul.
II have no doubt they meant we'll, "
said she.
"Oh, there is no doubt of thatP' !
! agreed sourly.
"Perhaps they thought they might
make a match between us that way.
Young married couples are always the
busiest matchmakers. And really, do
you know, I think they showed some
knowledge Of poor human nature in this
instance at any rate"
She smiled. l felt too sick to smile.
~ Am sorry" she said, "if you feel
at all hurt by this revelation Of truth. "
Then I saw the absurdity Of my posi-.
tion and summoned my sense Of humor
to the rescue. 1t was not possible to re
main insensible Of Miss Marsh's mag
nificent command of her own dignity.
IT was a fool" said l.
81, too" said she. "But it does not
matter now it is all over, does it? And,
anyway, nobody will know. We shall
both keep the secret inviolate, I dare say,
for our honor's sake"
II am afraid you must think ms
rather a conceited ass, Miss Marsh"
"Don't be silly" said she. "Yor
thought as | did"
"But with less reason" said l, bow
ing.
She looked reproachfully at me.
II have been sincere with you, Mr.
Wroughtnight."
"That is why pay you compliments.
[ want to restore the balance of things.
"We seem to understand one another
now. / think we might be friends
said she.
She gave me her hand, and I claspet
it warmly. But whenever l recall tina
absurd interview my very body blusnes
Edwin Pugh in New York Worio.