Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-03-03

and this was our crucial glass of whisky
and soda. We had been very candid
with ono another and we're in a fine
glow Of honesty.
"1t's a breach Of confidence, I'm
afraid. " said Cheedls. "And il isn't a
thing you ought to know, because you
nre quito vain enough already. (No
offense, OF course, old man. We're be-
ing frank, you know. Hang it FALL, I'm
vain too). But | tell you this for her
sake"
"Her sake? Whoso?" ] asked.
"All in good time" he replied. az
wouldn't tell you at all, Phil, IL I did
not repose 20 much confidence in your
good taste; for, whatever else you may
be, Phil, you ere still o gentleman.
You know my wife's corsinY"
Little girl With naxcn hair? Rather
"a shade-too conscious of her profile"
Eyes. Ha, hal Miss Marsh" He
slipped solemnly.
"Well?'
sit ia a pity. My wife told me. l
should never have suspected it myself
She's q little bit impressed by you"
Poor girlr" said l.
"Sho isn't a fool either. That makes
1t all the moro extraordinary"
~ don't see that"
my object is to warn you against
playing of that internal trick Of yours.
You know what / meau? That way
you have Of talking 10 a woman as If
she were the only ono of her sex in the
world. Do be careful. old man"
We were silent awhile. l got up,
murmuring again, "Poor grill" and
went home. l had not intended TO be at
the Massies' party On the following
evening, Int, knowing that Miss Marsh
would be there and feeling anxious to
begin tho cruel establishment at once
that it might DO sooner oyer-Id dress
ed and went.
The drawing room was crowded. /
looked about for Miss Marsh and espied
her in a far corner. BY slow stages 1
made my way toward her. She marked
my approach with a wistful face, and
when / was close made room for me.
Poor thingl We shook hands, and I
noted a tender light in her eyes.
"How hot it is in herel" said she.
oh, these hollow commonplace ut
tered calmly in n gale Of passionl
"Yes," said l. II wonder If we could
get out into tho conservatory"
We managed it by dint Of many po-
lite hustlings, strewing mi path with
apologies. Our end attained, we sat
down under a tub palm and looked at
u another.
"How pleasant it is out herel" size
mnrmured.
$50 coolr" Gaid /.
Conversation was certainly difficult.
1.-THE usual rumor concerning you is
olt," said she.
'.Indcedl" l cried. 1t was no time to
be witty.
"They have married you again, Mr..
Wroughtnight."
"Who isthe unlucky lady this timer
ut would not be fair to tell. And
two arc mentioned.
Poor grill
lyon know that m is a lying
jade, Miss Marsh"
"By nature, yes, but sometimes-by
accident-she speaks the truth"
How valiantly ome cover up Their
Bcarsi
"Of course" said /. ''ihere is nj
foundation for tho Tumor."
II bad hoped there was" said sh'
softly.
Brave hearth 1t was a dire business
"Tbere may be some day."I muir
INJURED. ~ mean that ! expect | shall
marry sooner or later.
"Oh, l hope sol' said she; "wheI
you are a little older. Some strong
helpful woman with ideals. Not a poo
little society butterAy-like me-
''If she were like you" said l an'
stopped.
"She won't be-" said Miss Marsl
quickly.
My heart was torn with pity Of her.
lone so seldom marries the persol
one wants to-" said |. breaking tn
truth to her gently.
"And how mush better for Us that Is
isn't it?''
The rejoinder hardly pleased me.
How do you mean, Miss MarshS'
II mean that the object of our frs
love IL so rarely the person to make u
really happy"
remembered that this was her thir
season.
First love is tho only love" said
"Oh, mol" said sho.
"Oh. yesi" ! repeated firmly. II wa
no time for mawkish faltering. M
duty was plain
''Mr. Wroughtnight. " said she, "b'
lievc what l am about to say. You al
900 young yet to know what Is best Il
FOUR own welfare"
Il seemed an odd way TO talk, as
was At least two years her senior, but
reflected that she was diatraught-thI
she was hghfing against her " happ
ness
81 think, said l. II know what