Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-06-26
EFFIE'S MARRIAGE.

bridegroom, mammal" asked Efie Pal
grave one day, much as if she had con-
sented to the engagement all along.
"Whenever you like, dear"
IT hope he won't expect me to be senti-
mentall I suppose not, though. An old
fogy like him will be too rheumatic to
trouble me with demonstrative Affection
"He is only As, my dear child"
every likely, but he Is a stiff as poker,
and when he dances he lifts one off ones
feet and shakes the ROOM"
married men don't often trouble them
selves to dance with their wives, Etfie;
therefore you can Danish that grief from
you at all events"
The ceremony was over-tender youth
tied to middle age for life. For better, for
worse, Etie had swallowed that much
gilded pill.
Even to think of Laurence Leicester
was now q sin, she told herself. Yet she
met him everywhere, her eyes would
stray to the door until he entered, and she
allowed him to talk to her and put on her
wraps as he had been won't to do.
Had he and she not been SO basely han
died she would have behaved differently,
she also told herself, for her husband, she
was forced to own, was q good man.
Too late she had learned that Laurence's
coming marriage to Miss Faisey had been
| c%ontradicted. She had been duped into a
hateful union, and it gave her almost a
right to permit her old lover to hover
around her.
All, almost-not quite-the right. MOI
a great deal of difference in the phrase,
yet enough to torment her conscience at
moments, such as when her husband took
the wrap from Laurence's hands with
1rmness and d~ignity-by the way, how
dignifled he could look at times, consider
ing that he could not dance-or when he
framed her small face in his hands and
turned 1t toward him, looking at at it
with a patient mournfulness which hurt
her more than if he had struck her.
It was not long after this that Laurence
Leicester went home from his club with q
white face and a dizzy brain. He had been
| playing higher even than usual, fortune
! had made a dead set against him, n he
was a disgraced man unless he could have
| the command of several thousands. He
reviewed his position, but knew that he
| could not lay his hands on a. many hun
dreds.
Yes, there was one way, but
The blood mounted to his brain as he
took a scented, prettily tinted letter from
his desk in Effie's beloved handwriting.
| Hitherto he had never held it without
putting it to his lips, but now he could
| only hold it stif1y while he struggled for
power to act q chivalrous mans part and
destroy 1t.
Twice he put it away, a third time he
took 1t out again, thrust it into his pocket,
rushed out and made his way to Grosvenor
square.
What were a few thousands to herr Her
millionaire husband was SO lavish he
! would never know for what purpose they
had been used.
Naturally, he would not threaten her
in fact, he would not, except as a last re-
source, show her the letter. She was so
good that she loved his fair name better
chan he did.
"Let me see whether I take in your
meaning, Laurence. I I'M to rob my hus-
band in order to-
"Efie! What a world He gives you
untold thousands to do what you like
with"
"In fact, l might construe your words
into a threat. If I like, / may buy back
my letter-that is, If l fear my husbands
anger should you feel disposed to show 1t
to himP"
"F6r heavens sake don't look like that,
Effe," he Dried, "and forget all I have
said. I am a our. There, see" and he
tore the letter into fragments. II am a
disgraced man, and desperation led me to
this dastardly conduct"
Effe staid his hand as he was about to
throw away the pieces; then she composed
~ gathered them up In her handkerchief.
"Ef1e, /" he repeated In unfeigned anguish,
forgive me and forget this wretched bust.
ness. Let me fling away those bits Of pa
per-" Forgive him Yes, perhaps In time
she could do that, but forget it-never.
and she loved this man-loved him instead
Of the husband who was waiting for the
day when her heart would cease to go
astray and turn toward its rightful place.
Laurence, don't press me for an an
swer tonight. Come tomorrow morning."
"But I want no answer, " he said vehe.
mently. II tell you my madness IA over,
and / humbly beg your pardon. OF course
! I'll come tomorrow just to see you, If you
don't hate the sight Of me, that Is"
He rave her a long look as he left her.
She was so still, and II she said goodby
the words were inaudible. And there she
remained, half stunned, yet mechanically
thinking.
ut WA best so. will never see him
again, but I might have broken down II !
had attempted the final farewell. He shall
not be disgraced, but the assistance shall
come through my husband. He will help
him. l know, and he is 60 good and 80