Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-05-05
LADY MACBETH.

When Reggie Ridpath found himself
lying perhaps 90 feet below tho moan
tain road he had been ascending, his
horse kicking aud p~lunging dangerous
~ near him, his buggy like a huge bird
OF evil omen hanging in the branches OF
n tree above him, he was inclined to
think that his evil star was in the as
cendant. This impression deepersd.
From tho darkness that fioated nearer
and nearer until it finally submerged
him ho awoko to lnd himself surround
cd by physicians and his broken leg,
which they pronounced a very serious
fracture, done in plaster.
lie surveyed 1t ruefully rs the days
went by. The star mounted higher. Ills
mothers house PARTY, the event of the
season, was at hand. There would DO
fishing parties, mountain parties, pic
MICS, dances. He ground his teeth at the
thought. Ii was his only relief. he lay
there haudased, ehorn Of his strength,
and watched tho star rs it reached the
zenith. Suddenly it dropped down the
horizon, and the room was flooded with
a rosy hue. She stood in the doorway
"a tall, distinguished girl, wearing a
travelling gown and hat u the most Cp-
proved fashion. He bad heard Of her tri-
umphs abroad, lie knew she had turned
the hearts and heads Of Now York, thGt
owing to O distant kin.hip Lis rotter
had secured her fer this house party,
that mcn ravsd over her, although they
said she bad no soluble knew all this,
and yet sLe came to his bedside and
greeted hin in q pretty friendly fashion
and called him Reggie. After that day
there was always a look Of hyight ex-
pectarcy on tho boyish face az be watch
ed tho door for her coming.
The weeks were deep into juno. Mrs.
Ridpath's house party was to close with
q fancy dress ball. The fashionables for
miles around were invited. Many and
frequent were tho discussions as to what
should and should not be worn. Reggie
hoped to be present, bat on tho after
noon Of the dance. six weeks after his
accident, he was forced to give it up.
81 knew l wouldn't be able to dance
with you, Elizabeth, Int l wanted to
see the great throng move up the stair
way aud watch you receive mothers
guests" DO said as size set talking tc
him. "Oh, l am SO tired of it'll | have
been chained here a thousand years."
at won't he much longer, " she said
soothingly.
"Well, / want to dance with LACY
Macbeth, " p%etulently. How did you
happen to choose her, Elizabeth? My
but you will be gloriousP'
There was no mistaking the admira
tion in his eyes.
Elizabeth bad o genuine fondress fo
the lad. She looked at him with he
great soft eyes.
ITS a long story, Reg, II l havl
never told any one" she answered
with a istls smile, half sad, half Inerry
"Then tell me, " he pleaded.
"Onoe," che began. and there was
purpose in her kindness TO him, IS
long ago that ii seems like a dream,
lived so quietly that l had never in IN.
widest dreams imagined anything lik
this ball wo arc to have tonight. / ha
never had a party gown or been to
dance in my life. The birds and all tn
free wild things were my companions
One day q young man was brought int
our little home with a fracture some
thing like yours. Forgive me, dear, bu
for that reason l was interested in yO
from the first. l nursed him back I
health. | had never seen any one lk
him before. In the summer my DO
cousins sometimes spent ? month or tw
with Us, and / knew the village mel
but no was different'-the girl's eye
rested on tho lilies that cleaned in Ill
garden below. 81 have never forgotte
that summer, Reg, she said simpl!
and because of it men call me hoartle.
and cold"
The boy tried to speak. Somehow II
voice sounded very queer. But the gi
was talking again.
"You ask me why l chose Lady Ma
beth. One day a play was given in Il
village real our home. 1t was hardly
play, either. but Shakespeare WON'T
were given. You need not smile so ii
credulously. We had been we'll trainel
l contriyed a dress like the one l Ii
tend to wear tonight. My friend WI
able to go with US. Ifelt u little frigh
ened as / locked over the sea of face
Then just below me on the 'front.' seat
saw uAm- ALSho Muo . Alttio nhiiAp up
HE face. He had seen a good maj
Lady Maobetns, you know. When l hI
finished, there was silence for a m
ment, then a storm of applause shoe
the house. / could not doubt my SD
cess. and after il was over he came
me. He did not say much, but | kne
had done we'll"
She looked down into Reggie's pa
faos and answered the question in b
Eyes.
no my dear We were not engage
sas 6osl1tinef eyes SOY what lips Ga