Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-09-05
A STOLEN KISS.

o~t ~N~ ~ ~
painful to me-"
"My dear %guardy," said the young
lady he addressed, a very pretty girl
about 18, "what have I done? Just
mention some of my sins and I will try
to reform"
"Well," said Sir Henry, "to begin
with, you are much too fond of using
slang expressions; I am sure you do not
mean any harm, dear, but it does not
sound we'll. I wish you would adopt a
more ladylike manner, like those nice,
quiet girls, Colonel Bonds daughters.
l assure you, Leslie, men do not care
for fast girls. however much they may
firt with them, and l confess I should
like to see you we'll married"
CHOW, my dear Sir Henry, " said Les
lie coaxingly, "tell me, did you ever
hear me say anything the least weeny
bit improper?"
Certainly not, my dear child"
"Then let me tell you those nice,
quiet, ladylike girls you admire so
much say things that would make your
hair stand on end. If you could only
hear how they go on when we are by
ourselves! I should be quite ashamed, "
she added, with energy, ''even to think
Of the things they discuss freely-in-
deed I cut them whenever I can. AS for
marrying-really, all the young men I
know are such muffs or prigs I detest
the whole lot. What is my next crime?"
"You smoke cigarettes Leslie, said
her guardian sternly. ~ was told you
were actually seen with one between
your lips out of doors the other night"
Leslie hung down her head a little,
and then said, with a slight blush:
~ cannot deny I tried one once, and
indeed it was SO nasty and made me
feel SO i'll that I assure you l am not
likely to do it again."
81 am glad to hear it. So you think
all young men mutfs or prigs? l hope
to introduce you to one who nswer
neither description. You have of course
heard Of Captain Murray"
"Do you mean the Captain Murray
who gained the Victoria cross for de.
Tending that fort so CALAMITY in the
last campaign? OF course I remember
all about him. Why!"
"He is coming home, and being the
son of an old friend he has promised to
pay me a visit, and I expect him
shortly"
"How delightful! I shall like to
meet a real hero. I hope be is hand
some." y
douglas Murray was a very good
looking lad, but you will not suit him,
young lady. He abhors fast girls and
is very fastidious."
"Well, / shall survive his disappro.
baton, I dare say. Amy will suit him
to a T, she is such a mure little
mouse" And Miss Linds took her.
self off.
In due time Captain Murray arrived.
Leslie Lindsay was disappointed. She
could hardly believe that quiet, unas-
Stunning young man could be the hero
who had startled the whole civilized
world into admiration. To her guard
ian's great annoyance she seemed to
make a point of showing herself in her
worst colors, and when Sir Henry asked
her whether she thought Captain Muir
ray a prig OF a muff she declared he
was both.
One very hot day in July Leslie and
Sir Henry's daughter, Amy Seymour,
were returning from making a call.
The drawing room windows opened on
the veranda, which was covered with
luxuriant oreepers. 1t looked very cool
and pleasant inside on such a sultry
day. The two girls were about to enter
the room when Leslie, who was in ad-
vance, suddenly drew back and pointed
inside. Amy peeped in. There was Cap
tain Murray fast asleep in an armchair
Q "a the window.
What a chance, Amy, for me to
win a pair Of glovesl"
"For shame, Lesliel You surely
would not think Of such a thing"
"Who's afraid?' said Leslie. "Be-
sides, he is really fast asleep and will
never know, and the temptation is too
much for me. Consider, the hero the
whole world raves about, :" and with a
mischievous look at Amy she stepped
lightly in and dropped Il kiss as light
as a puff Of thistledown upon the sleep.
er's forehead.
As the sound Of the girls retreating
footsteps died away, Douglas Murray
opened his eyes and, smiling to himself,
said:
II suppose that is considered a fast
girl. I must confess I like her, and be.
lieve she is really true and womanly.
That fast manner ia all humbug. I must
not forget to pay my debt, however,"
aud he laughed. "She thinks me a
muff, / know. Never mind, that kiss
was very nice-I forgive her"
A day or two afterward as they were
all at breakfast, Sir Henry said:
II forgot, Leslie, here is something
for you," handing her a small packet,
marked Parcel Post"
"What Gan it be, ] wonderi" she
said, as she ont the string, "the hand
writing is quite strange to me-, and
che was about to open it quite unoon-
cernedly, when Amy remarked:
1T is just the shape Of a glove box"
Leslie started and looked guiltily
across the table at Captain Murray.