Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-11-17

'If I didn't look as II I were trying 70
gain some benefit from your umbrella"
he remarked as be CHANGED to meet Der
on the church steps after the service,
IL would ask TO walk home with you.
I didn't expect rain when l left home,
30 / am unprepared."
"However." came her clear reply,
Just arch enough to be frank, IF you'll
cnrry my umbrella and let me turn
my energies to keeping my dress
cnught up out OF the mud, I'll be very
thankful to you"
They had walked. strangely enough.
half way home In most complete 81
Ience when n man and n woman
passed, like them. under IN umbrella,
but. unlike them, the woman was held
snugly close to the mans side as she
chung to his arm. 1t was a pretty
picture Of that open freedom which so
%undeniably marks n c%ongenial man and
wife, whose companionship has rip
ened into frank trust.
As they passed. Robert Cartwright
said, half thoughtlessly, perhaps:
'srhey are sensible. If two are trying
70 use one umbrella. they are surely to
be commended If they strive to take
up as little room as possible. Even If
II be noon. won't you take my armr'
"But they are plainly not such-such
strangers as we" she returned, con-
Bcious that both were treading on dan
gerols ground.
"Are we strangersT' he asked quick.
~, turning his Eyes searchingly to her.
The pretty face grew n triHe pale
against its light brown hair. A lump
seemed to climb to her throat, but she
returned bravely. "Yes-that Is, wei
always be strangers compared with
them"
He stopped for an instant and gazed
1Iedly al her TIL n hot flush flew up
from her collar and swept under the
velvet strings Of her dainty brown
bonnet.
"AlwaysY' be nsked simply.
Eyes. Why. can't you see that they
are mafriedT'
She tried to laugh II away, but 1t
would have been difficult to tell which
pair of lips quivered the more or
which pair of eyes swan In the deeper
mist as the two started on, both silent,
both sad, both realizing that a little
tragedy had occurred in that brief In
slant under that dripping umbrella.
Eight years went by and found Ca
brielle Vaughne alone in the world,
with necessity for keeping up a life
In which all interest and all energy
were dead. She had Mt last arisen from
a tedious Illness, and the nurse her
self hardly recognized the tall, pale,
sad fnced woman with the short, dark
curls, as the bright eyed, light haired
girl Of six months before.
Gabrielle had one thing dear to her,
and only one, and that was q memory,
And some OF our dearest memories are
the cruelest parts Of our lives. When
finally she stood before a mirror and
realized that that changed creature was
herself, n mighty resolve filled her
she would go to the source Of thai
memory.
She knew where he was; she knew
that he had married three years after
that bitter morning In the rain and had
married a wealthy wife. That was
the reason that she had thrust hin
back from her long ago, just because
OF his poverty. Not that II would pair
her, a thousand times mol Hadn't she
CRIED out night after night since tina
starvation with him would be only
bliss?
But she had known his ambitions
and his capabilities; knew his dreams
OF success, and she realized his ability
TO turn the dreams to realities She wa
poor. Would she permit herself Il
hang a milestone about his neck
Would she hold him always In thu
depths OF poverty by being his wifi
and the mother OF his needy children
No; she would hurt his heart before
she would ruin his life.
Time had proved that she had beer
right. His wife was a beautiful woman
and her wealth had opened bOundles!
opportunities to him. He had risen
she had known that he would. Blu
now that she scarcely was able Il
know herself she would venture int
his world aud see for herself how
happy aud prosperous he was.
So. having spent all but her las
Sovereign for her ticket. she stepped
into Langinham one spring evening
steeling her heart 10 what might tOl
low. The next evening she had walk
ed past his great house aud was start
ing back when a sudden shower burs
Unexpectedly upon her. She gathere,
up her skirts in that particular way 81
characteristic OF a dainty woman an,
was hurrying along when all at one
she was conscious Of n sharp. chlldisl
cry nt her side. Turning. she behel'
a tall. sad faced man trying to qule
a fretfui baby Of about ? years. whicl
held out It's dimpied hands to her an'
cried. Mamma. mammal
The gentleman stroye to quiet II
and Gabrielle started on. But sharI
and piercing came the cry Of Nam