Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-08-17

alone together, Mrs. Cheedle being out
of town on a visit to some relatives,
and this was our crucial glass Of whisky
and soda. We had been very candid
with one another and were in a fine
glow Of honesty.
"It's a breach Of confidence, I'm
afraid" said Cheedle. "And it isn't q
thing you ought to know, because you
are quite vain enough already. mo
o%ffense, of course, old man. We're be-
ing frank, you know. Hang it all, I'm
vain too). But I tell you this for her
sake"
"Her sake? Whose?" I asked.
"All in good time," he replied. II
wouldn't tell you at all, Phil, if / did
not repose go much confidence in your
good taste; for, whatever else you may
be, Phil, you are still a gentleman.
You know my wife's cousin?"
"Little girl with haxen hair? Rather
"a shade-too conscious Of her profile"
eyes. Ha, hal Miss Marsh" He
slipped solemnly.
"Well?"
1T is a pity. My wife told me. l
should never have suspected it myself.
She's a little bit impressed by you"
"Poor girll' said I.
"She isn't a fool either. That makes
it all the more extraordinary"
II don't see that"
"My object is to warn you against
playing oft that internal trick Of yours.
You know what I mean? That way
you have Of talking to a woman as If
she were the only one 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, but, knowing that Miss Marsh
would be there and feeling anxious to
begin the cruel establishment at once
that it might be sooner over-Id dress.
ed and went.
The drawing room was crowded. ]
looked about for Miss Marsh and espied
ner in a far r BY slow stages ]
made my way toward her. She marked
my approach with a wistful face, and
when I was close made room for me.
Poor thingl We shook hands, and ]
noted a tender light in her eyes.
"How hot it is in here!" said she.
Oh, these hollow commonplace ut.
tered calmly in a gale Of passionl
eyes," said I. II wonder If we could
get out into the conservatory"
We managed it by dint of many pc.
lite hustlings, strewing u path with
apologies. Our end attained, we sat
down under a tub palm and looked at
one another.
Chow pleasant it is ont herel" she
murmured.
$50 cool |" said I.
Conversation was certainly difficult.
"The usual rumor concerning you IL
out" said she.
"Indeedl" cried. 1t was no time to
be witty.
"They have married you again, Mr..
Wroughtnight."
"Who is the unlucky lady this timer"
"It would not be fair to tell. And
two are mentioned.
Poor grill
"You know that rumor is a lying
jade, Miss Marsh"
"By nature. yes, but sometimes-by
| acoident-she speaks the truth"
How valiantly women cover up theil
scarsl
"Of course" said I, "there is nc
foundation for the rumor."
II had hoped there was" said sht
softly.
Brave hearth It was a dire business,
"There may be some day,"I muir
INJURED. II mean that I expect | shall
marry sooner or later"
"Oh, I hope soy' said she; "wher
you are a little older. Some strong,
helpful woman with ideals. Not a poo
little society butterfly-like me-"
III she were like you," said I ant
stopped.
"She won't be-" said Miss Marsf
quickly.
My heart was torn with pity Of her.
Zone 80 seldom marries the person
one wants to-" said l, breaking tn
truth to her gently.
"And how much better for us that 10
isn't itY"
The rejoinder hardly pleased me.
"How do you mean, Mics Marshr"
II mean that the object Of our frs
love is 60 rarely the person to make q
really happy"
remembered that this was her THU,
season.
"First love is the only love-" said l
ooh, mol" said che.
"Ob, yesr',l repeated firmly. II wa
no time for mawkish faltering. M,
duty was plain.
"Mr. Wroughtnight, " said she, "be
lieve what ! am about to say. You ar
too young yet to know what 10 best 70
your own welfare"
It seemed an odd way to talk, as
was at least two years her senior, but
reflected that she was distraught-ths
she was fighting against her own happi