Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-11-19
THERE was no doubt in Dorotby,s

''p oPHio'u VI u hoNl Vi DOOT Ttldl1OIlS
whose proclivities for advice, hereto
fore, were in i'll proportion to the size
of their purse.
And though inwardly rebelIious, the
idea of sacrificing herself on the altar
OF Mammon seemed to her as interest
ing as it was odd. But money could do
anything! All the p~inching little econ
omies that they had been compelled to
practice for years would vanish like
snow under a MONDAY sun, and some
sense of independence be established.
-But there is no getting over the bitter
fact that other thoughts, and, perhaps,
other hopes, had been crushed into the
background.
"All that is past and gone, though"
Dorothy told herself with a. stanch
n Of %propriety, land | mustn't al
low myself to think too much about it"
She passed her hand, a little YEARLY,
through the brown hair that waved
pack from her face, and leaned one ell
bow meditatively on the window sill,
thinking of the future she had laid out
for herself, and living over, in a hun
dred ways, the past.
Then she thought of Harry, and look
ing gloomily for an instant at the dia-
mond that sparkled on her finger, drew
1t on, slowly, and with a sigh laid it on
her lap. No, it had not been an en-
gagement, exactly-but--
There was all the difference in the
world now. Had he not, only the night
before, after all that had passed be-
tween them, entirely ignored her and
carried Adelaide Hunt, a bright, dash
ing brunette, to the SWEETEST hop of the
season, while she remained at homep
That was all. But it was enough. So
that when Col. Eggerton, as usual,
called around, and, as usual, proposed,
she promised, in desperation, a final an
swer on the morrow.
SO that ansWer-of acceptance-was
written and signed with a scrawl, and
laid on the library table to be posted.
In II day everything had been
changed. 1t did not seem possible, yet
as she sat by the low vine-screened win
dow, a soft wind lazily lifting the loose
hair on her forehead, each event rose
up in lurid distinctness before her
mind.
Then a brilliant red famed over the
girls face, and faded off suddenly, as a
tall athletic young man came quickly
up the walk. AS Harry cambridge
stepped on the low veranda, she left her
seat by the window, and gave him her
hand with a friendliness that ill-be-
tokened any inward agitation.
The shining regard that broke over
his face at sight of her, brought the
soft color to her cheeks. She smiled-a
little mpeasily--and drew her hand out
of his.
will you sit out here?" she said. st
is cool, and pleasant"
tie bowed a smiling assent and sank
INTO the empty chair next to hers.
You did not expect me?" he (
queried, studying the girls face critic
ally. She was pretty-very pretty. A
tall, slim girl, with regular features,
and expressive gray eyes.
Il knew you were here, and l came"
he went on. May | tell you why? II
want to ask you--to tell you how much
| love you, and to ask you to marry me.
if you will"
Dorothy flushed and turned away, a
sort of desolation sweeping over her at
his words.
i would rather you would not-not
say such things" she returned, nerv-
ously, moving away from him.
But | must" he continued. half
smiling and trying to look into her face.
1T is my first opportunity to ask you.
did not feel that | had a right to be-
ore. But now, l am in a fair position
ne paused for n moment to glance
her face, nov turned to him. half
frightened, and with an earnestness al
pathetic.
You must not, you must. not, in
she choked back a little dry sob.
1T has all been a mistake-a wretched
nlstake,' she went on brokenly, her
ace pale with suppressed feeling,
She was staring past him, vacantly,
7 the wide green garden, now bril-
with a thousand perfumed bios
oms, while, with hands cold and trem-
ling, she took the ring from her Ian
nd reaching toward him suddenly laid
g%listening thing on his knee.
He looked at her in a dazed sort OF
ray, the happy light dying out of his
ace as his fingers closed mechanically
yer the trinket.
why Dorothy-what's the matter?
Won't you keep itY
A look OF keen disappointment
his features as he looked at her
II would rather not" she returned,
er voice tremulous in spite Of herself.
You see'-twisting the end of her
ash am going to marry some one
Dorothy"
He had risen and was leaning
yainst the banister rail, where he
ould look her directly in. the face, and I
here she, too, could see him. He had |
very pale, and with a deeper
irob of pain than any he had vet y
nown, waited in silence for her to say I
'mething, but she did not, and he went J
i, never taking his eyes from her face. !
Il came nere to ask you to be my !
life, feeling and believing that 8
ould give me the right to think Of and {
We you-always. Was | wrong?" he
'ntinued, his breath coming quick and {
y, after all that has passed between
Ito hope? ]
The girl looked up for an instant, but :
e stern CLEAN that shot from her 7
.'mpanion's eyes caused her to turn !
way. Suddenly the thing that she Lad /
YOmr Face :