Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1900-10-26

90 him 10 a thousand why's. indeed.
her manne TO him was so much gem
tier that he began TO think she had
guessed his secret-that she pitled him.
Matthew lived only about half a
block from the Joys. and Evelyn was
In the habit Of running 10 and out OF
his house as " II were her own. She
was a very special pct Of Miss Abby.
Matthews pialden sister, who Kept
house Tor him.
Matthew went into his study m
evening about s o'clock and closed the
door. giving st;f.t-ordcrs that he was
not to be disturbed. II was about -
minutes later. Just as he had settled
down Tor his evenings reading. when
hc heard the doorhell ring. thcn quick
footsteps running down tie hall. fol-
lowed by u gentle tap at his door.
He iii not say. Come in but got
up. with some irritation. and opened
the door.
It was Miss Idlewill in evening
dress. with a frothy looklng pink thing
over her head aad shoulders. laughing
and out CT breath.
MAY | come ing" she said dcmurely
Matthew looked at her unsmilingiy.
still holding on to the door.
ABBY Is out" lie said. she has
gone with some ladies' to a lecture"
How lively ror her. said Miss Idle
wild rather quickly. Apparently she
was her old self this evening.
did you come over here with no
wrap but that nlmsy thingT" asked
Matthew. looking his very crosscst.
Yes. grandmother" This was what
she called Matthew when he lectured
her.
lie had hitherto borne such eibos In
pst!cut silence, but tonight It fingered
him.
II object to our addressing me In
that manner" he said with an effort.
81 beg your pardon, Matthew" she
said, locking a i:ttle frightened. 1T
was only In fun"
Then he sald: You will take cold 60
Ing back. | will send for a shawl"
And he rang the bell as he spoke.
I'm going TO take you home now"
he said, land I want you to wear this.
Let me PCT it around you"
II wont have IT. she exclaimed ex-
citedly, tears gathering in her eyes.
Now, Evelyn" said Matthew grave
~, that is childish. II Is n winter
night You have on an indoor dress.
You must put on n wrap. And proba-
bly, Miss Patty and Howard are uneasy
about you. Come. be reasonable"
II viii 20 home" said Miss Idlewild
In a trembling voice. "slnce you are so
anxious to be rid Of me. But | will not
need either you or the shawl"
you viii nevertheless have both on
this OCCASION" said Matthew sternly.
And | viii rot discuss the matter
with you any longer"
So saying, he went up TO her and put
the shawl around her. whether she
would or not. In trying to evade him
she stumbled, and he caught her, shawl
and all, in his arms.
Matthew always said he completely
lost his head at this moment. He for
got hlmsclf-forgot everything but thut
the girl he loved was in his arms at
lastl
"Eve," he said desperately, holding
her close and all his pent up mans
soul breaking its bonds, you know
that love your
Then he released her quickly with an
expression on his face as of one ex-
pecting the heavens TO fall. But in
stead of falling the heavens seemed to
open their golden gates to Matthew,
for Miss Idlewlld, all swathed as she
was like an Egyptian mummy. looked
up at him with wet, laughing eyes.
ut took you a long time to make up
your mind, Matthew" she said plain
tively.-Buffalo News.