Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1900-03-16
NOT A BAD DEAL.
BY KILLING.

The little volume OF verses entitled
''To Lalage' made quite a stir in the
literary world. One critic Of note said
that II was instinct with classic grace,
another that II was informed by the
true spirit Of Rellas. q third that it had
a whit Of hymettus, a fourth that 1t
was hardly suitable for family reading,
ard on the strength of all this lauda-
ton "To Lalage" was a success, and
several copies were BOA ide sold TO
complete strangers. Imagine. then, the
bitterness Of heart with which Adrian
Politics, the gifted author, saw himself
compelled to maintain strict anonymity
and to conceal from the world thirsting
to know him that he was the "A. p
whose initials appeared in old English
letters on the title page.
Yet be did not hesitate, for he knew
that If his uncle. bir. Thomas Pottles of
Chapman Common. discovered that he
wrote net only verses-which was bad
but amatory vCrses-which wac afro
cious-his means Of present livelihood
and prospects Of future afluence would
vanish into thin air. For Mr.. Politics
was n man Of strict views. and, wheth-
er regarded this world or the next,
there could be no question that a hank
clerk of evangelical connections com
mitted a grave fault in writing love
poems
so poor Adrian had to make up his
mind 10 remain unknown and to hold
his tongue even when he heard that M
other man had been claiming the au-
thorship Of ITO Lalage." Luckily. per
haps. he failed to find ont who this mis-.
creant was. or probably his indignation
would have overcome his prudence and
he would 1T any cost have claimed his
own
The secret was well kept, and Adrian
received the usual check at Christmas
time. and with it the usual invitation
to spend the festive season with his un-
Gle and TO bring with him his young
friend Peter Allison. to whom old Mr.
Potlcs bad taken a great fancy. Peter
was a mar of many engagements, but
sought after MS he was and proclaimed
himself to be he remembered the good
cheer at Hr. Pottles' and accepted the
invitation They went down together,
Adrian bcwailinS his hard fortune and
denouncin2 the imposter, Peter warmly
sympathizing. but counseling continued
Hilence and prudence.
''Ah. if | could only claim itl' cried
Adrian. opening his Gladstone bag and
gazing foudly at half a dozen neat,
clean copies Of ITO Lalage. II should
be the lion Of the season, Peter.
Peter smiled and shook his head. "a
fortune is better than fame, Adrian.
said hG
For a day or two all went well at
Chaplain The old gentleman was in
the best of tempers, and the two young
men did their best to keep him in it,
indorsirg all his views as to the lax
morality and disgraceful tone which
peryaded modern literature and modern
society. and when they had done their
duty in this way they rewarded them
selves by going in next door and having
tea with Dora Chatterton, n young lady
whom they both thought charming. In
deed Adrian thought her so charming
that, after "A short acquaintance, no
sent her a copy of ITO Lalage"-with
the authors kind regards. Now. Miss
Dora Chatterton adored genius, She
had thought both Adrian and Peter
very pleasant young men; she had per-
ceiyed that they both thought her a
very pleasant young woman. and she
had been rather puzzled to know which
Of them she would, in a certain event.
make up her mind to prefer ITO La
lage" settled the question. II was the
gifted author A. p. who deserved her
love. and a. p. obviously stood, not for
De- Ant. - - AT-g.- MI
The very next morning she called
early at Mr.. Politics. She found him
alone The boys, ho explained, had gone
for a walk Dora was disappointed, but
failing the author himself she was con-
tent to pour her praises into the ears of
an appreciative and proud uncle She
did SO. expressing immense admiration
for Adrian's modesty in not having told
MI. Pottles Of his achievement.
"Humphl" said Mr. Politics. LET
me see these-er-things."
The effect of ITO Lalage" on Mr.
Pottles was surprisiIg and particularly
30 TO Dora. In less than ten minutes she
found herself being shown the door and
Entrusted with a letter 70 her brother
in which Mr. Politics stated that she
had been reading wicked books and
ought, in his opinion. to be sent to her
own room for an indefinite period.
''And shall know il You don't give
it her. said Mr.. Pottles, v~iciously
Thus II happened that Adrian and
Peter. as they were returning, met poor
Dora ON the steps with this horrid note
IN one hand and her pocket handker-
chief in the ctber-for Mrs Chatterton
shared Nh. 2ottles' views. and Dora did
NOT enjoy having TO deliver the note
They were just fastening mp 10 speak
20 her when Mr.. Pottles himself appear
ed on the steps holding out ITO Lalage'