Arizona republican., 1901-02-25

laugh as they strut their brief s2an to the grave"
 Jack. this is rank heresy, blas- phemy," sae cried, horrified. Why do you torture me so? Such frlvolrty is unseemly.'
 But it is not frvolity l tell you It is true as-as you are, little mystery. What is life but a parelthesis. with one plrenthetical mark the cradle and the other the grave? )Ihis world Is a great museum. and we are its freaks, dWurfs. giants, cranks and angels. I'll admit you belong to the latter class, my d1ar."
 He took her hand, but she drew it away and looked at him in sorrowful indignation.
 'l shall net listen 10 such talk. thought l knew all your moods, but you are either shammlns now-some- thing decidedly unpleasant to mts--or You have deceived me all along. Which it's it?"
 "Ne1;her litte enigma I'm just test ing you. l wanted tp see you and ob- serve you from all sides before taking tae fatal step. you know. You are delic- i0us in this mood You are glorious in the frame Cf indignation. l think I'll have ts' try you again."
 She was not pleased.
 cant you forgive me, dear?"
 T can forgive anything but bas- phemy, Jack, but l don like leyity about the serious affair3 of lfe."
 But l repeat If is not serious. It is a joke. d huge monstrous, laugh able joke. Or. let us say a conundrum which will not be solved till the crack of doom. We are foolish to take it ser iously, Let's enjoy it while we may fo.' tomorrow We die
 He' threw his arms around her and drew her close
 She resisted, struggled, freed herself, lc Hed at him indignantly, sorrowiuily for a moment, and then fled like a frightened deer to the cave.
 He was filled with remorse in a mo- ment. He took step after her and stopped. What a magnificent creature she wa9i How proudly she held her self, His eyes gloated. and he was filled with the joy of p)ssessf-'l. He stood thus until shc Eud disappeared
 
 His reVeris vas interrupted by ap- preaching footsteps. Looking up h. saw venerable old man coming toward him. his head bent in dSep study. He wore a crown of long. sllvery white hair.
 He was stranger to Jim. bue he in- s,netively felt it to be Mr. Graham. He had heard much of him from his cow boy friends. He was a puzzle to them. They could mt understand how a man could take lie SO seriously. He never laughed at their rude jokes. though ne lerated them and did not ohide When they told rough stories. warty with uncanny pleasantries, he walked away. He practiced the good they knew from hearsay He was the Hest man they knew and they revered him or jeered. To the more thoughtful he was saintly, to the reckless he was crazy.
 Mir. Graham looked up and saw Jim.
 How do you do, Jack? I'm very glad to see you again. lad. I thought you had fOTsaken us. Your trip to the coast has changed you slightly, but not so much but what we can recognize you.''
 Jim breathed a sigh of relief. His Identity was unknown.
 Tt would be impossible tC forsake you. sir, considering the attractions here"
 True lad true. You are marrying model woman. Jack, even if do say it. She is as pure and sweor as an angel. You will take good care of her, lad?"
 How uoalI l GD otherwise, sir, low ing her as ,do?'
 She is poor. She will bring you no CoNLy but her own sweet self. But si.c .5 well versed in all the duties of 9.Jusckr ping. and is not afraid of work, She is enough in herself to en- rich any man. She will halve your sp.rows and burdens, and increase your joys"
 You are right again. sir. I never saw a more adorable nature
 "Whcn are you to be married, Jack?"
 ''Why-why-I hardly know. sir"
 At your convenience. lad. 1t think. though. will leave her with her mcther until you are ready. It will be better for her there, and her mother can as- s.st and advise about the necessary ap- parel Will tklts be agreeable to you, lad?"
 Perfectly sir He was charmed with the old gentleman.
 At this moment Nahatha came to the door and called. Her eyes were red, but she smiled on both.
 They seated themselves around the frugal board, and Mir. Graham rever- ently bes-ught a blessing. As soon as he had finished Vahatha said:
 Father. l want you to scold Jack just wee bit. He has been bad--a lit tle"
 What has he been doing, dear?"
 Talking friv0lously. He don't mean what he says. of course, but l want him punished just the same"
 Shall I take him across my knee?"
 No, indeed, that wJuldn't hurt. Just give him one of your good, searching little lectures that probe the soul"
 she has been naughty, herself" said Jim, tantaliziNgly. she talked So