Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1902-01-31

q
The visitor grew a little uneasy.
Il don't understand you" she said
simply.
Il wish you hadn't come In. that's
ALL" said Jack.
IF I had known began Miss Mel
thorpe. But / came to See
exit"
EYES," assented she. surprised at
Jacks boisterous interruption.
"Kit. fortunate Kit"
"And he promised to meet
"But you'll forgive him. He left me
here and. after making me promise to
ring from you an assurance OF for
~glveness. told me to be sure and not
let you 20 until he came back"
"But I want to tell you said Miss
Nelthorpe. with q roguish laugh.
"No, no. I won't listen" said Jack
resplutely. You're going to slang Kit.
You're going to blame him. scold him.
Now you must forgive him. He's such
q splendid chap. and-and II was I who
made him go out"
I'm glad" said she and laughed.
"Glad? Then you didn't want to
meet him and make II OPP
"No. It's not exactly that"
"After all 1t was only a lovers quar-
rel. a slight brush. and all about a hat.
a paltry toque. You see. KIT has told
me everything. Now you're sorry, real
ly sorry. Kit is out, aren't your
mo" began she In a petulant tone.
"Now." said Jack In CHEEKY tones, 81
see you relenting. The hard little heart
Is melting"
She laughed outright. every well.
then" she admitted. her face wreathed
in smiles. II am sorry"
Capital" said Jack. Hes such an
awfully decent chap-Kit. You'll be
80 happy, and | shall be SC miserable!'
Miss Nelthorpe strOked her mum. AS
she raised her eyes she saw on a chair
heal by the dance programme.
why" she said. that's the pro-
gramme or
"Yes." interrupted Jack hastily.
Fancy your keeping It."
1.-THE pencil. you know" replied he
"such n jolly handy thing to have"
Eyes" responded Miss Nelthorpe feel
lngly, especially when 1t hasn't a
point"
Jack blushed. by Jove," he said in
desperation, what a splendid chap Kit
IsT'
Eyes; you told me-"
IT suppose you're simply devoted to
him"
"Humphl Yes IL like him.
Like hlm?' repeated Jack. my dear
Miss Nelthorpe. you love him; you
know you do"
Likes him." he said to himself. "She
only likes him."
The girl gave the case due considera-
ton. "Wen," she snld. perhaps you
are right, Mr.. Cardrew. l do love
him"
Jacks face fell. Loves him" ht
said to himself. 1--WE overpersuadeC
her. I'm forcing her into a l~oveless
distasteful marriage. and l simply VOL
ship her"
when | say ! like him-love him.
explained Miss Nelthorpe. taking
Jacks dismal expression as an indie:
of his true feelings. ''of course l meal
In a friendly way, a brotherly way"
%"Friendly" said Jack. ("AngelP' b
thOught.) "BrOtherly!" said JACK
C"Iovely creatureW he thOught.)
poor old Klt!' he calculated in hi
most ~buoyant tone. C'She doesn't car
a snnp for him. She has thrown hin
up. She's in love with me, while
have promised
Poor old Kltr echoed Miss Ne
thorpe. "If only
III only" repeated Jack, comm
closer and touching her glOved hand.
"oh." she said, you mustn't d
that"
mo"
~ c you Oughtn't to"
"No."
Silence for exactly thirty seconds.
after ALL" said Jack. with a gallan
attempt at gayety. you can't do bette
than stick to Kit. Make a better hul
band than r.
"Why. what do you meanT
Handsome chap. well made. II
loose jolnted. plain. Kits amiabilit
itself. I'm never civil before u an
always grumpy when the sur goe
In. Kits bright. laxative. witty, con
panionable. I'm silent. unsociable an
dull"
"And your liversT' inquired Mis-
Nelthorpe.
81 don't believe Kit has one. while
Il believe I've got two. Now you Sc
what a treasure you've got in Kit.
And Jack picked the programme u
and nursed It tenderly.
She watched him closely.
80 you'll forget his little unreasoI
ableness. won't youT"
"On n condition." she said.
"And thatT'
"That you will put that programm
In the FIRE"
Jack eyed It longingly.
"If I marry Kit" said the girl, wit
a little laugh. ut would be as well nj
10 cherish old memories"
at will be only a memory. Won
you let me keep itY' he asked plalI
lively.
Better not" she said.
1.-THE remembrance OF the happieI
quarter OF an hour In all my life
1. aaNa-- uwtsr. -.V-.H