Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1902-07-18
Nor PROVED
By Louie D. Mitchell
Copvni0ht noe,
~ nc & S. Mcclure 6bmpdng.

Ihr. Dunn. sue mas como 70 hpehu u
month or two with me. l ought TO
warn you that she 10 a most incorrigi-
bic flrt, so that you
why. Molly Ware!' her sister ex-
claimed in a horriBod tone, while tho
doctor laughed. what nre you say
lingT'
Just what Is true" Mrs. Ware said
dennntly. "He might just as well know
It now, at the beginning Of the &C.
uuaintance, as TO be stunned by the
fact later on. At all events, my con
science will be clear for having done
my duty at the start"
'By the way you talk. Molly, ono
would think that I made a practice Of
going about seeking whom | could de
YOUR" said Miss Dilman resentfully.
tits very unsisterly OF you to betray
one OF my blood bought accomplish.
ments to DR.. Mum. It's downright
brutal"
Then you plead guilty to the charge
Mrs. Ware has nader" said the doctor,
watching her admiringly.
"Neverl And | warn you that my
case will be dled away among those
not proved"
81 don't know about that. I shall
work hard gathering evidence"
81 defy you"
"And III convict you" he retorted.
laughing. Mrs. Ware and he had been
sitting in n shady corner Of the piazza.
she In her invalid chair and he oppO.
site, when Bah strolled out and Joined
them, a vision Of blond loneliness 10
violet.
AS his carriage drove up TO the gate
for the third time be arose to take
leave reluctantly-reluctantly because
the sunlight Of the girls beauty had
got into bis eyes aud dazzled him. She
sauntered to the edge Of the piazza.
tits no more than fair to warn you
that as q detective ] shall watch you
closely" he said. smiling up at her.
"As a detective onlyi" she said. With
an arch laugh.
There are untold possibilities In the
duties Of a detective" be said, raising
his hat. "I shall exhaust those first"
When be had gone. she resumed her
low chair beside her sister. MOLLY"
she said r~eproachfully, you are a
very mean girl. Now he'll expect me
TO hirt with him. and I'll have to do It."
what OF thatT"
Didn't you know that l had come
down here to reformT'
Heavens, nor'
"Your surprise is disheartening."
at fnkanH n fn hn 4 hovn ooN NV
heart upon a match between you and
the doctor. He's very wealthy and has
n fine practice besides. 1t would be an
excellent thing for you. Bah. dear, and
would please Aunt Nell so much. She
has done a great deal for US both. you
know"
The girls face darkened with pain.
81 spent such a horrible winter" she
said In a low volce-'one refusal after
another. oh. Molly" in passionate
protest, "if only / had some money Of
my W and could marry for love, how
sweet II would ber
Mrs. Wares eyes filed with tears.
.'T couldn't" she said gently; then add.
ed comfortngly, but l was not unbap-
py in my marriage. John was a very
kind husband. and i have missed him
sOrely since his death. Your beauty
ought to be some sort OF compensation
to you, dear. l was fairly staggered
by it. Aunt Nell has done wonders for
you"
Eyes, Aunt Nell and her tailor"
"Well. anyway you will do your best
to captivate my doctor, won't your"
"0h. he's IKE all the rest-diplomatlc,
absolutely in good form, culhvating
only those In high places. with one eye
on the god Aammon, the typical ply
sician in ordinary to swelldom. A
beautiful. tactful. we'll gowned wife
would be Of assistance to him. Would
she be anything more2 Has he any
heart under that well groomed, well
tailored exterior?"
Barbara, we might just as well look
upon this question disp~assionately. for
we both know how necessary II Is for
you to marry, and marry we'll"
Barbara went to the end Of the piazza
and stood looking out at the bills for q
moment She returned. smiling.
snow I'll be good" she said softly.
-and I'll do my best TO captivate your
stupid old doctor. You mustn't mind
my calling him that. dear. for be Is stu.
pid. But, oh. Molly. II ever l meet
Love face TO face. what explanation
will be demand?"
Mrs. Ware could not reply. She star,
ed into space with so melancholy az
expression that Barbara laughed by
iWay OF dlyertinR her.
Her sister looked up alarmed by th'
misehievous lght. in her eyes. Bar
bara," she said entreatingly. ~ h'
falls 10 love with you. you will no
throw him over. will you, darlingG II,
might 90 OF and shoot himself. and q
Aunt Nell should hear of-of-his dealt
and lay It 20 your dolngs"-
"She'd never hear Of Il We" dark
H"-"wed bury him out In the potato
patch and never dlyuige the awful SO
eTet But really. my dear, you do 90
Know doctors They never kill them
selves II they are disappointed IN love
They always take II out on their char
ny patients"
- Mrs. Ware sighed patiently. Il dom