Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1902-10-24

young e~locutionist. who il deliehting
Mount Clement audiences this sum
mer."
Dalton walked back to his room like
one IN a dream. And this glorious crea-
turc was Elizabeth Hardin. whom he
had pictured as a gentle. clinging crea-
ture In need OF protection against q
cold aud ~unfeeling world. the sort Of
woman who would ft snugly into his
four rooms above the store at Ladrone.
this girl who was %dellghting fashion
able eastern folks and who could have
her picture cover the whole page OF a
paper! Dalton did not know that Miss
Hardin had paid S25 for that frontis-
piece nor that at this very moment she
was sitting In her room at a cheap
boarding house figuring on the sum
mer's expenses. the cost Of new frocks.
photographs and advertising. She
would not clear IS. aud then what7
Another winter In a New York school
room with fifty east side children.
Half an hour later he found her and
sent up his card, written by a man who
had n stand on the r
Miss Hardin was startled. In a fash
she recalled the name. the Twlggins
school and the correspondence. Would
he have on leather chaps spurs and
a belt full Of revolvers? She entered
the parlor with some trepidation. A
tall. square shouldcred man. well
grOomed and clad in dark blue serge,
rose TO greet her. She almost laughed
at her recent mlsgivings. and the
thought brought a pretty flush to her
cheeks, a new light to her tired eyes.
He never knew just how he managed
It, but that night Dalton escorted her
home from the concert. She wore the
marvellous dress he had seen In the pic
ture. and she gathered It up daintily as
they walked In the moonlight. He felt
as If some explanation Of his presence
were due, and finally he plunged into
it.
you sec. Miss Hardin, | thought
perhaps you'd change your mind about
the school II just could talk to you.
Perhaps you'd like to come out next
summer anyhow. I've always pictured
you so sort OF different. but now Of
course l understand. You wouldn't like
Il out there no matter how much we
might want you"
He was looking down at the chiffon
rufIle on her gown. which blllowed like
white foam around her feet. An odd
smile trcmbled On her lips; something
very like a tear shone In her eye. She
had read his thought as in an open
book.
Perhaps you are mistaken, Mr..
Dalton. | think l would like Colorado.
and If the position is open next sum.
mer ! may come"
They were passing through a small
grove. Dalton stopped short and gazed
into her face.
IF it's open! Why, Miss Hardin, of
course it will always be opcn for you"
Then lie added in n lower voice. But
next summer is n long way off,
Elizabeth sighed softly. and n far
away look came into her eyes as If she
were seeming the keen mountain air
and the Colorado pines.
"Yes, n long. long way
Then Dalton forgot her picture in the
paper-forgOt the imposing frock. He
remembered only the little gray note
signed Faithfully yours. Elizabeth
Hardin"-and the sigh.
What happened next is not herein
set forth, but western men are motto.
rious for netting promptly.
This summer another elOcutionist dc.
lighted the visitors at Mount Clement,
and her picture adorned the first page
Of the Mount Clement Educator, but In
Frank Dalton's Colorado home a new
cushion has replaced the II of moth
eaten velvet in the Morris chair.
there's n drawnwork cover instead OF
dust on the center table. and a stair.
way has been built from the inside of
the store.