The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-12-30

MAtu NHt tAHlt AllAD lHt uiAM-
y ing-room. There was faint,
unusual flush on her ord.nari-
~ pearly-fair cheek, and her eyes
looked large and restless. She had
evidently dressed hurrledly. The laces
on her bosom looked as though hastily
adjusted. and the flowers at her belt
were pinned awry. Il am late,' she
apologlzed. She had come up the room
TO her husband, and lifted her lips for
his customary evening salute. Il am
sorry to have kept dinner waiting. 1t
IS unpardonab.e 1t shall not occur
again.
lie murmured a few deprecating
words, and they went into dinner to-
gether. All during dinner in the rich,
old. dark -panelled room. where the
golden sunset light poured In through
softening draperies Of thin crimson
silk, she was very gay, very entertain
Ing. She always was viyacious, es-
pecially when she had anything to con-
ceal under a tide OF clever talk or a
sparkling shower Of wit And David
Farnham was a good llstener-an ex-
cellent listener
When one Of his few friends. hand
some, reckless. improvident Ross Len
ard. had ended his iit Of remorse over
disastrous mining speculailons by put-
ting a bullet In his brain. letter found
near him asked that David Farnham
would look after the little girl
Farnham had accepted the trust with
the quiet consciousness natural to him
Ia matters great or unlmportant lie
had sent the girl TO the hest schools.
He had arranged that her vacations
should be safely and pleasurably
spent lie had acted precisely as
though she were q blood relative, legal
" entitled TO MS protection and as
sistance. But when she came 20 him
from SCHOOL. quite bewitcliugly fair
ha6 accomplished young woman, he
was temporarily dlsmayed. Whatever
was he 10 do with such charming
encumbranceg For a year she lived
with a widowed sister Of his. All hey
mothers people were across the ocean.
snd being strangers 10 her she re-
fused to 20 10 them. Farnham went
punctually at stated periods to see his
ward. and was 10 every way solicitous
Tor her comfort But daily the realiza-
ton grew OF him that she was not as
Wiq and carefully guarded as she
should be. In his perplcxity be asked
aer 10 marry him. Now. months after
their marriage. strange emotions
thrilled him when he recalled the
manner Of her reply. She had turned
her head away for a moment Then
she had looked up az him, her face
aaming scarlet. Her eyes met his full
and steadily.
"Yes-.f yoE are sure you want me
--yes.' she sa.d.
Life bac raca a good deal like a
fairy story 20 him since then. Fe
was lord Of a palace. and the beauti-
ful princess was his-only his. In
an his uneventful hard-working life
be had never imagined what il might
be to live in paradise; that its gates
should ever swing wide for him had
not entered into his imaginings.
1T was a delightful drama she
went on. apropos Of the matinee of the
afternoon. 1T IS likely TO have q lone
run Almost every one who is left In
town was there
Il passed the theatre as the crowd
was coming out" he said. Il had al
imperative business engagement. So
could not cross over: but think | saw
you as you left. Pm almost sure II
was you. but you know how near-sight
ed am. You wore white. did you
not-a white coat and hats'
yes" she said In breathless sort
Of way. She laid down her roll and
looked over at him. yes
He slipped slowly, almost retrospeC
lively. Il thought could not be mis-
taken. was sorry ! had not time tC
make sure-to meet you. Besides yot
were not alcne. You had the carriage
And-thero was some one with yot
coming out, was there notf A tai
man. You were not alone. I was moi
positive. but it looked like Andrews
Was It Andrews"
Her fork fell on her salad plate will
a little unkling clatter. "You-yo'
are not SO near-slghted. after air. sh'
laughed.
"rhen It was Andrews
"Yes." she answered. That suddei
rose color again stained her cheek. He
bright, eager gaze never left bis face
'It-it was Colonel Andrews.
Then she was Off In the sparkling
narration Of the chief comedy scene il
the play. telling il with delicious hu
NOR, inimitable mimicry. and scintil
liant flashes Of original comment. Ant
all was made mesmeric by the gleam
ing laughter Of purple-blue eyes, th
little airy gestures Of white, perfec
hands.
And David Farnham, eating hi
fruit and cracking his walnuts, list
ened and looked. his slow. sweet smil
deepening around his firm lips.
And she was his-his. David Farm
ham's-his wifc this exquisite gir
with the snowdrifts Of her stainles
life behind. and the wild rose gardel
Of ler beautiful life before. He pu
his band to his throat at the thought