Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-11-03

DEFEATED

Copyright. lO05, BY R. B. Mcclure

n
you are forever talking about him."
she exclaimed rcsentfuily.
Aunt Clara. the long suffering, look
ed %appealingly at her pretty niece.
"But. Martha, Mrs. Barry makes such
a point OF your meeting him" she pro-
tested plairffvely.
"And l make a point Of not meeting
him." interpolated her rebellious niece.
But, Martha. he is
"Oh, l know them ALL" interrupted
Martha - unmarried, well born, good
looking, rich, famous" she repeated
glibly, checking of the words on the
tips OF her pretty fingers.
"He stail that and more" replied
Aunt Clara warmly, 'and why you
should assume this unreasonable attl-
tude Is more than / can understand"
Her niece eyed her resentfully. Il
don't see why l should be expected to
put myself forward for this paragon's
approval" she objected.
Aunt Clara's voice trembled with
righteous Indignation. Martha Jor-
dan, you talk like an idiotr' she said.
Then why DO you always throw me
at himT' demanded Martha.
NO one Is trying TO throw you ut
hirl" continued her aunt with unex-
pected energy. "He probably wouldn't
take you II they did"
Indeed he wouldn't" murmured her
niece feellngly.
MRS. Barry has asked us to dine
and incidentally to meet her nephew.
] have had to make excuses for you
twice before, Martha. You will go this
timer" she pleaded %anxiously.
Not l." responded Martha. II shall
not infiict my unworthy presence upon
the Hon. John Clark Chamberlin."
81 cannot understand this violent an
tagonism you seem to have developed"
demonstrated Aunt Clara, relapsing in
TO her usual state Of plaintive protest
"And what reason can / giveT'
"Say l am out Of town. 1 will go
on up to Stockbridge. 1t viii be only
two days earlier than we were going
anyhow"
you would be alone" expostulatod
Aunt Clara.
"Only for two days, and Mrs. Reid is
there-you don't mind, dearT' coax
ingly.
But
THAT'S n darling" Two warm arms
were around Aunt Clara's neck and q
soft check pressed hers lovingly. "And
now l will make you a cup Of nice hot
tea and see il Mary has baked any Of
the cakes you like. and perhaps there
will be time enough for me to run
down to Smiths before dinner and get
that lace you wanted"
Poor Aunt Clara subsidized helplessly.
1t was two days later that a young
man, tall, broad shouldered, suit case in
hand, rushed up the steps of the sub
way at the Grand Central station,
dashed through the waiting room,
pushed past the guard at the gate, ran
toward the Pitts6eld express and
leaped on TO the steps of the last car
rs the train was pulling out Of the
station.
"Reg'lar home run, mister" com
mented the brakeman, who had watch
ed his flying approach with admiring
interest.
The young man laughed as he swung
himself up the steps and into the
crowded car. There must be a run on
Berkshires," he reflected as he walked
SLOWLY along the aisle. Every seat
was filled. The next car was no bet
ter, but in the third his eyes lighted
ON a vacant place.
MAY l sit here?" he asked perfume
itorily, glancing casually at the other
occupant, then looking again with
growing interest as he realized that
his prospective neighbor was n decided
ily pretty girl. But he was allowed
only the briefest glimpse Of a pair OF
gray eyes as their owner vouchsafed
him a formal nod, and he sank thank
fully into the seat beside her. He
glanced furtiyely at her as the train
left the tunnel. The survey was not
encouraging. Evidently the gray eyes
the dlmpled chin, the fair face turned
80 steadfastly toward the window.
were not for him.
On and on sped the train. Mamaro-
neck, Rye. Stamford gllded swiftly by.
He pulled out his paper and forgot the
proximity of the gray eyes until, look
ing up suddenly. he surprised them
looking into his own. She flushed and
turned abruptly 10 mG w1naow, and nc
bowed gravely and returned to his
paper, but the article had lost its in.
iterest He found himself rebelling at
the convention that prescribed his
speaking to her and thea wondered at
his rebellion. He had never before
shown any symptoms OF undue suscep-
tibllity. he reflected dryly, smiling at
the memory OF his aunt's frantic ef-
forts at matchmaking on his behalf.
One hour-two hours-three hours
passed. On they went. through vii
lagos nesting In shallow valleys, past
fields white with daisies and on
through long. wooded slopes, as the
train wound I'm and out among the
hills. II something only wsuld hap
pen, he thought, looking absently at
the panorama unfOlded from the car
wlndOw-and then something did,
The train went more aud more slow
ly, halted. stood still; the passengers
thrust lnquIrlng heads out OF the car
windows or streamed 10 the platforms,
and In the midst OF the confusion a
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