Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-05-26

dlcament? The worst gossip In East
erly on Ter way to the yacht, and she.
ssbyl Wainwright, unchaperoned and
helpless. GU board. Mathewson sup.
pressed a smile.
would you care to hidef" he sug-
gested clvilly.
"Hide!' repeated Miss Wainwright.
with c~ontemptuous scOrn. II vas
quite In her conception OF him that he
should make such a proposition.
Mathewson, intently studying the bit
OF ear youchsafed him and noting the
detected po!se Of the slender figure,
felt his mouth tighten. A curious
light leaped TO his eyes.
"rll do IT, he murmurcd. 1T IS a
big chance. but The next moment
he was welcoming his guests. As
Mrs. Marshall extended a plump hand
he bowed low.
Il want you to meet Miss Vain
wright" he said distinctly. In fact,
the little tea today IS given for her.
Our engagement is not yet announced.
but l wished you to be among the first
to learn Of IT,"
Miss Wainwright, the color 9ooding
to her temples, bent to put Teddyboy
on the deck. When she lifted her
head to receive Mrs. Marshall's felici-
tations and warm handclasp her smile
was quite natural.
Il am indeed greatly to be con-
graduated" she said c%omposedly.
See what a dear little dog l have
just gained"
Mathewson bit his lip. He had not
known exactly what he had expected,
but It was certainly not this. The girl
with calm self control tool up her role
Of hostess, insisting that the older WON
an should make the tea, quietly order
ing n fresh supply Of anything lacking.
Mathewson watched her, a dull ache
at his heart. How sweet, how woman
ly, she was! His audacious announce
ment TO Mrs. Marshall had been the
fruit of an impulse, actuated by such
varied and complex motives that he
himself could not entirely disentangle
his reasons for It.
He had never dreamed of finding her
at Easterly, much less on his W boat.
But. seeing her now. gracious, tactful,
dispensing his hospitality to his guests,
the empty mockery Of it all. the bitter
ness of this travesty upon his longings.
brought a tightening to his throat. Why
had he not been able TO keep her I'm
those old days? When Mrs. Marshall
rose he contrived that Miss Wainwright
should be the last to leave. As she
moved toward the gangway Mathew
son interposed.
You must forgive me-" he began IN
steadily. IL meant well. But l was
probably wrong! l usually am. The
yacht is only here for the day. / was
leaving tomorrow in any case. You can
then deny the engagement-break it
what you will. You know well how l
feel"
Miss Wainwright lifted clear eyes.
And TeddyboyY she questioned.
"Oh, Teddyboy is yours-take him."
responded the man YEARLY. you were
right. His ears would look better short.
Had he not been too old l should have
had 1t done when l bought him back"
The girl started forward.
"No, no." she cried lmpulsively. 'SThe
long, hoppy ones are much nicer. IL
should have hated you If you had cut
them. And live both love him
and-and IL 1t had not been for his
bark this afternoon I've oh, Ted
dy!' as Mathewson sprang to her side.
Are you people never comlng?" call
ed a voice from the boat. "If you are
engaged, please remember that the rest
OF us are mere prosalc mortals and
must get home to dinner"
Mathewson, his face aglow with sup
pressed excitement, leaned over the
rail.
Just a second till l get my cap" he
answered jubilnntly. Il am coming
ashore with you after all. That's it.
Steady now. Slbyl-these steps are
steep-and for heavens sake don't drop
TeddyboyF'
nuVw T-nroaaaH