Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-02-10

IN claiming your old friends IN Warn
field, 3fr. Bracket"
II was a merely banal greeting. but
the commonplace served to place Brac-
kett on the right footing.
Most certainly. aud yet I feel that
I should apologize for this intrusion.
bad l not come to make apology for a
greater one that was made In my
name"
"You aiiude to Afr. stinson's caliY'
she laughed lightly. "Afr. Stinson does
me the honor 20 consider me a force
IN the political situation. / assure you
! appreciate the compliment, as the
president Of the Hypatia. But as
Elizabeth Heath, I must beg to decline
IT,"
Bracket made a slight movement
toward her. Il beg you to consider
the man and his total Ignorance ~ to
the enoTnitE OF what he was doing.
II was a distinct shock "a me 70 hear
your name upon his lips. and
Il understand" she replied quickly.
Believe me. I did not connect you
with II In the least. In fact, when ho
mentioned that you would call to dis
cuss The matter I was very certain that
you were entirely innocent Of all
knowledge Of his errnnd here"
Bracket flushed darkly.
Il trust you will treat this incident
as II It had happened, and Of
course there need be nj question Of
your support in a political sonse."
Here they both laughed uneasily.
80 much 80" she responded, that
l will use every effort to further the
cause OF Governor Brackett."
Bracket Bprang to his feet. his dark
face aglow. "Elizabethl"
Miss Heath held up n warning hand
"Mr. Bracket, fifteen years have come
and gone since any man has held the
right to call me by that name. We
were speaking Of politics."
Bracket submitted mutely as she led
the talk around to other questions OF
the day lightly and easily, giving him
time to find himself in the talk Of old
friends and places.
And the general, how is he and your
mOther7"
She looked at him wOnderlngly. "Is
II possible that with all Of MFR. stin-
sons Information he did not tell you
that l am living here alone with only
Aunt JaneI Father and mother died
within one month Of each other ten
years ago."
Bracket turned abruptly and walked
10 the window. He understood many
things now, oil the loneliness and the
Ind lived her life so bravely. The sun-
light in the square was binding. Per-
haps that was why his eyes were wet
as he walked swiftly down the long
room and drew her hands into his.
elizabeth, there was fate in Stln-
sons call, the fate that has watched
US both through all these years. There
were ghosts that knocked and walked
my starved heart last night, ghosts
that would not be sIlenced. l was n
coward then, a coward not brave
enough to humble my pride and tell
you Of the burden hat lay between us,
and when death removed that burden
1t was too late, l thought, but l nm
here nov to plead my case afresh, here
at your mercy. We are older now, and
there Is little youth left US. and for
Gods sake don't let pride stand be-
tween us and that little. VIII the pres
ident Of the Hypatia work for me as
my promised wife? VIII she, Eliza
bethT"
Old Peter shufied down the hall un-
noticed and stood In the doorway n
brief second, then he ambled away,
hopping his eyes.
II thought that was Massa John
Bracket. rs certain now for suahT'