The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1905-07-12
THE MANY
LIVED GOD

manQe0 an excellent view OF the v
valley and the river twisting and turn
Ing a shimmering course many feet be-
low Far across the valley ON the 9TH
er side Of the river the pine covered
slopes made a cool, green vista In the
July sunshine.
The man toiled slowly up one of
these paths. pausing occasionally to
mop his p~e-spiring brow and TO curse
de1ectedly the blackberry vines which
now and again ciutched his trousers.
The girl came up the other path, hold-
ing a fluffy parasol in SO spiritless a
fashion that the sun streamed full up
on her brown head.
The man reached the rocky shelf
first and seated himself on the very
edge. with bis legs dangling over the
brink. a few moments later the girl
arrived on the scene, surveyed the
mans broad back q and then
said. half in annoyance. half In en-
barTassment, "Oh!"
The man turned about. eheld the in
truder ard with a cOugh-the mascu-
line haven of refuge 1T such d time
resumed his study OF the green tints
in the valley below. The girl ooked
irresolutely at the nan and with equal
irresolution at the path she had just
Travelled. Then she sat down, with nc
irresolution whatever. beneath one OF
the scraggy frs. The tension of the
silence became oppressive. 1t was the
girl who broke 1t.
81 desire 20 be alone,' she said, with
impefiouS GOODNESS.
The man turned slowly.
"You seem to voice my own ideas"
he said.
Why don't you leave, hen?" she
asked.
He smiled with calm in%solence.
Because said he, Il wish to be
here. Besides, this is my puddle. l
found it first"
The girls eyes narrowed and she
pursed her lips.
This particular nook is of my dis
covering. kindly remember said she.
Possession is nine points of the
law" he returned.
The girls eyes looked across the
valley to the ragged line of hills. over
which fleece bits of white clouds drift
ed lazily. Her parasol was tapping
~nervously an exposed root of the fir.
DO you mind telling me why you
came up here this afternoon she ask
ed.
For the same reason u murderer Is
dra wn 10 the scene of his crime, by
some horrible Fascination, l suppose"
he explained.
The girl smiled grimly.
"You admit it was Il crime. then?"
"Mea culpa. inca culpa." he said;
inca most heinous culpat'
She frowned. It's scarcely hunlor-
GUS, she chitIed.
1T is tragic" he declared. He turn
ed to he's suddenly and his face was
grave. WI, did you Gomez he asked.
Il wanted TO be-to be alone with
my dead" she said. almost wistfully.
He s~traiAntened up. His tone was
eager.
You're sure it's dead:" he asked.
quite So" said she. AS a murder
er you're decidedly effective"
Are you sure" said he. lit isn't
stunned or shamming? Are you GER
tain it won come to life again?"
The girl sighed.
"It is d~ead-stone dead" she said,
with Il touch of sadness i'll her voice.
Il thought" he remarked, that love
had AS many lives as Il cat-that one
might cruelty maltreat it and yet 1t
would survive"
There is a limit to all things-even
the forbea of love-" she said.
The man swung his legs over the
brink, and his brow was drawn Into a
puzzled frown.
I'm terribly afraid there's a spark
of life yet" said he. "1t would be
friGhtful to bury the poor chap alive.
1t seems to me we ould try resusci-
tation first"
Pm afraid it's too late" she said
coldly. 1T is far easier to destroy than
to resurrect."
quite SO. quite So said lie uneasi.
ly. oh. | say he burst out contrite-
ly, you dot really mean it's all Oft.
You don't can you'll let that misera-
BILE tiff of Yesterday morning end ev-
erything, do you"
The girl arose.
Il came up here to be alone" she
said. 1T is evident l must seek soil
tude somewhere else"
He jumped to his feet.
I'll CO." he said. You may have the
cliff 10 yourself. But before leave l
want to ask a favor When you bury
the dead. you'll not forget 1t entirely.
will you: You'll remember that for u
1ay-for a day
He stopped and looked at her.
'aOh, we'll" he said contritely, sit
was all my fault anyway- | have no
right to ask favor Goodby."
He move| down the winding path.
The blackberry vines caught at his
clothes. but he forgot TO curse them.
Halfway down the path he heard zap
i'd footsteps behind him He turned
and beheld the girl hurrying after
him. Her race was crimson, and her