La Junta tribune., 1905-12-09

~
800 or three days
"Was that the reason you did noa
come TO see Us last night !? asked
Mad tribe bitterly.
Last night: No; II had .
headache"
Doubtless your new duties =
fanee prevented you also. How i
the attractive Miss Kitty
.'Confound Miss Kitty! Do you
believe that cock and bull story, too.
Mad? i thought you had more
sense than to credit every story that
the gossips in this internal place st
going" growled Bernard.
A sudden smile creased AsdelinSs
piquant face. but she rsprssssd IL
instantly.
why, / thought she vas such
an intelligent lsdy-so we'll balanced
and methodieal-qmte the vision Of
YOUR Dreams" she added. Q spice Of
malice in her tone.
"She is . thousand miles from BE-
ing the lady Of my dreams! de-
claTed the lieutenant warmly, look
ing earnestly at his pretty compan-
ion. "She: Never! She has none
of the charm, the freshness, the Uit.
that would attract me. l want ss
least u show of tenderness In the
woman to whose mercies l intrust
my heart-some one who Will love
me, if only little. Besides, Mad.
he added, suddenly restraining his
impetuous outbreak, You might
have trusted me enough to know
that l would have told you before
any one else if it WAS anything seri-
Gus. Do you trust me at all. Mad
he asked after a pause.
The young girl looked at him in
surprise.
because if you do" Bernard con-
tinued without waiting for an an
swer, Il want to ask you u question.
May ~
Madeline nodded her head in con-
sent.
Tell me, then, is it true that you
have encouraged young Erskine
The colonel's daughter moved i'm
patiently, but Bernard brsved her
displeasure.
Il cannot tell you how much I
hope it is not SO" he went on. Bob
BY is good chap, but not at all the
kind of fellow for you. You would
never he happy with him in the
the world. You can't depend
upon him for an instant. ! realize
that what / am saying and doing
may seem unworthy Of an officer
and q gentleman, but, oh, Mad. de-
sire your happiness more than any
thing else in the world, and ! cannot
bear to see you throw yourself away
upon a man who ! know 10 not
worthy"
The lieutenant stopped. He wss
pale, but his voice rang clear and
earnest.
Thank you," said Mad after .
slight pause. Il did not know that
Mr.. Erskine was desirous Of making
me his wife. Certainly l have new
er, never given him the smallest e.
couragement in such an idea"
She was silent for . moment and
then added dreamily:
If ever l marry it will Be with .
man to whom l can give my whole
confidence, some one whose com
panion ! will be both glad and proud
to become and who will be gsats
and kind with me-"
Bernard looked at her. He kaA
never seen her in this mood before.
She had always houted him vhea-
ever he had tried to be serious.
What . brute you must tAink
me, Mad" he murmured contritsly.
"How could l ever have bssa s1eA
an ass As to scold YOU!
Madeline moved her hands u .
pretty gesture of denial. asd Ase
eyes spoke eloquently. Bernard
looked at her, scarce daring to heps.
Behind the blue eyes lay . love teo
strong to be denied, and the young
man seized both the white hands IN
his. just then . deep voice e.
claimed above them.
''Seems to me that for TIVE ess-
mics you are not doing . killing
business this morning."
"Oh, colonel, colonel" cried Dsf-
nard. turning toward the piassa,
will you-vould you
will !, would I vhatr lasgAeA
Colonel Gregory.
Nov you are jestine With nsl
Give me Madeline for my wife! I
beg you. love her"
The colonel called to Mn. 0rse-
ory, Who vas inside.
NY dear, what 10 your sAvics -
Re ssks.a smilins sH~r> - -.