Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-03-30
.Ladu Moon
By A. n. DAVIES OGDEN
COPYRIGHT. 1905, bB Ruby Douglas

OhtAAN AnE oNAANll N4 INuIaAun lNt
press OF carriages was growing almost
unmanngeablc. Within the ripple Of
soft laughter and waving OF many fans,
the glitter and glow OF diamonds be-
spoke the fact that Lady C~heyncmore
had thrown open Little harrington
House for the celebrated tableaux Of
which all London had been talking for
the week past.
The greatest beauties Of the season
were TO pose, well known artists had
consented to arrange and drape their
lovely models, and everybody" was
there.
Near the door, a little out Of the
crush. Nigel Anstruther stood and
looked about him with the eyes Of
the man to whom London sights have
been strange for the last six years.
He was a little amused and a little
bored. Society functions were not
much IN his line. Just back from In
dia ON leave, he had run up to town to
see u or two old friends, and Homo
ria Derwentwater, having no spare
moment to grant him from her other
guests. had suggested his coming on 10
Lady Cheynemore's.
II was rather a nuisance, but he
wanted TO get back TO the country next
morning IL possible. And, after all,
the color, the lights, the pretty women,
were not so bad. Presently he must
find Honorla and ask the question that
this afternoons crowd had rendered
fnannnrffIa 60 nHeN u rr~nr na~nnaHnT -
lin. he supposed. His people had al
ways hoped FOR It. And then all at
once. by a sudden freak of the mag
nation, as be glanced about for the
fair English face there rose before him
the lnughing. mischlevOus eyes of the
little American girl who had leased,
bewildercd and thoroughly enchanted
him during those few brief weeks In
Simla. Where was she now?
Involuntary his thoughts wandered
back to the day when he had seen her
first. dainty and sweet in fluffy white.
sitting under n marquee at the vice
roy's reception. She seemed such n lit
tie thing that he started in surprise
when she complained OF being unable
to secure a really good riding horse.
The hands she held out for inspection
were absurdly small. Still doubtful, he
had yet managed to get for her the
best woman's mount to be had in Sim
la. But the FIRST minute she was up his
misgiyings vanished. She certainly
could ride.
After that every day they were out
together exploring the hills, trotting
gayly over the smooth, hard roads,
Mrs. Wharton, only too glad that Ethel
had found some II to go with her,
consentlng willingly. And every day
Anstruther's admiration %deepened. II
there was one thing he approved most
it was a good seat.
The girls father was dead, and she
and her mother, a frail but indomlta-
BILE spirited woman, were lelsurely see
ing the world. After sitting in Bonn
bay. they had run up to Simla for the
breezes and fingered on, pleased with
the queer little town and the Anglo
Indian life. 1t was quite gay at that
season. Simla was full, and every day
there were dinners, ~luncheons, teas and
picnics.
Would Anstruther ever forget the
moonlight picnic he gave? The night
had been glorious. Under the soft glow
of an Indian moor the hills lay mistily
radiant, every leaf on the deodars
seeming to stand out with vivid life.
Ethel Wharton and Anstruther with
several others had gone on horseback,
the rest Of the party in rickshaws with
coolies TO carry the provisions. The pic
mic had been q great success. And then
came the ride home. BY a mutual
though unspoken impulse Anstruther
and Ethel had dropped back OF the
others. Both were conscious of a GER
tain exaltation OF mood, a vague ex-
element due to the influence OF the
moon-perhaps. Gradually their talk,
at first animated md quick, slackened
10 monosyllables and at last died
AWAY.
For several moments they rode on i'm
silence; then. a. il oppressed by the
stiffness, the girl began 10 sing. To
music OF her own she had set some
words by George Macdonald: Lady
Moon, Lady Moon. where are you row
ing? over the sea. Lady Moon, Lady
Moon. whom are you loving? All who
dove me-
Anstruther. listening, was aware Of a
sudden pang. Was she going over the
sea? Would she be going home?
Lady Moon" he began unsteadily.
'Ah, that is you-so white, so fair, 80
perfect And you. too. win pass from
nsl What shall we do without your
lightf'
The girl glanced Mt him quickly.
'Lady Moon. Lady Moon, whom are
you lovingy7 she hummed. Anstruther.
his heart suddenly beating fast, leaned
forward.
"Do you mean thatT' he demanded
tensely. "DO you love those who love
your For you know that !. Ethel'-
as something In the girls face made
his pulses leap. But. the great crimson
waves flooding up over brow and
cheek. she touched her horse smartiy.
Come" she said breathlessly. "Tn
ace you home.
Anstruther went back that night to
his quarters. a glad exultntlon tingling
fhrnu0h avorv -olu gha onraI ha was