The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1906-02-06
The MANI
LIVED GOD

ivy iASAe, " ny n M WnlLShS6Qsl 81
Two paths wound their tortuous ways
about the hill and came out finally on q
small rocky shelf. The place COM
manded an excellent view Of the level
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 q cool, green vista In the
July sunshine.
The man toiled slowly up one of
these paths. pausing occasionally to
mop his pecspiring brow and to curse
~dejectedly 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 his legs dangling owe the
brink. A few moments later the girl
arrived on the scene, surveyed the
mans broad pack a moment and then
said, half in annoyance, half in en-
barrassment, 'Ohi"
The man turned about, beheld the in
truder and with a cough-the mascu-
line haven of refuge at such a i1ne-
resumed his study of the green tints
in the valley below. The girl looked
irresolutely at the man and with equal
irresolution at the path b had just.
travelled. Then she sat down, with no
irresolution whatever, beneath one of
the scraggy frs. The tension of the
silence became oppressive. 1t was the
girl who broke it,
az desire 20 be alone" she said, with
imperious GOODNESS.
The man turned slowly.
"You seem to voice my own IDEAS"
he said.
"Why don't you leave, them" she
asked.
He smiled with calm insolence.
Because said he, 81 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 feecy bits of white clouds drift
ed lazily. Her parasol was tapping
~nervously an exposed root of h fir.
do you mind telling me why o
came up here this afternoon" she ask
ed.
"For the same reason a murderer is
drawn to the scene of his crime, by
some horrible fascination, 1 suppose
he explained.
The girl smiled grimly.
"You admit it was a crime, then?'
"Mea culpa, mea culpa," he said;
"mea most heinous culpa!"
She frowned. Its scarcely humor-
ous," she chided.
1T is tragic" he declared. He turn
ed to her suddenly and his face was
grave. why did you Gomez he asked.
II wanted to be-to be alone with
my dead" she said, almost wistfully.
He Strengthened up. His tone was
eager
you're sure it's dead?" he sked.
"Quite So" said she. LAS a murder
er you're decidedly effective"
Are you sure" said he, "1t isn't
stunned or shamming? Are you GER
tain it won't come to life againY
The girl sighed.
"It Is dead-stone dead" she said,
with a touch of sadness in her voice.
al thought" he remarked, that love
had as many lives as a cat-that one
might cruelty maltreat it and yet it
would survive"
There is a limit to all things-even
the forbearance of love-" she said.
The man swung his legs over the
brink, and his brow was drawn into a
puzzled frown.
IT, o--;l1- nfroi f6Arn1o N cno ry
of life yet" said he. 1T would be
frightful to bury b poor chap alive.
It seems to me we should try resusci-
tation first"
I'm afraid it's too late" she said
coldly. "It is far easier to destroy than
to resurrect-"
"Quite SO, quite So" said he uneasi
IL. "Oh, l saw" b. burst out contrite-
~, you lott really mean it's all off.
You don't rean you'll let that misera-
BILE tiff of yesterday morning end ey-
erything, do you"
The girl arose.
"I came up here to be alone" she
said. 1T is evident l must seek soil
tude somewhere else"
He jumped to his feet
"IIl CO." he said. You may have the
CHI TO yourself bul pelOle l iedNe
want to ask a favor. When you bury
the dead. you'll not forget it entirely,
will you? You'll remember that for a
1ay-for a day
He stopped and looked at her.
"Oh, we'll" he said contritely, at
was all my fault anyway. 1 have no
right TO ask favors. Goodby."
He moved down the winding path.
The blackberry vines caught at his
clothes, but he forgot to curse them.
Halfway down the path he heard rap
a. foo4efopS behind him He turned