Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-06-15

L~OYEMAKING
seemed as If the climax had been
reached. One Of the married women
shifted reminlscently. Il remember me
and Jim went years ago. when we
were first engaged, and we held hands
all during the last act"
III you marry Mr.. Stubblns you
won't have TO work 50 hard" said an
other of the boarders kindly.
Esther opened her brown eyes wide
In an astonished glance. She had not
thought Of Mr.. Stubbins as a means Of
escape. He was not an ideal lover. He
was red faced and puffy. with abnor-
m0lly large hands aud feet. Still. as
Esther acknowledged TO herself, he
was kind, kinder than any Il else had
eve been In all her life.
As for the play, the words OF Romeo
and Juliet meant nothing TO her. She
had never heard Of that immortal trag-
edy Of youth and love. But the thought
Of going to the theater was Il wonder
full rift IN the gray Of her existence.
When the grent night arrived her TN
gers trembled so that she could hardly
fasten her simple gown. Her aunt,
kindled into Kindness by the unexpect-
edness OF the situation, helped her
dress. at will be Il great thing for
you, ESty," she said. IF Mr.. Stubbins
should ask you to marry him. Besides,
I've got enough to DO to look after my
self without taking care OF you. hope
you'l always remember how kind I've
been to you, Esty, and how I've let you
work for your board and given you a
home. Now, don't sit staring, Ike a
bump on a log. when he's talking to
you, and don't have that faraway look
in your eyes that you've got there this
minute"
And now at last she was therein
side the theater. The lights. the mu-
sic, the sense Of waiting for Il knew
not what-all were Intoxicating. She
hardly saw the hurrying ushers, the
people taking their places. At length
came the magic instant when the over
ture died to a whisper, the footlights
Ehone luminously in the darkness and
the great curtain rose slowly, giving
to view n scene in Verona.
When 1t fell there was a thunder of
applause, Of which Esther seemed to
hear only the echo. "A-ah!' she
breathed, with a little SILVER. and in
spite Of her aunt's instructions that
was the only word she spoke all the
evening. Mr.. Stubbins gave up all Of,
forts at conversation and contented
himself with gazing about the house oil
watching the flushed, rapt face Of the
girl beside him.
At length the final curtain fell. MIR
Stubbins smiled at Esther. "Pretty
good show that was" lie observed gen.
tally.
His voice awakened Esther from hel
dream Of to the actual pres
ent Of boarding houses and drudgery
"Ycs-oh. yes, Mr.. stubbins.." she said
The flush had left her cheek, and she
was very pale.
They spoke little on the way home
Esther was thinking of what she hat
seen. Mr.. Stubbins was wondering
which was the easiest and quickes'
way to propose.
On the steps of her aunt's boarding
house they paused. The street wa
very still. The ugly rows Of house.
opposite were touched by moonlight
such moonlight as sllvered the street.
of Verona long ago. Mr., stuhbini
cleared his throat. "Esty." he began
Il amt much at lovemaking, like tina
Romeo fellow We saw this evening. bu
my business is doing well, and In
thinking OF settling down. You'd max
a fine little housekeeper. l took to yoI
from the hrst-you must have seen tina
midland / want you to marry me"
AS Esther listened she had a neet
ing vision Of Romeo. How GRACEFUL
he had stood beneath that flower hun.
balcony, while Mr.. Stubbins, red fror
the unwontedness OF lovemaklng. looh
cd more awkward and norid than ever
She gave a little gasp-of pleasure, Mi
stubbins thought. He smiled benei
icently. "of course you're surprised.
he said. "and it's only natural. But
mean what / say. You're lonely an
I'm lonely. ri give you a good HON
and you'll never be sorry for marryln
me-"
Esther made a quick. despalring ge'
ture. Wait, Mr.. %Stubbins~ she crieI
II haven't bRd that I'd marry yo'
And 1 can't say II, because I don't low
you. On, ! know you can't understand
but there are things a girl wants NOR
than n home-a thousand times more
| hope you're not angry with me, N
stubbins, for you've always been 8
kind, and I'll never forget your takin
me 20 see a play that showed me wha
love really means"