Arizona republican., 1909-06-17

Another blunder, common of it' kind to me. Have l not told you that l am always making missteps such as have no retracing?"
 Will you answer me a single ques- tion?"
 She stroked the roses.
 Will you?"
 "I can make no promise. Rather ask the question. If l see the wis., dom of answering it, I shall do so."
 ''ls there another man?" He did not look at her but rather at her fingers embedded in the roses.
 Silence. which grew and heightened.
 What do you mean?" she asked evenly, when she realized that the silence was becoming too long.
 In Venice you told me that there barrier be a man"
 Yes"
 A wrinkle of pain passed over his heart. If you love him
 Love him? No. no, l had hoped you would not speak like this; l re- lied upon your honor"
 "Is it dishonorable for me to love you?"
 'NO. but it is for me-to permit you to say sol"
 He could hear the birds twittering in the bouShs of the oak. A lizard paused on the damp stone nearby A bee lowered over the roses twirleG a leaf impatiently, and buzzed it's flight over the old wall. He was conscious of recognizing these sounds and these objects, but with the con- sciousness of a man suddenly put down in an unknown country, in an unknown age, far away from all familiar things.
 'I deplore the misfortune which crossed your path and mine again" she went on relentlessly, as much to herself as to him. But l am some thing of fatalist. We can not avoid what is to be"
 He was pale. but not paler than she.
 T offer you nothing. Mir. Hillard, nothing; no promise, no hope. noth- ing. A few days longer and we shall separate finally
 She was about to rise and ask him to excuse her and retire when Merrihew and Kitty came into view. There was nothing now to do but wait. She sought ease from tine tenseness of the moment in sorting the roses. Hillard stirred the cold dregs in his tea cup. Cold dregs, in- deed! The light of the world was gone out.
 Merrihew's face was as broad and shining as the harvest moon. He came swinging down the path, Kitty's arm locked in his. And Kitty's face was rosy. Upon reaching the table Merrihew initiated the bow of an old-t courier.
 Tt is all over," he said, swallow ing. Kitty has promised to marry me as soon as we land in America I'm a lucky beggar!"
 Yes. you are said Hillard. Con gratulations to both of you"
 La SignOrina took hold of Kitty's hands. This was q much needed di- version.
 "Is it true. Kitty"
 Yes, a'am." Kitty answered, with a stage courtesy. q have promised to marry him, for there seemed no other way of getting rid of him"
 Hflard forced a smile. It's a shame to change such a pretty name as yours, Miss Killigrew."
 'I realize that" replied Kitty. with affected sadness.
 GO to-" laughed the happy groom elect "Merrihew and Killigrew; there's not enough difference to matter. And this very night I shall cable to. America"
 Cable to America" echoed a tri- chorus
 Yes: to have d parson in the cus- tom shed when We land. know Kitty. and I am not going to take any chances
 This caused real laughter. La Sig norina relighted the tes-lamp. and presently they were all talking to- gether, testing and offering sugges- tions No matter how great the ache in the heart may be. there is all ways some temporary surcease. Hil- lard was q man.
 They laughed quietly aS they say OMaly gravely conducting his charge to the gates. He returned with Smith. Both were acknowledged.
 Well. noble concierge?" inquired La Signorina. Why, you look as if you were the bearer of ill-tidings."
 Perhaps I am" said O'Mally. He tossed his cap on the stones and sat down with Smith on the iron bench. No, no tea. think you. What l need is glass, a whole glass, of good Irish whisky. This thing has been on my mind since noon, but con- cluded to wait rather than spoil the whole day. I should have known nothing about it if it hadn't been for old PietrO.'
 What has happened :" asked Merri- hew.