Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1918-05-10

stnpleton was so far above Maria in
outward appearance that she was trou-
bled by the difference. She was very
DESTROYS Of l%essening this gap by inn
proving her wardrobe aud was plan
ming for this when her lover came TO
her and announced that the mine
which he was to promote had assayed
5000 to the ton. that he was anxious to
get his company organized at once lest
some one else should hear Of It's value
and get ahead OF him. He had really
got an assay of ore from the vein show
ing the proportion OF gold he claimed.
and this was all the truth there was TO
bis story. He asked Maria to marry
him at once and go east with him on
his quest.
Maria demurred mt such haste sim
ply for the reason that she did not con
slider herself %presentable as u bride,
especially TO the grand folks in the
east to whom her lover would intro
duce her. She did not give him this
ne a reason; she told him that he was
a stranger to her and she didn't like
TO take the risk Of marrying him with
out his being vOuched for Stapleton,
falling to persuade her 10 marry at
once, gave her references in Denver.
This suited Maria's plans exactly.
She would go to Denver. get some APP
parel that would be more appropriate
for n bride than her cheap, soiled gar
ments, see the persons referred to and
return without a word to her iance
Of what she was going to do. But n
thing interfered with her plans-she
had neither money for the journey nor
for the clothes.
There was but one way for her to
secure the necessary funds. and from
this she shrank. Jacob Cowdry might
possibly have enough for the purpose
and would doubtless let her have it.
but she knew that he loved her, and
how could she ask him for money
with which to buy a trousseau for mar
rage with a rival?
While she was trying to throw off
her repugnance Jacob came to see her.
She received him with so much gra-
ciousness that it excited in him n hope
that she might yet be won.
Jake" she said. II need some
money"
How much do you want2' he asked.
"Oh. about $5OOr"
1--WE got something over $500. Can
you make that do?'
Reckon
IAN right; I'll go and get it for
you"
But I've only one way of paying
you-the last of the claims father left
me, and that isn't worth $50. I've been
trying to sell it for that, and | can't"
II don't want any return, Maria.
You know that anything | have you're
welcome to-"
This staggered her. She was not
dishonorable and would not accept
such a favor without telling the truth.
She did so and was panied at the i'm,
preston her revelation made on him.
He did not speak for some time, then
said:
Maria, I'll not deny that this is Il
shock to me, but we must stand what
is melted out to us, and l will do any
thing TO make you happy"
The girl WINGED, but she had made
up her mind to better her condition
for the present and the future. and
she steeled herself to whit she was
doing. She permitted Jake to go for
the money and when he had gone nm
locked a tin box in which she kept the
deed to the last OF the lots her father
had left her and. taking it out, assign
ed Il to Jacob Cowdry. When Jake
returned with the money she hung her
head In silence for awhile, then hand
ed him the deed. saying:
ITS all | have to repay you. Jake,
but ] shall never forget your kind
ness"
81 don't want It," said Jake.
Take It. | will feel better If yOu
do and will he happier If 1t should
some day turn out to be valuable"
Jake took the decd. remembering
that he would need a wedding gift anC
this was all he had to offer. Then he
went AWAY. rs soon MS he had gon,
Maria sat down and cried.
Stapleton missed Maria the next day
and lie concluded that she had gone Il
Denver. The references he had giveT
her were his pals. and he knew they
would give IA good account OF him, Sc
he rubbed his hands %gleefully anC
awaited her return with impatience.
When he saw Marin again she WA
dressed becomingly, aud 1t occurred t
him that IL he really wanted "A wifi
ne might be inclined to keep her afte
he had married her. He compliments
her on the clothes she had purchased
They're all ! have In the world
she said. You'll have to take me Il
| am or not at ALI"
81 love you for yourself alone. Blu
how" he asked presently. did yol
get money to buy this outhtY'
81 owned five acres OF WORTHLESS
land sold it for $500
Stapleton started-started inwardly