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A HAPPY INVOLVEMENT
By Harold Carter
(Copyright by W G. Chapman.)
, "And so I am going" away, Juan
ita." The girl looked at him in a dim, un
comprehending way. During the six
months that he had spent in New
Mexico, at the hotel where she as
sisted her father, Ralph Brunton had
come to mean everything to her.
Her indolent father, having
amassed a comfortable fortune as the
landlord of the most prosperous hotel
along the coach route, had had the
means to educate his daughter at the
convent at Santa Fe. Juanita had all
the Spanish charm and grace, now,
with the education and refinement
gotten from the good sisters she
could have picked her choice of the
Wealthy suitors for her hand.
But Ralph Brunton seemed utterly
different from the rough ranchers
and prospectors who stayed at the
hotel, tried to flirt with her and went
away. He had never attempted any
liberties with her. In his presence,
under his respect, her high spirits
were subdued to a timid, wistful en
deavor to win his regard.
And she, too, had come to mean
everything to him, though he dared
not admit it to himself. Because
"I know why you are going," said
Juanita. "There is some girl in the
east, isn't there, Ralph?"
He admitted it. He had not told
her, but she had always guessed the
reason why he had never made love
to her until three nights before. Then
the realization of the impending sep
aration had unstrung him. Perhaps
it was also the influence of the peace
ful night scene, the crisp air, the
sparkling stars, the wind among the
cactus. He had turned to her and
suddenly she was in his" arms and
their lips together.
And the two days that followed
were heaven for both of them. But
it was different from heaven, because
it ended.
"I am going away, dear," said
Ralph.
She was too proud to try to detain
him. "But, remember," she said, half
crying, half jestingly, " 'The Miners'
Rest' is always open to wayfarers."
A pressure of the hand, and he was
gone toward the coach stables. After
ward Jnanita saw him riding away in
a cloud of dust. She put her head
down on her arms and cried.
A year before Ralph had been sent
west with lung trouble. He had been
Juanita Saw Him Riding Away in a
Cloud of Dust
engaged to Mary Leeson; his father
and hers were partners in a number
of mining claims. Both men were
millionaires. In was a natural thing
that Ralph, fresh from college, should
fall in love with Mary.
He had gone the pace, too, in his
last year. A cold, neglected, had
spread to his lungs; the upshot was
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