San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-08-10

Very soon Mrs. Runsen becam
the center Of the most distin
guished group in the room. Altogethe
the evening was triumph, the gentle
men taking every opportunity to con
graduate Philip on his selection Of
wife, and the ladies proving by theil
absorbed gaze their recognition of tn
costliness Of Mrs. Runsen's toilet. "By
the-bye," said Philip, as they drove back
to the hotel, 81 saw my cousin claim
your acquaintance this evening-did
you know him in New York;"
"Philip, you will be rather astonish.
ed to hear it was your cousin whom ]
was engaged to marry. He was quite
dazed when he found it was Valeria
Vincy you had married." and Mrs.
Runsen's laughter was musical with the
happiness she felt.
"How altogether comfortable to
think you are saved from that unmiti-
gated IDIOT" said Philip, in answer.
" He is quite welcome to my mothers
money, dearest, now that have you. u
At II next morning Valera came to
her husband, equipped for a prone
nades n.. r. .-s.I. 1s
eff you will permit me to be SO vul-
gar" remarked her husband, as he sur
veyed her from over his morning paper,
81 should say that you are becoming
rather stunning in your raiment.
And indeed Mrs. Runsen's tall, fair
beauty was admirably set off by the seal
brown of her velvet suit. .....,..u
"And here, in accordance with Wash
ington usage" continued Mr.. Runsen,
while his wife fastened her long gloves,
F" here is a lengthy description Of your
Incompatible beauty, etc.," touching
the paper, "and the statement that your
alone are worth fortune,
Mrs. Runsen; so that am expecting
every moment telegram from my moth
er to assure us we are forgiven, and well
coming us to her arms" .I. ..F
Just as Mr.. Runsen spoke there was a
rap upon the door, and the servant an
nounced Mrs. James Runsen in the par
lor, so with some merriment they de-
scended to meet her. Mrs. Runsen,
senior, was very gracious to her new
playfully reprimanding her
son on being so dilatory in bringing his
wife to see her, and altogether ignored
the circumstances under which they
had last parted.
GAS see you were going OUT" said
she presently, turning to Valeria, "you
must let me give you an airing; my
landau is at the door, and we can drive
up and down the Avenue
"Thank you very much" answered
Valeria quietly, "but am about to
take Philip to look at house I have Sc
lected-we are tired of hotel life.'
"Then shall 60 with you," insisted
Philips mother; and as it was impossi-
Die to decline this, Valera accepted in
silence.
As they rolled westward, Valeria was
very silent, while Mrs. Runseh gave a
stream of advice as to the advantage of
lot and cold water and stationary ward
'obes, but allowed that they were i'm
possible things in o house available to
heir very moderate income.
Oh, I dare say Valeria will manage
very thing in some wonderful way"
aid Philip. "She has the talent for
making little do great deal, have
ound out already" and as he spoke,
hey drew up, in answer to Valeria's
previous instructions, before stately
tone edifice, much handsomer than
hrs. Runsen's own mansion.
"That stupid coachman has made
ONE mistake" said the owner of the
arriage, as she prepared to inform him;
Tut Valeria said gently, "No, he is
Iuite right" and stepped out of the car
iage, the others following, scarcely
why. a.
Up the broad steps, across the tessel-
ted hall into room like fairly land
With its Administer carpet of pale hues,
nd blue satin hangings and furniture,
While beyond opened vistas of apart
nents as exquisitely designed, in orange
nd ebony, and further on in crimson
nd gilt.
For a moment mother and son stood
boxing at this silent splendor; then
'hilip turned, looking in his wife's tim
l grown face, said sternly, "Valeria,