San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-02-16

tistic or aesthetic convictions. 1t wa
even said that an unlucky follow WHIT
J once pertinaciously asked has to bu,
some work of art that his EL'in"nc'
thought unworthy of consideration lat
felt the weight of his sacerdotal fist. i
was conceded, in short, that his Emf
hence, though benefcent patron, wa'
q man whom it was dangerous to offend
While he had been kind and Affections
ate toward his niece, he had always
governed her strictly, and though pro-
viding for her literally, he provided
nothing but what seemed good in his
own eyes, and gave his attention to the
smallest details of her life. Now that,
for the first time, she was left to her
own judgment in an important matter,
he still quietly kept the run OF all she
did by having her bills sent to him in
person. a.. .'...
Beatrice gave out orders for the trous-
seau in royal style, and gradually they
began to come in. Rich dresses, all
gorgeous with embroidery, laces rare
and curious, wrought expressly for this
fortunate bride, the finest linens for
underwear, and even jewels all passed
unchallenged. But one day there came
from celebrated French manufactory
a bill that made the Cardinals old face
wrinkle up into great many queer
puckers-four dozen pairs of stockings
at 200 scudi per pair. Nearly 10000
scudi for stockings! After an ejacula-
ton not taken from any of the Church
offices, he sent in haste for Beatrice.
She came--such vision of youth and
happiness as might melt any layman's
heart; but the churchman's heart was
not to be laid at any woman's feet; so
it had but little consideration for her
stockings.
Beatrice, here is bill.'
b eyes, uncle DEAR" as she slid down
like sunbeam, and shone up at him
from low stool at his feet.
"Stand up, Beatrice"
She stood up, hands behind her, as
when she was a little girl. .., ..-
GA bill for-stockings."
"Yes, uncle" .r I.
"Four dozen pairs of stockings at 200
scudi EACH" |.a. .m..
sis it too muchp"
"Too much! It's the price of this
gem that will live forever, and speak
and teach men as long as it lives" he
said, taking up an exquisite little pic
ture that he had lately bought. cit is
the price of that beautiful marble there
so beautiful it brought tears to the
eyes of young artist who saw it the
other day, and he went home and work.
ed the better for it. Too much!" and
he nearly fell into one those ejacula-
tions, not out of the prayer-book, again.
81 only sent, uncle, for the finest
the very finest stockings that could be
made"
"Bring the stockings here to me-"
Beatrice obeyed, returning with a
small parcel. The Cardinal ordered,
"Open it,"
Trembling she opened it, and taking
out pair of stockings, slipped one of
them over her hand to show the fineness
of the texture. The Cardinal slipped
the other over his hand. 49,
"Now, why did you spend 10000
scudi for these cobwebsp or, more to
the point, what do want of such things
at alp"
"Why, uncle, to cover my feet, to be
sure"
"But they don't cover your feet. They
are delicate as veil. l can see every
blemish on my hand through them.
Now, then, answer, what was your
deaP" he questioned, sharply. /
elf you please, UNCLE" his niece fall
.ered, "you didn't object tothe dresses,
nor the laces, nor the jewels, and"
"The dresses are beautiful, and lend
'tateliness to your presence; the laces
Ire wrought with art, and will last long,
md be curious objects even when they
ire old. l have costly collec-
ion of old laces that l prize. Jewels
ire not for the moment; they please the
we for centuries. The abundance of
mems, soft and cool, accustom your
ouch every day to what is fresh and
lainty. You have thousand orna- !
nents, trimmings, odds and ends, and I
pretty nothings that make your fairness
airer. There's nobility in the extrav-
Lrrnnnn thnt .,nr, l.. mn tL;,,l. e..