The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-08-05

Mary's answers, with n marked attention
whose respectful courtesy savored Of the
manners ~ nm earlier date. Every now and
again, the splash Of an oar was heard, and a
gondola, with twlnklng lamp, glided by;
sometimes the sound ut singing voices came
floating down the water.
Courtney never alluded. In the course OF
conversation, Ia his resolve Ia leave enlcc.
He had come here tn say goodbye, and lOl
he now began tu tell himself that perhaps,
after all, he need not 90; that. perhaps after
all, he had nothing to fcar-his breath came
very fast, when that half-dchncd thought
presented itself tn him from Edwards and
his loycsuit
You viii not let >o long time pass again
without coming 10 see u.s. Mr. CourtncyY'
said Mary, rs she rose, Mt last, oppressed 10y
the recollection " her dutiu, ~ hostess. to
leave the balcony. She laid her hand gently
ON her companions arm.
Courtney took the hand In his. NO, no,
my child he said. earnestly
You should remember that you are by far
my oldest friend Ia Venice. the only one who
knew me rs - child, who knew with
change uf yoirc "my mother"
Courtney still held her hand In his; he
looked straight into her eyes "llnyc you
missed me- dcarY' hcwhisprfrd, In a strange
GREATNESS voice.
cot course have missed you"
Courtney released the hand "Stay here
moment; have something Ia say Ia YOU"
he began cNcii,dly. lie had risen, and was
leaning against thu low wall uf the balcony;
In his face was u look NJ Intense longing; In
his voice an appealing almost nm cntrcatlng
tone. A confession Of his love, Uf his recent
fears, Of his present intoxicating hope, was
oil o.. T. L.. H.. 4.
the frst word when the balcony was nvad-
cd by two individuals, who seemed blssfu-
~ unconscious uf intrusion, who were intent
on the Venetian duty Of watching moonlight
effects on water More guests followed. II
have been looking everywhere for you, Miss
Kenyon said u mans voice "Mill YOU per
init mo tO Introduce" with a stitlrd cN-
preston of inpntcncc, Courtney moved
away. lie was quickly captured by a loqua-
ciOus elderly lady, who bore him oil into an
autcruonl, and kept him prisoner, out Of
sight Of Mary, while she opened on him fire
of questions and anecdotes. Courtney look
ed hOpclrs,ly round for somebody to whom
Ia resign his place but he could not see any
one personally known Ia him; Mr. Kenyon,
Edwardes, Mary, and Miss Stuart were all
IN another room. lie did not wish Ia break
up the interview by leaving the house. for he
still hoped fnr nm opportunity Of saying q
few words Ia Mary. lie wondered who was
near her now, who was speaking Ia her who
had the Happiness ~ looking into her eyes.
Release was long IN coming. But, at length,
his companion showed some sign Of depart
Ing; she rose and Courtney offered her his
arm, with alacrity, 70 conduct her to Miss
Kenyon, for the exchange of parting courte-
sizes. just then, Edwardcs appeared upon
the scene his face radiant with happiness.
lie saw Courtney, and pulled up beside him,
on hi, way Ia another room. Evidently, he
was hlimiul Of good news, and was longing
Ia nupart II Ia some one. Congratulate me-"
hc whispered. II am engaged"
Engaged" ina tcnc Of blank bcwildcr-
mcnt
"Engaccd-ycs- engaged 10 be married."
Cuurlury's laxative friend moved on.
minus the support OF his arm; she made him
u little bow, which he in his confusion, was
nearly ncglccting To return. "lIOw-hOw
long have you been rngaged?" he asked, ina
thick yoice, rs hr turned 10 Edwar,lcs.
Five minutes" on the young man went,
too much occupied with his happiness 10 re-
mark that the congratulations for which he
asked had not been ynuchsafcd.
Courtney remained standing on the SPOT
where Edwarlcs had LETT him. A dazcd look
was ON his face; hc seemed ohlvious Of time
and place. Bat. ai length he reused him
self. ITS all over" he murmurcd. drawing
| his hand across his eyes Then, without "a
word to host or hostess, he made his way
| out Of the house
The next day, on her return from AN cx-
cursion to Turccllo, Miss Kenyon found u
note waiting for her from Courtney. II was
dated the prey pus night, and ran rs follows:
DEAREST MARY am sorry not Ia have
said guud-hyc To- you, this evening the more
So ~ leave tomorrow for Milan llOtel
d'Augletcrrcl, Ia spend few DAYS. You
know, hope, That have your interest al.
ways very warmly nj heart. VIII YOU then,
let me have a word to tell me when Is Ia b,,
the happy day? Your most aiicctunate,
Two mornings latrr, Courtney, seated at a
breakfast table in the mbic d'Ilptc Of the
Hotel dAnglctcrrr, Milan, read with no
small surprise, letter which had arrived
Tor him from Tom Kenyon.
"DEAR CouRrNnY.-Whata n original you
arel Was ever sn'h an offer Of marriage
| penned. rs that which you have sent Ia my
daughter? OF cOulsy, the child showed me
| your letter Certainly, you don't siOOp t.
| conquer, or, ut least, don't stOpp to supplica-
| lions; the possibility Of refusal seems never
" present Itself tOyOur high mlglltiness All
That you can mud 10 say Is; Let me know
the happy day Upon my word, your as
huIdlct " SUBLIME.
An offer Of marriage What could Tom
Kenyon mean? When Courlncyha written
of the "happy day" he had referred to
Mary's wcddng-day with Edwarlcs. lie
read on, his color coming and going, his
heart beating fast.
You may think yourself happy that Mary
accepts you, spite Ofy your unilattcring self
| confidence. Naturally, he must know that
care for him she says, taking up arms
| prcttily In your defense against my animad-
| versions on your mode of address. She tells
me, with clHrnng blush that She fanciCs
| you were about to plead your cause, In more
| humble terms, the other night at my house,
| but were Interrupted.
| seriously, Courtncy-fOr Of course have
| been Joking hlthertO-l am rrjOicOd at the
| turn of events. In giving you my daughter,
| It almost seems as II ! was In some measure
| repairing the old wrong Of years ago. Ever
| your aifectiOnatr friend, TIIOs. KENYON.
| II. Sit never rains hut II pOurS and
| lust now the clouds are big with natTimOny.
| Perhaps you have hard that young Ed
| wardes, whose acquaintance we owe a. you,
Is engaged to my ward, Lillian Stuart"
Lillian Stuart. The paper fell from Court
ncy's hands Then, It Wa 10 Lillian, and
not to Mary, that Elwarics' addresses were
paid. When he came 10 think over the mat
ter, he remembered that the ladies were I'M
known 10 ElWarcs by name when the
young man first spoke OF the attraction pos
scssed for him by one OF them. Courtney
had flown 10 the conclusion that he referred
Ia Mary.
Lillian Stuart! What mistake Courtney
had made! And how STRANGELY IL was cor
rectedl A misinicrprct,tion of letter
had changed the current of his life. Ills new
sudden Joy seemed more than he could bear