The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-08-12
(" HER FRANCIS"


ever since she was born"
Hugh looked rather jealousy at her, and
then laughed.
"Well, never mind. shall have her all
10 myself soon. But must be OF and post
this TO her. I'll come this evening and read
you out what she says"
Mabel, still smiling, notwithstanding the
trouble with which she fought night and
day, went to see II the shower were over.
Only few drops were falling, so she set of.
The narrow dark street into which she turn
ed was unusually crowded with carts and
carriages and, engrossed with her own mis-
cradle thoughts, she never noticed until she
was In the thick Of thenl-for II had no foot
way-that she was IN danger OF being run
over. Suddenly she felt herself seized and
drawn back, but only just In time. She look
ed up TO thank Hugh Sedley, rs she expect
ed, and found herself face TO face with
Francis Grantleyi But Francis Grantley
such ~ she had never seen, either In dream
land or In life, holding out rigid arm for
her to take, which might have been that OF
statue insensible 10 human touch, 10 cold
and expressionless did his face look.
The bitter suffering Of the last weeks surg
ed up In her brain and seemed to set II on
fire as she saw the stony face OF the man
who had caused II. Had thousand deaths
been before her she would willingly have
died them all sooner than accept the support
he offered her. Without one word OF thanks
for saving the life that he had lmbittered for
always, she turned and left him. Had she
but looked back, she would have seen moth
ing stony about him then. Could he have
been mstakenl What did that proud pale
face, those burning, indignant eyes mean?
"You have no umbrella" he said hoarsely,
as he overlook her: "and another heavy
shower Is coming"
She darted under near arehway. lie
followed her leisurely and found her as far
inside as she could 20. her pale face and
glowing eyes brought out In curious relief
by the light Of lamp before shrine In the
opposite wall. Why did he not let her alone,
she asked herself. What bitter mockery OF
her pain To care nothing for breaking her
heart but much that q few drops OF rain
should fall upon heri She felt more than
saw that he was examining her closely.
"You are changed, Miss Talbot" he said.
"a few weeks ago shower would not have
struck you dumb"
Changed! Mabel would have forced her
self TO deny this had II not been for some
thing In his tone. Had his voice trembled?
Her expression was less hard AZ she stam-
mered out; II was startled, surprised. did
not know that you were In Florence"
He leant toward her, and his words were
low but very distinct
"Why not say at once that my presence
here Is unwelcomc TO you."
She changed color, and her lips trembled
a little.
''rhe rude suggestion was yours and not
mine"
AT least confess" and he came step
nearer, that you are disappointed that It
was not Mr. Sedley who prevented your
committing sucide--as you seemed clearly
bent upon doing"
standing what was In his mind, from sheer
surprise at hearing the name ON his lips.
"Yes, Mr.. Sedley," he repeated, Per
haps you are offended at my want of man
ners. Allow me TO make amends, and con-
graduate you now then"
Mabel never quite remembered what hap.
pened as she stood and listened TO the few
words which revealed TO her the cause Of his
unaccountable conduct 1t flashed across
her for the first time that, after all, they had
never been quite engaged, had never had q
thorough explanation. Subsequent events,
rumOr, might easily have made him believe
her to be engaged TO Hugh Sedley, and that
she had only been amusing herself with him !
What could he have thought OF heri But he
still loved herl The rush Of Joy flooding her
heart almost stified her, and she rushed out
into the rain.
lie brought her back. "Why do you not
thank me for my congratulations" he asked.
because don't happen TO be the woman
that he Is going to marry"
who Is, theny'
"My cousin-Charlotte Burns.'
He staggered against the wall as white as
death. "Great heavens! What lies people
tell Mabel, II you saw fellow creature
starving you could not hold food 10 his lips
and then draw II away againY'
~ have spoken the truth"
"And yet you spent all your time with
him until report gave him to you as your
aiiianced husband2'
81 gave him my time and my sympathy, as
would have given them 10 my own broth
ers. He Is almost a brother to me-"
A deep sob shook him frsm head tn foot
Mabel crept nearer to him. and the next few
words were spoken with both her hands In
his. mabel, listen. When was forced to
leave you without even word Of farewell,
meant to return immediately, but my poor
friend llngered-and died; and even before
then those lying tongues dealt me q DEATH
blow. Mabel, II you ever had any love for
me, tell me- 1t may not be too late for me
TO win II back"
And az he stopped his head TO catch her
whispered words, he heard her say that she
had always loved him, even when she had
tried to forget him-always-even before she
had known him.
"Mabel," he said, little hesitatingly
when they were indoors II want you TO do
something for me-if only for once?"
what can II possibly be-Frdnkr' she
said In very small voice. and biushing rosy
red.
He smiled at her answer, yet sigh OF TO
lief escaped him, making him feel rather
foolish. He looked down at her and she
looked up, and then they both laughed.
THE END.