The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-05-11
LOVE CoNQUERs.
ny THE AUTHOR or "poRA ruoRSg,"
ga ROSE IN TnoRNe," Rrc.

tainly make Mr.. Ntbart welcome and COM
Portable"
"Now Lllias," said the Earl plcadIngly,
"do not, pray do not"
"What papal" she interrupted.
ado not my dear, speak IN that tone.
know just what 1t means. You will re-
cVi,e that unfortunate young NAN Ia your
most kindly freezing fashion, a.d ~ tue
end OF an hour lac Will wish himself
thousand miles away. know your man-
ner 80 well with people OF that kind"
al am unfortunate IL my manner does
not please you, papa" sand Lady Lilias
proudly.
alt does, my dearw cried the Earl has
lilly. alt does very much indeed; but |
feel sorry at times Tor those who-do net
understand it--as do; do you soc,
my lover You will do your best for MIR.
Wharf, l am sure. 1t has been one Of the
desires Of my heart to see q bridge over
the Ulyor. | was In some measure com
PEELED TO ask Sir Rayo to pay me visit; |
wanted him to study the site well, so thas
the bridge should be an ornament. | must
extend to Sir Rayc's representative the
same kindness and hospitality | would
have shown to HIMSELF
The proud face softcned, the grt' Of Il
figure bent over him, and white arm
stole round his neck.
"My dearest papa, surely you may ask
whom you will" she replied. al am not
30 proud as you think mo;" and the rosy
lips smiled in a fashion that would have
melted harder heart than the Earl's.
"Lilias," said the Earl gently, "you arc
one OF the sweetest of women; at the same
time l honestly believe you to be the
proudest girl in England. Now do not be
ofTendedr
al am not sure but that am flattered,"
she answered; and Lord Audley, knowing
well ho could never quite manage his
beautiful young daughter, went away.
"The proudest girl In England" Men
and women both gave that title to the
hciross Of Ulyerscroft. Yet, strange TO
say, her pride made her no enemies; 1t
seemed natural to her, and was the be-
coming shield to her rare loyciness.-
When her violet eyes looked calmly over
or ut any persons whom she did not ill.,
tend to recognise, the impression LETT up
on them was less of pride than Of their
own unworthiness.
She was just nineteen, and for two years
she had been the queen OF the great world
OF fashion, queen such rs had seldom
reigned before-so young so maryellously
fair, so proud, so pure, so utterly un-
spoiled by the homage that was enough to
make other women vain. Princes bowed
before her and sought her smiles; she gave
them no favor. Peers sought her society;
but not one could boast that the exquisite
face had ever frightened or sOituned for
him. All homage, ilattcry, and eompli-
ment seemed to fall from her and leave her
untouched. She was faultlcssly beautiful,
with fair patrician ovelincss; she was u
wealthy heiress, and the daughter Of ono
| of England's most honorod peers. She
was the worshiped queen Of the great
world, holding proud sovereignty. Week
| ly journals did not hold out her protrait
as an Involvement to purchasers. Her
photographs were not to be seen In every
shop window in London. Her reign was
| OF higher order. Noble and learned men
went where they could meet her, for the
charm Of her lovely face and her fresh ear
nest words. She was something higher
than ballroom belle; people caught
through her beautiful eyes u glimpse Of
her pure soul. She had been wOocd, but
never won. Some of the oldest titles in
England had been laid AT her feet, some of
the noblest men had wooed her; but her
heart had never been stirred; she had
loved no one. Calmly and proudly she had
declined all offers OF marriage, until poo
| Hit Dtbhh W MOhutls oHl1 OHNt Va
Audley yentured on remonstrance, and
that was when she had refused the young
Duke Of Cortland.
| "Why have you said NO to him, Lii
iasl" asked the Earl.
"Because l could do as l would with
him, papa. / could wind his will round
my little finger just-see-as | wind this
silk. When 1 marry, my husband must be
my master"
"That is, If he can, my dear" returned
the Earl doubtfuliy.
ole must, papa" said the beauty impe.
riously. l shall never marry until lind
my MASTER"
"Then l fear, Lilias, you will never
marry ut ALL" was the answer grayely
given.
She laughed at such u prophecy.
'Rely upon 1t, papa, shall have u mas
ter soon. 10 quote tine words of an old
song
"IIe may come to-day, or he may come to-
| morrow;
But somewhere he's waiting, and waiting
for me-"
The Earl kissed her bright face fondly.
"He will be u clever man who bends this
proud head, Lilias," he said.
"He will begin at the heart, papa; and
the rest will be easy"