The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-06-20
%UncOmmOnIy Common.
RoBERTINEs ROMANCE HOW SHE
CONCEALED 1T.

his great third-linger diamond 10y care
less motions Of the hand.
81 say, what do you Think | am go
ing TO change hotels
"lndeedy Why ! thought you liked
your place so muChy'
II did. until this morning. Never
was more surprised In my life. What
do you suppose ! found in my coileeY'
"a fly" the young lady suggested.
Not exactly
Then n rOaChy'
"Oh. no; dear me. not so bad. But IL
was n shred of something csembling
cottOn.,'
"Oi' said Robertine in Il relieved
tone. "a piece of the dish-cloth. And
you will change because of thaty'
Il have serious thoughts. And now.
She turned to the window and gazed
intently.
"What are you looking att" he asked.
THAT literary friend of yours coming
out acrossY Clever fellow. isn't hep
Wish | could write. But, do YOU know,
Robcrtiuc, | fancy-though | may he
mistaken-l fancy the poor fellow hasn't
got a good tailor
Robcrtine answered very deliberate
ly: II think II more probable that he
hasn't any ut all
What! YOU don't mean he IL dis
trcsscdY That would he roughl A fell
low that can reel of such things. Id
like to help him out some way or other.
DO you think he'd I've offended If | ask
ed him TO accept a presently
II know he would be offended" she
answered d%ecisivrlv.
he didn't feel greatly disappointed. lie
was eXcellcntly disposed as far rs offer
ina to be liberal went. 80, | suppose
So he assentcd; these fellows are
proud AS the dickens"
But about your hotely"
"Well, | have nearly decided to make
a change. a hotel is very comfortable,
but a man gets to thinking he'd like a
home of his own lie left the rock
ing-chair for the sofa precisely rs Ethel
had done so short time before. Rob
ertine.m he said softly, and took possess
sion of her hand; "R0bertinc, you know
what | mean, don't youIn
II do not know what you mean she
answered in "A low, firm tone.
Don't you, darling; don't you know
| love you and want you for II wife,
Yes, | want n wife and a homel'
She had caught every word; ii had
not escaped her that he wanted n wife
as an adjunct to-a home. And she re-
sisted no longer, but allowed him to
I NANhh lNiA Ah NANNltN anu NNNAAANls NNANAAl
1t touched his lips.
1t was really arranged. thought Mrs.
Ferris, signing contentcdly in the other
room, where she had not missed Il word.
Alter all Rohprtinp was "A sensible girl;
aud she thought she would 20 in and
light the gas and receive the "
'llrrc are some matches, daughter"
she said i%nuuccntly. 1t will soUn he
dark
Wales arose bowling, and managed
after n fashion to announce the engage
mcnt.
Mrs. Ferris stood n moment as if
astonished, then approached. smiling
~benevolently. Her little speech had
been well rehcarstd. II am not wholly
surprised she said. "RObcrtine is so
frank that she has poorly concealed
from me her growing affection for you.
am overjoyed that she has found one
so worthy of her-and-and | congratu-
late you both Saying which she with
drew with unusual dignity.
Mr.. Wales remained IN hour or so;
then he told his bctrothed she looked
tired and he would not keep herup. lie
lifted her hand and pressed it to his
lips. 1t vas not a very beautiful hand,
but we know lovers and lovers have
kissed other acknowledgements
members whose only merit was their
scrawny individuality. So Mr.. Wales
departed.
Robtrtine on retiring was extremely
wakeful, and tossed about so violently
that her mother reminded her of the
style Of bed they occupied.
You are not crossing the channel, "
she said severely.
Mother, haven't you really thought
of marrying Mai. DrummOndy lie is
very devoted; he has a neat income. and
stands well in society. There is moth
ing common about him. You might be
perfectly happy
"Why do you want M to marry h,my'
"Well, | have led Wales TO under
stand that you ar thoroughly indcpen-
dent-in short, Il very desirable sort of
mother-in-law; that you have some in
surancr-moncy, and also an offer of
marriage. Mrs. Mai. Drummond' sounds
well, mother, and nobody need know
the acquaintance began through his adj
vcrtiscment for unfinished rOOms.n
I'm think about it, Robertine.'
Dick Ethel heard the news the next
day when he called, RoRertine being
absent.
II hope she may be happy" he said
quietly, and went away lie repeated
this in Il note to the girl herself, adding,
Forgive me if ever | have hurt your
feelings. We may never-meet again,
but | pray God TO bless you forever and
ever
She wept over his written words.
Forgive him! Dear old Dick, | was
not worthy of him. o dear, dear old
Dick!n
II shall accept Maj. Drummond,' -
said Mrs. Ferris at Last.
That's right, mother. Really | } know
no one | would rather you should marry.
AS for the govt, II only troubles him
occasionally, and badness has come to
be curahlc.'
II shall do said her mother sharply.
"PerhapS you will, too, If you maintain
your dignity and stop associating with
common trash like Dick Ethel"
Robertlne turned pale.
why do youneyer call Wilfred com
mon mOtherYn
"Why? Well-even if he deserved it,
which he DOESN'T wouldn't hurt your
feelings
MY feelings!"-with scornful vehe.
mence.
bah, Because he has plenty of money
and dresses well! Mother don't mention
Dick Ethel again, if you please! We
are none Of us tit to black his Shoes
Rubcrtine was married in late OctO,
Der, and wore the white satin and
orangc-blossOms over a heart that wal
growing gradually lighter. She alsC
developed more sense than sentiment
rs the days passed, which, though moi
~disPleasing to Mr.. Wales, surprised
him.
Dearest" he said one night early il
the honeymoon, you married me fOI
1--we 1i1n't yplD'