The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-06-09

and. rs Bob concluded that his friend
was IN good hands. he refused to take
him to town until the next day. Ar
lington was again moved down into the
plrlor, where he had the enjoyment of
both father and daughter. His ankle
recovered quite rapidly The friend
ship between himself and Miss Ingram
quickly ripeucd. and the next day IL
was with much regret and many express
s,ous of gratitude that he left with Bob
for llayrc-dc-Gmcc. In about u week
his ankle was we'll. and he could once
more walk upon IL without pain.
After that his visits tO Mr. lngrams
increased In length az well Az frpuucn-
cy. one evening the subject of water
lilies was mentioned. and the discussion
about their beauty ended with an agree
mcnt between Miss Ingram and himself
To visit the place where they grew. The
very next morning, If clear, WAS select
eel us the time 4 peculiarly Of the
watcr.lily Is that IL oprls beautifully In
the morning. hut MS ~ midday hour
grows near II folds It's leaves together
and sleeps silently until the next morn
ings sun shall cause II To expand In all
the charm of it, fragrant brightness.
Like u rcclusc who performs his good
deeds I'm solitude. the watcr-lily gives
forth its sweetest perfume when the
world thinks least of its existence.
The next morning proved to he u
bright one. Arlington arose early, dis
posed of hurried lunch. and ut a sea-
sunahlc hour had rowcd to Mr. lngram's
landing. fastened the boat and pulled
the door bell of the cottage. To his sur
prise Miss Ingram opened the door. She
looked rs radiant rs u summer sky.
what? so soon, did not think you
gentlemen could be so prompt
"Oh. yes, We can sometimes. But |
am loo cailyy'
Not at all.
"rhcn I'll wait until you get ready"
ION no. I'll spare You that trouble.
I'm ready now
They walked To the landing and were
soon allont In their graceful little craft.
As they sat facing each other. he row
ing. she talking. hC could more than
ever realize the loypincsS of her face,
and the rudducss of her checks, into
which the rich blood would mount in
waves and surge over hcrncck aud fore
head. Conversation did not drag for
an instant Miss Ingram was always
interesting. Her Wit was as gentle as
an April showrr-as tranquil, rs refresh
ing.
80 You see that barrier of bushes, 4"
she said, extending into the river
thcrcy Iou must row around them,
and then the beauty of an inland lake
covered with the full-blown lilies will
be opened To you.
He followed her directions. and the
boat gradually urarcd the place. Just
as II approached the entrance. "A deli
cipus odOr was pcrccptible in the atmos-
phrrc. As they proceeded the perfume
grew somewhat stronger. hut il was
still fart aud ditluyyc. At last they
had rounded the barrier, and In AN in
slant the home of the WatcT-lily lag be-
fore their gazc In all the beauty Of its
morning GLmiou The expansc of wa
ter seemed paved with numbers of full
blown lilies. with their charms expand
ed rs If they were smiling greeting to
the morning sun. CALCULATIONS of de-
light followed each other in rapid sue
ccssion. Miss Ingram began plucking
the largest and freshest looking, while
Arlington directed the boat mt her bid
ding. She rolled up her sleeve and dis
played an arm from which Canova
might have modelled his Venus. A half
hour passed and the lunches of tro-
phics.linpd the bottom of the boat. Miss
Ingram talked glowingly of the sur
ruuudings, and Arlington listened rs If
every word was necessary to his exis-
tenCc. lie had loved her for weeks;
now that love was becoming unbeatable.
lie was full of it-so full, in fact, that
II was apt to pop out at any time.
Now, look around you she said;
doesn't II seem like a vcritablc fairy
landy You could imagine the lilies AS
the white thrones of lie fairy gueens:
and the small flowers there rs their at
tendant spirits. Could anything he
lOveiery
Yes" Arlington eagerly replied;
zone thing"
why, what is that" she asked, cui-
ously
Your ownsclf llctty, forgive me,
| but ! must speak out. ! love you de-
votcdly. WIN you he my wife,"
MIR. Arlington, ! was not prepared
for this surprise.
Then it is unpleasant to youy"
"1es-no; well, | can say that IL cX-
actly is"
Her hand was soon clasped in his.
She did not withdraw it. The story OF
| love was told ms il cannot be retold on
paper They rowed back to the cottage.
| Mr. Ingram, like good father, CON
| sentcd freely to the marriage. Arlington
| had fastened the boat mt the llavre-de-
| Grace wharf, and was walking the en-
| bankmcnt, when Il familiar voice stop
ped him.
Hello, Arlington" said Bob Marley.
| "Where'vc you been hiding YOURSELF
Been looking for you everywhere. Say,
| Old fellow, congratulate me-
| what forYn
Mabel Nottingham has promised to
| be my wife,
The deuce she has. But extend
| your best wishes
"Who tor
| "'TO your humble servant Misc In.