The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-02-23

SistaDce.
But her father and friends noticed
that Kate showed no sympathy for her
sister, neither did she offer In any way
TO help her.
This was very unlike the Kate of
former days.
Then she had been the first to hasten
TO the side of the suffering and ~ try
to assuage their pain.
But now she only looked after her
sister with an expression on her face of
wondering pity not unmixed with aver
sion, and she neither tried to caress nor
to receive her.
The curiosity Of the guests. however.
was not to be restrained. and 80 many
questions poured M upon our heroine
that she ut length briefly told her
friends that in finding a hidingplace
the previous Christmas, she had fallen
down trap-door in the disused tower,
and would have remained there, and
persisted, IL her foster-brother had not
rescued her.
And then Roland told the rest of the
story, even down TO the present day.
There is something she has not told
u.s." said Miriam IIindman to Victor
GQyherd; "she has not told us what
hand Grace had in her disappearance.
Depend upon 1t, we have only heard
half the story"
Miriam's curiosity was not satisfied,
however; only Mr.. Lilburne was ever
told how Grace had consigned her sis
ter to what she believed would be her
tomb.
by this time a servant came to say
that Miss Grace was conscious, but
would not leave her room again that
night, though she requested her guests
would not let her absence interfere with
their amusement.
They took her at her word; the dane
ing to commenced, and no one seemed
TO miss the girl who had been hostess
until now, and who tomorrow was TO
be a bride.
In view of the ceremony of the NOR
row, the party broke up soon after the
arrival of Mr.. and Mrs. Roland Ayre.
Those guests who were not staying in
the house took their leave, and those
who were went off to their own rooms.
Victor Gayherd alone fingered. Ro-
land was his cousin, and he tried to find
out from him the motive which had
made him keep even her father in ignor-
ance of her existence for so long time.
II cannot tell you why, but we had a
very good reason" was the evasive re-
ply TN. ,..,,
was the next question.
"Grace did not know that her sister
was alive any more than you did"
probably not; she assured me she
was dead; but that is no answer to my
question. Did Grace know that her
sister had fallen through this trap
door,"
II cannot tell you'll can tell you
nothing"
81 think it very unfair of you not to
tell me; do you know | am expected to
marry the girl Tomorrow"
II would rather you than l; but ques-
ton her yoerself If you have any
doubt"
"Oh, know what her answer will
be; she is not too careful of the truth,
and though she is not the great heiress
shewas supposed to be, still, as | have
gone so far, | wouldn't draw back now
II 1 were convinced that she was inno-
cent of all guilty knowledge of what
had befallen her sister,
Roland made no reply.
lie felt sorry for his kinsman, but he
had promised Kate not to expose her
sister, and he felt that he must keep
his word to his wife whatever happen
ed to his cousin.
"I'll ask Mrs. Ayre herself, y exclaim-
ed Victor passionately.
"You will do nothing of the kind, my
dear fellow" said Roland firmly; my
wife has had quite enough to go through
without being cross-questioned about
her sister.
Use your own Judgment in the mat
ter. III | loved woman L should
want nobody else to tell me whether to
believe in her or mott
And what if you didn't love herg"
asked Victor grimly.
Roland shrugged his shoulders, then
he held out his hand, and said:
Goodnight"
Though he did not say so, he knew
| quite well what his Cousins decision
would be.
When he Joined his wife and her
father in the study of the latter, Kate
asked nervously:
"You have not said anything against
Grace to Victor, have you, Rolandpn
| Certainly not, was the reply; but
he is suspicious, and has beenquestion-
ing me-
take place Tomorrow" said Mr.. Lii
burne decidedly. "Grace is unfit to be
the wife of any honorable man."
II think she must have been mad
that night Kate said gently;"I have
often thought so since.n
'She was thoroughly bad" returned
her father gloomily; "she is only toe
like her mother
Soon after this they retired to rest
Mr.. Lilburne grateful and satisfied al
the recovery of his bestowed daughter
and she happy beyond the power OF
words to tell in the blissful possession
of her husbands love, and her restora'
ton to her father.
The only cloud that cast shadow
upon the perfect contentment of botf
was the treachery of Grace, and thu
question as to what would become o.
her.
When the cold grey morning dawnet
the snow rustled at the windows as
had done year ago when the eldes
daughter of the Lilburnes was lost an,
could not be found
Grace sat up in bed, and wondered |
the past year had been dream; but tn
sight of her wedding-dress spread GU
on couch at the further end Of tn
room convinced her of the reality of al
that had passed.
But she would not or could not think
neither would she allow herself to real
Use the possibility that Kate's retur
would in any way interfere with he
own marriage.
She meant to carry everything with
high hand, to deny any charge mad
against her, and to defy her sister an
her sisters husband to prove anythin
against her.
In this frame of mind she rang 70
her morning cup of tea, and the mai
brought the tray, on which, besides tn
tea and toast, there was CAREFUL
sealed note.
For a second or two she did not brea