The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-02-14

D
coming tO-nightY'
Roland" repeated Grace in dismay.
es, ! wrote to invite him to dinner;
he says he cannot come till later in the
evening, but he will come"
Did he say nothing elsey" asked the
daughter hoarsely.
Yes; he did say something else. but
It's OF no consequence-at least, no con-
sequence TO YOU" and Mr.. Lilburne
turned away
Grace asked no more; she was Begin
hing TO feel like a creature at bay.
hunted on every side with no avenue of
escape open TO her.
Why did her father invite Roland
Ayre, and why, above all things, had
the invitation been accepted?
After q time, CONSERVATION gave place
to mirth, and she laughed bitterly as
she remarked to Victor:
Your cousin gives striking proof
Of masculine consistency. Last year
when he went away he said he would
never enter Silverton Castle again un-
less he brought Kate with him, or came
| to meet her
And how do you know that he won't
bring Kate with HING asked Miriam
Hindman boldly.
Grace looked at her for one moment
with scornful scowl then turned away
without deigning to utter one word OF
reply.
She noticed, however, that her father
was eager and nervous, and pleasurlbly
excited, and that he looked younger
and stronger than lie had done for some
months past.
surely papa does not think of mar
rying that horrid girl, Grace exclaim-
ed as she watched her father and Miri-
| TALKING tnVafhnp I'm al
and ailectionate manner.
II shouldn't think he'd have the
chance returned Victor; she's an
uncommonly nice girl
ION yes, know you think there is
nobody like her" sneered Grace.
AT any rate, | didn't invite her
here" retorted the young man an
yrily.
We'll, no, you couldn't very well, as
1t is my fathers house," she replied;
"but l wonder since you admire her so
much you don't marry her"
II am like your father in that re-
spect: / haven't the chance" he said
codly.
Then he crossed the room and Joined
the couple of whom they had been talk
ing.
Grace was very angry, but she did
not follow him, and soon after this the
first gong sounded-a hint that il was
time to dress for dinner.
Miriam IIindman. instead of going
upstairs like the other girls. sauntered
into little study she knew of, where
a bright fire burned in the polished
crate, and the lamp was turned low.
Despite her assumption of cheerful
ness and high spirits, her heart was
sad and heavy.
Victor Gayherd had been the one
love of her life. and though they had
parted in pique and anger more than II
| year ago, and just before her father
| had lost the greater part of his fortune.
she had always expected her trlant
| lover to return to her.
Bnt this hope had died out now, for
| he was pledged to become the husband
of another before twenty-four hours
had passed.
She had seated herself on Il hassock
before the fire, her hands clasping her
head, and her elbows resting on her
knees, and she was thinking sorrowful-
| " of the man she still loved so well.
He will have 4 very miserable life"
she unused, particularly so If Grace
does not get the large fortune she an
ticipates; and he will, no doubt, often
wish he had not taken me at my word
when | told him to 90 and find "A richer
wife. All mel people think me bright
and witty, the men admire me. and the
girls envy me, and yet am the most
miserable woman in this house to-
night!-yes, quite the most miserable"
Her meditations were here interrupt
ed by an arm being clasped round her
waist, and by some member of the OPP
posite sex very energetlcally kissing
her.
She looked up, struggled to her feet,
and recognizing her companion, she
exclaimed passlOnately:
Victor, how dare you insult me like
thisy'
toe, he pleaded with mock humility,
holding up spray of the white-berried
plant.
Under the mlstletoe.' she eXclaim-
ed with increasing anger. Il wonder
you are not ashamed 20 look me in the
face. wonder you dare TO come into
a room where am alone"
well, II ls risky thing TO do" he
replied recklesslyi but l wanted &c
speak to you, and | may not have an
other chance
That is highly probable, What have
you to say?'
II want to know why you can't
herey"
Il came because was invited wa
the naughty reply.
You had some other reason III
persisted.
Il had Two or three other reasons
sne replied WIN snort laugh
One OF lUeil was 70 make me lee
what iool ia peeh 70 tiilhk oi marry