The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-05-19

A moonlit night -nrd such a mooni IL
hung like u clear lnmp in the blue sky,
and the golden stars surrounded II as
cOurtiers do queen. The dinner was
over at Kings Cynr. Lady Fuync had
delighted every one with her magnificent
singing. Tempted by the lovely NOON
light, many OF the guests had gone out in
to the grounds. Lady Fnync was talking
scntimcntally to the young Duke; Captain
LOrmc would have fuin done the same
thing, but Lady Lilias would not listen.-
The moonlight lay like silver veil over
the fair earth, making the night almost Ms
bright ana clear ~ day; the water thrown
up from the fountains was like silver; and
the tall trees threw graceful shadows on
the grass.
During dinner there had been some con-
yersation about the pretty farmhouse, and
Vanc had listened with indispensable
pain. lie hated the false colors under
which lie appeared, yet hc could not
change matters now. lilo knew that Sir
Rayc would be greatly disploased II he
did so, as one of the conditions Of his adOp-
ton had been that lac should give up
home. Vane felt miscrably unhappy, and
wished he had never accepted Lord Charm
woods invitatiOn-but then he would not
have seen Lady Lilias, aud She was so kind
aud so gracious to him. llcawokc from his
reveric to fiud Lady liias was near him.
White lilies were in the dead gold Of her
hair and In her dress OF white silk with
rich trailing laucs, diamonds sparklcd on
her lovely nrns aud neck, and smile was
Oh her iaco-swcctcr, Nano thought, than
the face Oi woman ever wore before.
"What are you thinking about so deep
| Is, Mr.. Vibarly" she asked. al hayo been
| La fiN
look really Us though you would never
smile again"
As she spoke, she walked slowly from
the long French window on to the terrace,
aud he followed her. lie watched her as
she drew over her shoulders wrapper OF
white cashmere with golden fringe. There
IN the moonlight her beauty gained fresh
radiance, for the light fell fun upon her
charming face and golden hair. She seem
cd to expect that he would accompany
| her.
"Eyory one prefers the moonlight" she
| said. ave are not singular IN our taste"
| In u few minutes they had reached the
| gardens where the lilies stood Ia thick
| clusters aud the OdOrous roses filled the air
with perfume.
"YOu look like the queen Of the lilies"
said Nanc abruI tly; "and rs for me, Lady
Lilias, my reason Is going again, my
senses are leaving moW
There was no anger In the fair face.
"Remind me, will you, of my folly" no
| went Ou--''remind me that you are rs far
above me Us the stars. Send me away
with cold aud cruel ridiculc, send me from
| you with bitter words, for love you-oh,
Heaven, how love yUu--aud how utter
ly in yainp
But no rebuke was In the sweet proud
| lips, no sGurn was In the beautiful eyes.
| lie saw u warm trcmuluus flush which rose
even to the roots OF her hnir-hr sawa ten
der wiStlul smile in her eyes; aud he was
bowildered.
"Send me away, Lady Lilias, while l
have strength to 60" ne said. "Could
any man keep SANE while you smile so
kindly | love YOU. As / stand here
could worship ,uu! Tue Moonlight lies
on your guld,u niIr and hiesos your hcatI-
tiful tac'-ah, hapr! light! The sweet
| lhSht wind cLrcssv. you and stirs the
white lilies you wear, All, happy wind -
| For one tOuchui your white hands would
die II il WORST than madness, this out
pouring; send me away while have the
strength 10 go!"
But no words came from her lips, which
had grown strangely pale.
"You will never forgive me, Lady Lilias,
j cannot help it, | love you so well that.
standing here under the night skies,
swear to you that for one loving word from
your lips 1 would die would die" he
repeated; and his voice died away In u long
low sob.
Had he gone mad, or was he drcumingl
A white hand, on which rare gems shone
In the moonlight was laid upon his, aud a