The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-02-21


leave you and her father 10 judge.
did what believed to be the best.n
II am sure you did; and now tell me
what happened
Fairfield complied. lie made no at
tempt TO shield himself, or In any way
to hide the hopeless love that on Christ
mas night seemed to gain the mastery
over him.
II had no intention Of speaking to
Miss Kate" he said humbly. II should
have turned away in silence II had
met her face TO face. but j wanted TO
look at her. and after | had been wan
dering round the castle in the cold for
hours, an impulse that could not con-
quer or control drove me to go TO the old
tower and get into the building by the
secret entrance | had used when
boy"
Roland did not interrupt him as he
listened with breathless attention while
Fairfield described how he wrapped
Kate in his ulster, carried her to the
river. placed her in boat, and brought
her through the darkness and the thick
ly-falling snow all those weary miles to
his mothers house.
Vividly ms though he had been with
him, Roland seemed to see the scene,
and he said frankly when Fairfield
DduNtu III HIS
IF had been you | believe | should
have acted as you did, and think now
that IL was the wisest course to take.
If Grace really tried to kill her sister,
she would have found some means to
accomplish her end eventually, and in
poor Rates condition she could neither
protect herself nor expose the traitress."
THAT was my feeling with regard to
the person, whoever he or she might be,
who had been guilty of such piece of
cruelty and treachery," responded
Frank.
II knew that Miss Kate must be seri-
ously injured" ho went on, flor such q
fall was enough to kill her; but did
not for moment anticipate that rea-
son would 50 completely and perma-
nently desert her as II has done"
The depressing silence that ensued
was broken by Mrs. Fairfield, who ex-
pressed her opinion that Mr.. Lilburne
ought to be acquainted with his daugh-
ter's condition, and his consent obtain
ed to any operation that might endanger
her life.
But Roland said positively:
mo; Mr.. Lilburne has suffered
enough, and the shock of knowing
Rates condition, coupled with the fact
that in all probability Grace is the
cause of it, might have fatal effect
upon him. She is supposed by many
to be dead already, but this is not the
opinion of her father, for heard yes
terday from a mutual friend that Grace
is very indignant with him because he
will not allow her to put on mourning
for her sister, neither will he sanction
the assumption that his eldest daughter
is dead"
Then what do you proposep" asked
Mrs. Fairfield with sigh of resigna-
ton. miss Kate is known here as my
daughter; do you wish her to stay here
II wish her to remain with you until
she regains her reasOn-if she ever does
but where you and she go will OF
course depend upon the doctors. | am
acting within my right in making these
arrangements, for Mr.. Lilburne gave me
permission to marry his daughter when
ever found her.
And YOU will marry her If her mind
comes back to herp'
without doubt; and Heaven grant
that day may not be far distant"
Before Roland Ayre returnedto town
he went into the room where Kate was
still seated watching the fire, but SHIT
took no notice of him, and when ht
clasped her hand and tried to attract
her attention, she shrank from him
and her indifference seemed TO chang,
to dislike.
"She doesn't know you,n said Mrs
Fairfield, seeing the panied expression
of his face. But do so dread an opera
ton, feel sure it will kill her."
II do not share your forebodings
what is your sons opinion?'
"Oh, he is like most of the younI
men of the time, full Of new-fangle,
notions" was the impatient answer.
II also am young man, Mrs. Fair
field, and agree with your son that tn
attempt ought to he made"
CHAPTER X.
LOVERS REWARD.
Some time had elapsed before Ro
land Ayre could engage the services q
very celebrated doctor, who had al
ready performed several successful OF
erations of kind similar to that whic
alone could restore Kate Lilburne's res
son.
The injury which had reduced Kat
Iilburne TO condition little bette
than that of idiocy was, as we know
caused by her fall, the skull being fac
ured.
A piece of the skull was pressing NJ
on the brain, and only by relieving thi
pressure could the organ of reason 1
made more capable of acting in ma
ural manner.
The danger was very great, an
Mrs. Fairfield over and over again ei
treated that Mrs. Lilburne should |
consulted before such terrible ris
was incurred.
But Roland's argument was that
do as the nurse wished wouldbe to gil
him unnecessary anxiety and pain witt
out doing his daughter one particle I
good, while the accounts which he II
directly obtained from Silverton Cast
, described Mr.. Lilburne as general
uncheerful and resigned, thong
sometimes sad and anxious at the ce
tainty of his daughters fate.
Her father would not hesitate for
: moment,n he said confidently; land
wish to spare him the terrible DIRE;
of failure that haunts me day al
t night"
} as Roland, Mrs. Fairfield was oblig
1 and against her judgment.
> The news of Grace Lilburne's co
J templated marriage with Victor Ga
/, herd did more to reconcile the nurse
: Roland's views than anything else, a.
n even when she heard that the weddll
Q was not to take place until after Chri
+ mas Day, her feelings on the subjt
0 underwent no change.
q From this time she quite fell in wi
Mr.. Ayre's plans, and lent him
a hearty cooperation.
n So the day was fixed upon when X
IS Lilburne was TO be restored to reas
1t health, and happiness, or was to dep
without further delay to that land