The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-06-13


so soon hid farewell 10 existence.
II wish. Maitland. ! had come here
sooner he said one day. why didn't
you order me- here long ago."
1t wuuldut have done you any good
and thought you preferred England
SO do 10 live IN, but this IL the sort
~ place Ia tile in
Maitland made no attempt to turn
his thoughts, his patient always resent
ed II II lac did.
~ hope you are having u pleasant
time here rs well, continued Mr.
Fletcher. II don't want to monopolizc
you you know
Thanks; | think have shown you
can leave you alone occasionally"
II didn't know ynu had friends here.
Who are those people you were talking
To this morning M the gardrns;"
The krs.crtons. only know them
slightly
"ll.ml" couthrd Mr. Fletcher 81
should have Thought YOU knew one of
them rather well. Shes a pleasant
looking girl.
Maitland tried his hest To look uucnn-
corurl, and BATTERED himself he sue
crcdrd
son. ! know the one YOU mean" hc
said hut she isn't one Of the kcstcr-
tons; she's "A Miss Fletcher
"Samc name rs mincy Well, Flctch-
Crs are common enough
Yes. but not such Fletchcrs as She"
remarked Maitland.
The old gentleman did not reply. his
thoughts had evidently wandered back
tn old times. Maitland was careful not
10 disturb him: he had noticed lately
that hiS rcvCrics had become more fire.
qurut. and that they seemed Ia soften
the accrhity of his nature.
They were seated on the terrace,
where they often came to watch the
passcrs-hy; 1t seemed to please the In.
valid to see the gay life Of which he
could no longer be a partaker.
The Young doctor WAS still sitting al
irnuy, Mncn ne was interrupted WIN;
Bring her here; | want 10 speak 10
her.
He looked up and saw the young lady
of whom they had been speaking ap-
preaching them. liy her side ran a lit
tie girl I or ) years old
"Do you wish To know herr" asked
Maitland.
Yes; why should you be afraid of
meY I'm not likely Ia be II rival"
Maitland felt this was home thrust;
the old mans eyes were keen enough
yet. lie went forward to meet Miss
Fletcher closely watched by his pa
ticnt.
Amy hc said. II want TO Introduce
You to patlcutOf mine. Oddly enough,
lie has the same name as yours. You
will do him and me Il kindness If you
will talk Ia him few minutes
with pleasure replied Amy, add
ing, in "A half whisper: 80 1t is
Kindness to you for me TO talk to some
one else, is it,
"Sit down here, my dear, said the
! &. r,l
talk. Maitland, you take little Cissy
To see that wonderful cactus at the end
Of the terrace; | want TO talk to Miss
| Fletcher little
Maitland ohcyrd, glad tO find that he
| had interested his patient ina new di-
| reCtiOn. lie took little CiSsy's hand
| and marched her oil toward the cactus,
| though she seemed scarcely to like lrav-
| ing Miss Fletcher
She soon began talking about her,
| and found that her companion was an
| apprecative listener Not only that,
| but he asked questions about hcr-a
| most unjustiiiable proceeding, of course;
but he salved his conscience by arguing
| that nothing Clssy could say would alter
| his opinion of her gOyerncss, and II was
pleasure To hear her praises sounded
| by disinterested observer.
At the end of II quarter of an hour
| they returned tO the seat. Amy rose aS
they approached.
Maitland said Mr.. Fletcher, IL am
| going To stay out here for another hour
or So; you had better accompany this
young lady home. You viii find me
here when you return"
Maitland did not make any very
heightened protest.
"llOw do you like my old friendy' he
asked when they were out of hearing.
81 think he is delightful" was Amy's
reply,
"a sorts OF things. lie asked me a
lot of questions; how old was-that
was very rude, wasn't itY-and about
my father and mother, and how it was
| lived with the KestertOns.'
And what did you sayY'
81 told him that you could tell him
more about me than could myself. lie
seemed rather surprised. | should not
wonder If you came in for u cross-eX-
| animation this evening"
"Dld ne ASK you 10 come ana TAX 10
him againH'
yes. Whyyn
81 suppose because he liked your so
ciety,' replied Maitland, wilfully mis-
Interpreting her question. BE sure
you come 10 the terrace ut the same time
tomorrow"
Yes, | will make point of it, so you
can consider yourself relieved
II may he relieved, but don't intend
to be dismissed again replied Matt
land with laugh II suppose | have
no excuse good enough for coming IMP
he added as they reached the door OF
the villa hired by the KestertOns.
81 must leave you Ia settle that qucs.
ton"
II have no excuse at all, but I'm com
ing in the same, if you will let me-
1T isn't my house, - replied Amy.
That is very ungracious invita-
ton said Maitland as he accompanied
her into the hall.
When Maitland, half an hour later
returned 10 his patient, he found hin
talking with n man who was sitting
next him. ale is making acquaintance
to-day thought the young doctor, A,
he approached, however, he saw tha
the supposed stranger was Mr. Flrtch
ers nephew, Fred Dexter
"Ah, Maitland!' was his greeting
here am, you see"
Yes put In the old gentleman, OF
whose nature his nephew always acteI
NJ an irritant; "'where the carcass is
you know, Maitland
"Oh, come, uncle. you're not a carcass
yeti protested Dexter. you nigh
have blamed me with more reason if L,
waited till you were one before | cam,
to see you.n
"lle seems to be under the impression
that | shall be able to blame him afte
Pm dead remarked MI Fletcher saI