The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-06-16

but iheN were chiefly OF the cdrdlicTc
Sgrogt, type, and people did not dream
of talking any scandal about her. what
ever they might think. She had obtain
cd husbands for two ut her sisters. and
nov WAS bringing out the tnlrd.
Maud dc Lara WIS the most cnchant-
ing little creature. hut she was totally
unlike her sister and. therefore, that
lady took less interest In her than she
had done In the other two girls, who
were second and third editions Of her
self
These three were perfect DE Laras,
whereas Maud WAS like no one in par
ticular aud took after her mothers
family. which WAS not So distinguished
a one ~ her fathers.
You must not expect Maud Ia mar
~ Is the others have DONE Mrs. ROley
had said dccid 'dly to her mother: "she
is not So rood-lOoking, and has not the
same style"
Maudir is short. certainly, and IL
not $50 handsome as you are. ~ COURSE,
my dear: l1i she isn sweet-looking girl,
| think returned the mother.
"Oh Yes, SHE IS pretty enough, but
She must not hr too particular," and
Beatrice liolcy had dismissed the sub
jet
When the nominal master of the
house descended from rchabilitating
himself, most ui his guests had arrived.
one thing lee had done. however. To
punish his wife. lie was aware that
anything IN bad taste gave her mental
tout'Hchc: and he knew, too. that her
sense of good breeding would prevent
her making any remark before her visit
tors, however cross she might be-. On
the other hand. hc had no taste. and a
blending Of bright rulurs was pleasant
N.... s.lf L.. 4
the lawn among the merry assemblage,
his wife simply sluddcrtd as she be-
held the tie he had selected. but in
another moment she recovered herself,
and spoke to him.
Here YOU are mt last, George. Now
we had better start rs soon as possible.
I think every one Is here WHY. where
is MaudY Go In and look for her, please;
that sister Of mine is always late"
Then, at wave of her delcately-
gloved hand. they all throngcd on board
the swan. who carried her name visibly
upon her bows without words. therefore
part of the boat representing that grace
full bird with feathers both carved and
painted. When all the guests were
seated. Mr. Rulry and his sister-in-law
came hurrying over the lawn.
oh, dear, | am 50 sorry to he late,
hut ! lost myself IN most delightful
novel, and forgot ii was time to drcss!"
And sine turned Il pair of laughing blue
eyes upon them all.
Don't look severe. Beatrice, dear; |
Will never do IL again, II only you will
forgive me this once she pleaded,
planting a tiny foot upon the side of the
boat Now tell me where / am to sit,
and ! won't keep you "A moment wait
ing."
Wherever you can find room, Maud"
replied Mrs. Rolcy. Now, George, are
you ready
OF course he had to be. whether he
WAS or not: and in u few moments the
Swan. with its white wings lin the shape
of the awning spread, was making its
way against the stream of the river.
Maud de Lara had found "a seat, but
1t was not Il very lively one, being be-
tween a somewhat stiff matron and an
old maid who was not all sugar; but, rs
little Maud never could be stiff, she did
her best to get conversation out Of
them, to the amusement of those oppo-
site, and more especially to Mr.. Edwin
Dunstan, who thought her the prettiest,
most wlnsomc little fairy he ever saw
in his life; and seeing his intense gaze,
and the interest lc took In her sallies, a
mutual understanding seemed to arise
sought the dcep-sct gray ones of the
young man with shy consciousness, a
delicate blush stealing over the pretty
cheeks.
1t was . o'clock before the tow-horses
had pulled their freight to the arranged
spot, and the laughing party found
themselves on the greensward
whoever saw such lovely heldsr
cried Maud joyfully, standing on an
eminence and peering all round. "There
is "a field of golden hawkweed, and an
other of crimson trefOl and white
chamomile. and the dear old buttercups
are not out Of bloom yet, and look so
pretty mixed with the red sorrel. Oh,
do enjoy this.n And the little woman
clapped her hands with child-like pleas
ure.
Mrs, Roley, said Edwin Duistan, Il
think you said that mignOnnc little beau
~ is your sister. May | ask you to
kindly introduce meln
The other looked innoccntly around,
letting her dark eyes follow those of the
young man. YES, that is my sister
Maud; don't you know her? ! thought
you must have met at Ripplebank. of
course will introduce you. Maudie,
Mr. Dunstan desires To make your ac-
quaintance, II you will come down from
that tall mound
"Oh, won't he come up?n said the girl,
naively. 1T Is so delightful here. and
there is quite room for two ut the top
maud, when will you he convention
aly' said her sister, somewhat severely
But Edwin Dunstm had lost no time
in availing himself of her invitation.
and was already by her side. and an
swered the question To Maud instead of
that young lady replying to her sister,
before he had replaced his hat.
Never, hope, Miss de Lara, If /
may be permitted to say so upon so
short AN acquaintance; you are charm
ing as you are.
"Some people say they cannot bear
compliments. laughed Maud, but /
like them very much. One might as
well say one dislikes honbOns, and am
very fond of both. win you have some
chocolate creamsyn she added II have
Il boxful in my pocket"
perhaps we had better not eat any
before our luncheon he replied with a
smile. II think chocolate creams are
very nice, but they don't improve the
appetite; and there IL AN edge 10 mine
now; 50 ! shall do justice to your sisters
good things
Beatrice is a capital one for getting
up picnlcs, continued Maud; there is
always plenty 10 eat, and the champagne
is good"
The latter is | suppose, Mr., Roley's
department." suggested Mr.. Dunstan.
Not bit OF it; my sister manages
everything. You would not care to
drink wine of Georges choosing, can
assure you. lie does nothing; he only
pays for it,
Edwin Dunstan laughed heartily.
"Well, that is n considerable some
thing, Miss de Lara-yOu must confess