The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-02-24
HIS LITE LOVE.


diHOug tne lcHUets UTuncnts anu hDalnst
the window-panes.
A gentleman of about thirty stood by
the window. one arm resting on little
shelf, aud eyes bent on the girlish face
beside him. He was not handsome, yet
his was face one would look at with
as much or with more interest than II
the features were as perfect as Apollo's
own.
Tho eyes and mouth were full of pow
err, the former especially, wonderfully
expressive, and, as he spoke now, full
Of easy. quizzical regard.
"A'e you afraid OF me Miss MarionP
Do you think | shall prove a tyrannical
or lenient guardianP"
~ am not the least bit afraid of you,
sirl' the young lady called Marion an
swered, in q cold business-like voice,
looking him in the eye.
mot afraidp How strangel" he
said. the smile around his mouth deep
ening
"Do you generally inspire those who
meet you with awe. Mr.. Vannp"
81 am lawyer" he replied, "there-
fore blessed with second sight, of course.
Not only do we Judge by the outward
evidence of the thoughts in n clients
heart, but the inner working OF the vi
tai organ is an open book to us. Your
thoughts now"
He paused.
"WellP" she asked impatiently.
"Are not ilattering to me. You con-
slider me an unmitigated bore, very cold
and professional-not good-looking.
You long for the school left behind In
the South, where days like this were
unhoard of and where the college stu
dents dedicated ilowery sonnetsto your
beauty
The girl flushed and darted a quick,
angry glance at him from the dark eyes
under the little tissue veil strapped
across hernose.
You are pleased to be sarcastic"
she said, with n little sneer and shrug;
but of what matter is itP II 1t amuses
you, sir, it amuses me infinitely more.
am not afraid of your satire--neither
do like you!'
} rome Vann raised his brows in I'M
feigned surprise.
She was so petite, so childish in APP
pearance, despite her Is years, and the
open luminosity she expressed was so
novel. 1t was all efreshing. and he
watched her pmusedly MS she went to
distant corner and buried heraelf in
novel, TO the complete exclusion of h m
self.
All he could see beneath the book was
pair of extremely lovely red lips, and
those he wat he'd steadily, scar ely
aware OF il Five minutes passed. liz k
1,,,sl,s h.. Il
wait ng room, and II brown curl appear
ed above the rim OF the book, then one
curious and brightly angry eye. which
met his and disappeared like u flash.
Jerome laughed. lie knew that, by
that outburst of nirth. he totally lost
all vantage ground with her, but he
could not help it
Still smiling, lie walked slowly to her
side.
DO not ireeze met he said pathet-
-(csiiy, holding out his hand; I'VE nus,
be friends you know"
mot at all!'' she said coldly. 81 am
absolutely sure we shall never agree!
Better begin as we shall surely nd!'
you dislike mep'
II have said sol" she answered, turn
ing the leaf
"And why? Because have been un.
fortunate enough to have unwittingly
offended you?''
You have laughed at me. l do moi
know what name they give that in the
North; but, in Virginia, we should cal
that unmannerly."
III have been so, Miss Romero,
sinc erely beg your PARDON" Jerom,
said, stiflly, and retired to tie window
to whistle the Exile of Erin" in mos
dstracting discords, until the trail
pulled in.
Jerome sat by the library fire, ciga
between his lips, his hands claspcd idly
his eyes almost closed.
He was listening to story which in
terested him.
A younger man was also sitting b,
the fire, cane in his hand, and hi
CHI resting on the top of it. He wa
very handsome young fellow, and tn
freight playing on his head. turne'
his hair to gold. and made the intense
earnest blue eyes seem black.
IL have loved her from the begin
ming" he said, slowly. Through al
the past months have loved Mario
silently; now will tell her of it, wit
your permission, and learn my fate
Better ultimate rejection than this sus
pense.
Ned Burlington, you love m
wardPn jerome asked, calmly, and n
evidence that his heart was beating lik
a boys could be seen in his face. "Yo
love her truly, you sayp"
81 dol Upo my honor!' Ned r,
piled. THAT surely is not strang,
Could man, seeing her constantly, O
| have done, not lose his heart to hei ?
You know, of course, that she VIZ
left fortuneP" Jerome asked agar
in the same quiet way.
ii have heard so. Perhaps, indeed
it is the on Y thing to be regretted, {,
| love her, and have abundance (,
BOTH" Ned answer d regretfully.
Her guardian stood up, and his fac
was very pale.
at is no longer TO be regretted. Ma
ion has nothing! In the recent failul
she lost ii ALL"
"Allr' the young elbow echoed, an
there was silence.
marion is very proud" Jerome CO..
t'nued III she knew that she was n
absolutely in ependcnt of my boun
: she would not stay I'M hour longer b
ath this roof. But, poor child, d
need never know; at least, until aft
she has been married."
The deep, expressive voice ceas'
with a regretful ring, and then he co
, cluded, more cEcerfully.
: go, and wish you success in 20
| ,pnninari