The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-04-01

Ntll 10 ntu.
CHATTER III.
Very promising. too, were the events
of the next day. felt that the man
hated was paving me attention above
my fellows. OF course, IL was not mark
ed enough to attract notice, but atten-
ton it was, undoubtedly. lie walked
with me, and told me, among other
things. u great deal about his early life
and struggles for success. lie was quite
interesting, so much SO. that | wished
could check these condolences. | feared
that his talk might awaken n suspicion
of sympathy in my mind, which would
grievously interfere with my vendetta.
That evening, he repeated his request
that ! would sing; but after the way in
which had mislcd him, knew he only
urged me for the sake of pOliteness. |
began with one of those little ballads
which he so much disliked; an easy,
simple little thing, which could only he
borne out of the commonplace by feel
ing on the part of the singer. | glanced
ut him rs finished the song. lie thank
cd me quietly, but | saw he looked puz-
Zlcd. Then placed l]eethoven's "Adel-
aide" before me, and sang it as | had
seldom or never before sang it-entirely
to my own satisfaction. | rose from
lilf IlNllOs anu uul fNtN lllfls llt hll
not Join in the chorus of thanks; but |
knew he was more than moved; and as
he followed me to my chair, | exulted,
as thought that the pet weapon in my
armOry had struck well home.
Miss Rivers" he said, 81 thought no
amateur in England could sing that
song to her own accompaniment as you
sing il. | can only congratulate you,
while blaming you for deceiving me so,
last night
thanked him for his compliments;
and for the rest of the evening Mr..
Hope talked little except to me.
There!-I will write no more about it.
Now, am utterly ashamed of it all.
Had it not been for my resolve to reject
it when offered, would have stopped
to win no mans love-noteven Vincent
| Hopes. But in five days | knew that
my work was done-and fully done-so
| fully, that dreaded the result of il and
began to wish had not been so vindic-
| tive. Worse than all, friends-as friends
! will-were exchanging knowing glances,
and commenting on the relations which
appeared to exist between my foe and
| myself
Could have conquered my nature,
| and decided to fOregO my revenge, II
was now impossible to do so. For my
own sake, matters must come to eli
max, that all might see how little
cared for the man.
One night, as | sat in my dressing
| gown over the fire, trying to make up
my mind to tear myself from the pleas
ant glow and get into bed, Mabel Light
on entered my room. She was good
| true girl, who spoke her mind freely,
and at times lectured even me.
Heritage" she said abruptly, what
do you mean to do with Vincent IIopeY"
could not for the life of me help
changing color, and was compelled to
shield the cheek nearest Mabel with the
fan which had been protecting my eyes
from the freight.
"Do with him! | don't know what
you mean"
"Yes, you do" retorted my mentor.
"IIad it been any zone but you, Heritage,
| should have called her firt. But
you are not a ilirt, we know"
| "What have done, Mabel?" / asked.
The screen was still between us.
Mabel quietly pushed it aside; then,
placing her hands on my shoulders,
scrutini2ed my face in most uncom-
Portable manner.
"You have done this, and who can
wonder at it, You have gained that
mans love entirely. But, although ii
seems so unlike you, believe you have
brought him to your feet for vanity's
sake. Heritage, he is good mana
proud man. If you mean to give him
nothing in return, | should say his life
will be wrecked. Do you love him, OF
are my fears well foundedp'
In some fashion, was bound to reply
sought refuge in levity.
"When | am moved to confess my
sins, Mabel, it will not be to you, but Ia
| Il. a.,
Don't talk nonsense. ] am in bitter
earnest. Vincent Hope will surely ask
you to be his wife. You are rich. and
he is comparatively poor; but | know
that will not influence you. Only | say
again, If you refuse. you are to blame
for all that happens"
This must DE stopped at any cost
Until now, | had always believed that
Mysteries and aileCtatlun We're synony
nous.
Mabel" said, "Ihate Vincent Hope
but at this moment think hate yoI
even more! Go to bed. | am too tiret
to say another word; so 90 away"
Therrw,il | got into bed. turned my
face TO the wall. and LETT Mabel TO pui
out my candle and get back to her owl
quarters when she thought fit.
was annoyed and ashamed. She Ia,
nearly accused me of what | had il
truth been guilty of-making love t,
my enemy. As people noticed my con
duct, II became more and more neces
sary that should clear myself from al
such imputations. This could be don
in one way only.
Perhaps had the grace to avoid Vim
cent Hope somewhat during the mex
two days. Perhaps that very avodanc
hastened the catastrophe. But on tn
third day, chance-pure chance. mind
left us together and alone. For a mo
ment there was silence between us; thcl
he drew near TO me, and said in a quie
earnest voice:
Heritage, love you, VIII you b
my wifeY"
/ could not answer. All | could d.
was to prevent myself breaking int
historical laughter.
lie tried to take my hand.
Heritage, my darling, think love
you the moment saw you. Look W
and answer me. Say you love me. am
will be my wifeY'
His wifel After hating him for s
long-after Mabel's reproaches-afte
winning his love in way the though
of which made me blushl Never, never
neverl
10 M C0HtiBued.l