San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-07

ended. they discover they both know
almost everything it is necessary to
know about each other.
CiSsy has had little ClaTet. has eaten
all the walnuts Mr.. Craven has broken
for her, and an unlimited supply Of
camdied fruit, when an OrInOlu clock
somewhere behind her tinkles softly
She starts little, and turning, sees it
on the chimney-piece, and that 1t Is
half-paSt eight.
so late." shemurmurs. "WhO could
have believed it,"
She chances at her host, her face full
of genuine surprise, and he feels in
ten~tly battered.
Il AN 50 glad you haven't felt bored ="
Poor man" says CiSsy. vaguely,
leaving it doubtful whether she intends
her sympathy for the Major or his
wearied friend.
Il have often wished | hadn't come
here at ALL continues Mr.. Craven; my
place i'll Kent IS SO much prettier and
far more comfortable; but was obliged
to do so. lie talked me into it. But
nOw"-Warmly-"I feel owe even the
Major della of gratitude as my com
ing has enabled me to beOf some slight
use tC v"ll.'
Even thaC miserable sOlacp is denied
YOU" returns Mss CISsy, with calm
smile, If you reflect that. even if you
had remained in Kent. Mrs. Richards
would still have taken me in. and been
very good to me"
True, reJOlnS her creSt-fallen host;
81 have not been of much service to
you. after all-havc ~
tiSSv is COnSrruCe-Strickem.
it would have puzzled him 10 give a
reason for his assertion.
~ on think she has not asks Cecil,
still dOuhttUlly, though longing to feel
as convinced on the subject as heap
parently-is. Some hope rrvives with
i'll her as she remembers that the Serv-
ants III her house are as ignorant OF
their way to the village as the servants
in this.
Il know it," returns Mr.. Craven. with
considerable force: she would. of
course. wait until the morning. Why.
it would be inhuman. actually unsafe,
think, TO send any one abroad on such
a night as this
And mamma is not inhuman" muir
murS Cecil. with slight smile, staring
thOughtfully into the glowing Goals be
meath her.
Over the ChimnCy-pieCe is a large
picture. finely painted. 1t represents
an elderly lady. with Il charming face.
with brown hair arranged in littleCurlS
on either cheek. a handsome bust. gen
erOusly displayed. waist well under
her arms. and Il small foot prOtruding
from beneath the satin gown that part
ly covers her. 1t is the foot that at
tracts Cecil 5 attention. 1t is very
small, and clad in black velvet. She
laughs.
Il hope YOU are not making merry
over my elderly relative" says Mr.CraY-
en-, severely.
Far be 1t from me; she is much too
intentionally dignitied to excite mirth
i'll any one. was only thinking OF that
old adage; 1t is ill waiting for dead
men shoes. and wondering whether ii
is as ill to wait for dead woman ),
because am sure | am ut this moment
wearing your" She hestates.
Great grandmOthcr?' he prompts.
Observation-Disclosures 5 slippers" con
cludeS CISsy. laughing again. and look
ing down at her velvet Shoe, the very
fac-simile OF that worn by the dead and
gone grandam.
what mNacu.nuSIy small feet my
great grandmother must have had.
says Mr.. Craven SOlcmnly. regarding
her foot with interest.
ON, no. These SHOES are quite loose
on me- she replies, lmocently.
Il can see that" he remarks. unwise-
ly. and regrets his speech second later,
when to his chagrin the pretty foot is
hastily withdrawn.
\ silence follows. and then Miss Riv-
eTs, as though the Thought has just OC
cW red to her, says gently
Il must now b.d YOU, goodnight, and
go to Mrs. Richards; she has promised
me tea at nme."
But it is not nearly that yet. 1t
wants quite quarter to it." protests
her host IN somewhat injured tone.
PRAY do not hurry yourself. DO you
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS that from the mo-
ment you JON Mrs. richards until you
elect to go to bed, She Will spend the
time telling YOU old tales about the
family. | know II. because have been
through II. And II IS no Joke. Every
story Is thirty minutes good. not Il sec
Ond less"
How NEE. | adore old stories" says
Miss Rivers. Swcetly.
You won adore hers: there's not a
bit of 90 in them, not murder, or a
ghost, or Il suicide, or anything anus
ing from start to finish. We are
Wretched lot. N0u know. when all is
tOld'-aludng alphabetically tohIS an
cestOrs. Don't let yourself i'll for it.
ii you love yourself"
You greatly relieve my mind" says
CiSSy. Il couldn't sleep in house
where ghost walked"
Couldn't you? | should find even
that poor excitement welcome. SO
dreary is my present existence. You
can't neutrality-suspicious. slow |
find it here, with no society. Your
coming tonight has been such relief.