San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-29

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that they are pulling their brains over il
now"
And what causes this unwOnted mCTri-
ment might aSkT' inquiries the professor,
who, with Helen's assistance, is trying to
| crochet.
II have good reasons. Chief among them
being that | am going TO a ball tomorrow
night and my never-failng instinct tells me
! | shall be the belle"
Conviction tells me you will not" says
! Dallas, throwing away his cigar.
who will then base sceptcp'
Your sister. She has much nicer man.
ners than you"
| Helen affects not to hear but blush be-
trays her Eleanor laughs. You can not
put me out to-day" she says. Try as you
will am all amiability."
They are sitting these four, out on the
broad porch. Helen and Parker very close
together with heads bent over a bit of white
yarn and an ivory needle. Eleanor swaying
backwards and forwards in low cane rock
er with TricO at her feet and BTdO at her
side.
Dallas Carew is sitting on the steps with
his hat pushed back and his eyes wandering
idly over the broad acre lands.
They are a very common quartette these
four handsome young people, two of whom
are so handsome as almost to make one for
get the good looks due to the Others.
II is the day before the ball, the ball to
which they have been one and all invited in
due form, and have answered or not an
swered as their idea of pOiteness may be.
There is one young fellow who is excluded
from this happy circle, young fellow whom
God has blessed with a comedy face and an
ardent hOysh heart. But since Dallas Ca
rew's return he has felt and known himself
to be, in spite of all Heen's gOOd-natured
efforts, the odd member OF this quartette So
on this bright evening when he would fain
be lying st his dear lady'S feet, he is engaged
in that most eXaSpcratng, patience-needing
paStime of angling. lie has not caught any
fish nor does he see any such prospect and
he is hot and worn and angry with himself
as he lies stretched upon the grass by the
river bank, staring modify up at the azure
sky. How laggingly the day before a ball
always crecpS how endless seem its allOt-
ted hours. Eleanor, Indifferent little soul
as she is, finds this day no exception.
Miss Eleanor" says Dallas, turning Ian
guidly around. chow many dances are you
going to give me tomorrow night? You see
| wish to take advantage of your unusual
amabiity while may"
II don't know" returns Miss Hathwell,
reflectiyely, pulling Tricos ears. "As many
as have to spare suppose"
won't you make engagements with me
nOwY' feeling very eagerly for a pencil as
he speaks.
Certainly not | never make engage
ments before hand"
"Why?" looking rather crestfallen and
ceasing to tumble after the desired lead.
''Oh, because don't | might get some one
liked better you know, and don't see the
use of going fOre-armed."
Dallas relapses into silence. But you'll
certainly give Inc two dances won't YOUR
he says after a pause. lyon don't know
how much I've heard of your dancing" lie
adds
"Have youP Yes do dance rather we'll
How do love it. would dance to Jews
harp if only had partner"
Come" cries Dallas, stretching out his
hand. The frogs will soon begin and |
can have a forctlstc of my pleasure Come"
you tempt me, she cries, smiling up at
him. "Helcn, do you remember how angry
you Were the day you found me out on the
pavement dancing with the milk-boy to a
hand-organ."
Dallas laughs uprOariOusly and Helen
iy. "MiIk-boyl What are you talking about,
Neny?'
GLOW long ago was it that you performed
that interesting feat|' questions Mr.. Carew.
''Oh, long time ago. | was little thing
then with yellow tails and much addicted to
red stockings and peppermint lOzenges,"
says Eleanor, smiling at the recollection.
"What a nice little infant you must have
l.. T,u Ii; 20 I, hop
engagement at this hour and must say good
bye"
He rises as he speaks and holds out his
hand to Helen. Then he comes to Eleanor.
do keep up your amability until tO-mOr-
row night" he whispers, bending over her.
II don't know about that" she answers,
shaking her blonde head. But shall keep
my second waltz for yOu-that is if you will
have it,"
81 promise to do better than the milk
boy" he whispers in reply, and then, bow
ing with that easy grace which sits so well
upon him, he leaves them.
And Nelly. tired of enacting gOOseberry,
calls her dOgs'and saunterS off to the river
and fate carries her straight to Joe Allen.
She is sOreIy veXed, when, on turning
bend, she finds herself before him.
Must be forever stumbling on some
one" she thinks angrily.
But he for hiIn-GnIi, warmth, and anger
have taken wings and fled. He starts eager
ly to his feet and holds out OBTAINING hand.
''DO not, oh, pray do not CO." he cries, for
Eleanor has turned as though to retrace her
steps.
At his words she stops half at loss what
to say. what happy fate brought you
here?" he goes on, wondering what he has
done that the gods should so bless him.
"Fm sure had no idea that you were here
or | would not have come" says Eleanor
with startling candor. She seats herself be-
side the stream and watches the dogs who
are plungng about in mad enjoyment of its
GOODNESS. She has ceased to fiirt with this
young man, but I'm afraid it's too late now
for the mischief is dOne-ay, mischief it
| surely is He looks rather crestfallen by her
words but does not attempt any reply as he
seats himself beside her.
"What have you been doing all dayr' he
| inquiries, throwing a stick for BiTdo to bring
out
Talking"
Dead silence for while. Then Allen
speaks. Miss Eleanor, you are very tact
| turn this evening""
II did not come out here to talk" said the
| girl, dabbling her pretty hand in the water.
Another pause. Trico has ceased to battle
and is lying wet and dripping at his mis-
tress' feet.
Miss Eleanor, would you be angry Tiff
! were to tell you something" says the
| young fellow, eagerly coming little nearer