San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-12-18

come between heT anu nef uAnusOile
young lOver-for Robert Fame was the
one whom Madge hal confessed to loving,
and bis had been the only voice which
had ever whispered to Claire Of love-
And. ali, what a pang it gave her now to
think that Madge had taken a fancy to
the same one. whose faithlessness had
nearly broken her own heart. She
schOOlsd herself TO answer calmly, but
with an intense eaInestness that startled
Madge:
"Do not think Of that man, little sisterl
He il not one who would make you happy.
He is false and fckle."
prove it." said Madge impulsively.
AT YOU cannot, / will not believe it,"
Claire grew very pale. She hesitated.
Then, with a determination TO uproot all
fancy for Robert Fame from her sisters
heart, she commenced the story Of her
own past:
"Ten years ago I was just the age that
you are now, Madge. / was as light
hearted and as merry girl rs ever sang
about the house while performing her
ht WIDTH was dll suuSlllt
to me, and it did not seem as though
shadow could come across my path. But
one did come In the guise Of what seemed
at first q great happiness, almost too
great for mortal to experience and ever
be willing to exchange earth for heaven.
You think, little sister, have been al
ways the quiet, staid creature am now.
But am as changed since the time Of
which am about to speak as yon sky is
from the glowing tints which colored it at
sunset. Robert and l were engaged to
be married, when one day received a
short cold note from him saying that all
was at an end between us. The next day
heard that he had sailed for Europe
Do you wonder that the light went out
from my life, and that all seemed like q
blank for timef Then our mother died,
and in my grief at her loss, and in my
endeavor to make up her place to you,
gradually found forgetfulness OF my pain"
"Did he give no reason for acting sof"
asked Madge, with . ring Of indignation
In her clear young voice.
"Nothing definite. He limited at some
discovery he had made; but as l had not
the slightest clue as to what he meant, l
was none the wiser"
"There must have been some treachery
at work, or he would never have done
such a. thing. I am sure OF it," exclaimed
Madge, land I am surprised at your re-
manning so quiescent about it. II I had
been you would have demanded an ex-
PLANTATION"
with the ocean rolling between usi"
asked Claire. THAT would not have been
possible; for how could I have known
where to directf"
"where there's a will there's . way"
was the decided answer. "But you were
too proud to do such thing. I know
you, sister mine; and one would little
think how much pride is hidden beneath
that quiet exterior of yours"
Claire smiled family, but she made no
denial. She knew we'll that she would
have died rather than show her suffering.
"But," and Madge looked puzzled, as .
thought struck her. mr.. Fame must have
been very young when this occurred
Oh, Claire, see it ALL You think l mean
that quiet, dark, elderly man-Robert's
uncle. Why, sister, can it be that he ever
had romance connected with himT
To Claire, the elder Robert Fame was
still the one Of all others in the whole
world most fitted to win a maiden's heart,
and as his young nephew had hardly at
tracted passing thought from her, it
was not to be wondered ut that she had
made the mistake. But, to one Of her
reticent nature, it was sore trial to
think that she had revealed her hearts
bitter secret needlessly. To save Madge
one pang she would have made any sac
rifce; but-here her meditations were
put to fight by the clasp of clinging arms
and the pressure Of tender kisses.
sClaire, darling, know what you are
thinking Of, but don't mind having told
me. I'll love you all the more dearly
for 1t, and III never, never tell"
And Claire, after a time, felt happier for
knowing that she had confdante and
sympathizer in her young sister.
Madge kept her word. Neither by
word nor look did she ever refer to what
had passed between them until-but we
must not anticipate.
One dark, stormy, night, when the ele-
ments seemed warning with one another
as to whether wind or water should do
the most damage to the earth. ring came
at the door Of the Cedars at an hour well
on to midnight.
Claire had been trying to finish deli
cate piece Of embroidery as O present for
Madge on the anniversary Of her birth,
which came on the following day; so she
was still in the sitting room. The ser
wants were probably fast asleep, and for
an instant Claire hesitated as to whether
to call one Of them, or to answer the ring
herself at such an unusual hour.
But she conquered the momentary
timidity and lifted the heavy bolts from
their place in the massive doorway. and
in another instant stood framed in like q
picture with a background Of light which
left her face in comparative shadow,
which was well for her presence Of mind,
for che stood face to face with Robert
Fame!
A cold hand seemed grasping her heart
with it's icy fingers, and she felt herself
grow faint, but with superhuman effort
she regained command Of her senses, and
said. putting out her hand:
allow do you do, Roberti Is anything
wrong at the Hallf"
Something that has been wrong is to
be righted," he said. There was trem-
bic in his deep voice as he spoke.
"a woman is dying" he said. land she
calls for you in such piteous tones that I
could not refuse to come for you. 1t is