San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-02

keeping an eye on the entrance to the Villa
but at length, growing tired of that, he
turned towards home. When crossing the
hill from which the Towers were visible. he
saw. some distance off, a glimmer Of a pale
yellow gown between the trees, which he
knew belonged to Miss Fox.
That she was talking TO some one he
saw, for he had very keen sight; but the
trunk of tree half hid the person from
him. He went straight towards them,
and presently met her returning alone
At the sight of him she blushed confused
ly and answered evasively when he asked
in what direction she had been.
Now the whole truth burst in upon him.
1t was Culverton she had been to meet
Culverton, who was engaged to his sister!
He seized his hat and rushed down to the
Villa, passing the servant who let him in,
and going straight to the drawing room.
Have you been to meet CulvertOn this
moIningi" he asked harshly. Answer
me at once"
"les," she returned steadily.
"Do you know that he is going to marry
my sister next weekr
lis he2" she said contemptuOusly.
did you not tell me yesterday that you
loved mer he cried passiOnately.
"Perhaps l did"
"Aud You do mott"
"Oh, like YOU she returned
sand you love CulvcIt0nf
"No'-with a low laugh Il don't think
do, But what is much more to the pur-
pose, Culvcrton loves me-"
Gloves you" he shouted stupidity.
ayes, my dear Jasper" she shouted tri-
umphantly. Il fancy, when your sisters
wedding-day comes, the gallant bride
groom will be missing, like the lady in
Jack o Hazeldeau'; only the case is rath-
er reversed, is it mott DO you want proof
of thisi Then bring your sister to the
Coppice at eleven tomorrow morning, and
you will find that Culverton has gone there
TO meet me-"
Jasper passed his hand over his eyes
in bewildered way, and Miss Fox con-
tinued pitilessly-
Il suppose. if she sees that, she will be
convinced of his love for me, and will
scarcely hold him to his engagement"
"By Heaven. l should think not~ he
burst out Indignantly. The Nugents
force themselves on no one"
After all, it is the kindest thing for
Dotl vi tHein' MISS rOA went vi calmly.
81 understood that his father made like
mistake"
HAS Culverton asked you to meet him
at the Coppice I" asked Jasper harshly.
There is the note" returned Miss Fox
quietly, pushing note that was lying on
the table before her towards him. at
came FIVE minutes before you did. This
morning he said he could not see me I'M
til the afternoon-apparently he has
changed his plans"
Taper took the note from the table; it
was addressed to "Miss Cave-Fox, the
Villa. Deane Ella"
With trembling fingers he took out the
enclosure and read the words which were
TO bring about the most terrible tragedy
that had ever happened in that English
Arcadia, Deane Ella"
"My precious darling" it began-"I
find, after all, my plans altered again.
Come and meet me at the COppice tO-mOr-
row morning at clcven-we shall not have
to meet each other many more times now
and l will be there without fail.
yours, for ever,
"BERTIE."
"Now." asked Hermione eYultingly.
~ will take her. As you say, the sight
will more than satisfy her that he must he
given up. We Nugcnts. Miss Fox, are
people of honor. We do not force men
into marrying our women; neither do
our women hunt men down. | have the
honor to wish you good morning and good
bye"
In his pain, he babe her adieu in the
solemn fashion with which he was accus-
toned to write such few official dispatches
as fall to the share of IL subaltcrn of Ora
goons.
my letter." cried the beautiful woman,
running after him in her fright.
Jasper however. thrust it resolutely in
TO his pocket.
81 intend to keep it." ne said sternly.-
mo; do not look so alarmed, Miss Fox
marriage with Lord CulvertOn. A mar
riage with you will bring about surer
punishment than anything that we could
do"
"Give it back to me!' she cried, trying
to detain him; but he shook her hand off
his own with a gesture Of absolute loath-
ing.
"Let me go out of this accursed house,
he exclaimed to a maid who had come in
to the hall-"it chokes me-"
He went back to the House, where
Dolly was all alone, for the Squire and the
Mistress had gone into York for the day,
and as yet the wedding guests had not
arrived.
He found his sister in the dining room !;
and, as he entered, she looked up with
smile.
IL thought something was the matter"
she said with an air of relief
Something is the matter" replied JAS
per. "Go away, James; wish to speak
to Miss Nugent."
"There has been no accident, sirf' asked
the man with trembling lips.
sOh, no--nothing Of the kind! 1t is
merely private affair of my own; moth
ing to trouble any Of you"
Jasper. what is it Z" asked Dolly as the
door closed behind the man.
Il am almost afraid to tell you"
"You must tell me. l am quite brave
it is Culverton, know! Is he dead :"
"Worse than dead-false," cried Jasper
passionately, putting his arms round her.
"Oh, my little darling sister, can you bear
itf Can you listen whilst tell you that
they have been fooling both Of usf"
"Then they are married y he said quite
calmly.
IL dare say they will marry now that
we have found them out" answered JAS
per gloomily
Then he recounted to her the events Of
the whole morning, ending by placing the
letter in her hands. He was touched tC
see her utter calmness-not tear dimmed
the lustre of the brilliant blue eyes, not q
trace Of nervousness was apparent in the
slim little hands which held the fatal note
only, as she refolded it and replaced il
in its cover, piteous little smile quivered
for an instant on her sweet lips, blanched
now to a deathly pallor.
"Just as he used to write TO me-" she