San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-20

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he could speak cpllectedly, thou sh his hear
was wildly questioning whether the girls
emotion was due 10 deeper feeling than
her words expressed; she was 50 sensitive
to kindness, so qgick to feel gratitude, that
II would be easy for man who should Offer
some such attention as this TO imagine he
had made an impression on her affections
1t seemed to St John that after the excite
ment OF the present-giying had subsidized,
there was q certain cOnS,Taint about Mrs.
Vernon and the two elder girls. q certain
forced brightno even In bright lie r'SeaS,'
he lOnged to asa what the trOub e was, but
he must not even appear to notice that there
was anything wrong.
After breakfast Katie went ont to her
work, and the dav passed much as usual.
But shortly after dinner, while Hearts
ease was putting Dottie To bid, and Mrs.
Vernon was in her ROOM Jenny brought in
letter which she gave to ka.ie.
The girl turned very white, and instant
left the room, and little while later st.
John heard her call out 'IelrtSeaSe" in that
peculiar tone of voice that indicates peril or
alarm. A long time elapsed before anyone
returned to the drawing-gOOm, and then il
was Katie, with very pale tear-stained
face.
"Flossie," she said quietly, go to bed.
dear, 1t is late;" and she seated herself by
the fire, not ut'ering another word, until
Flossie had said goodnight and departed.
Then she turned to S John, who had risen
to open the door for FlO,se-he never failed
in such courteous attention even to mere
schoolgirl Flosse-and now stood by the
mantelpece.
II beg your pardon, Mr.. st. john" she
began, 1--WE have not done much to enter
tain you this evening, but you will forgive
us, think, when You know the reason"
Il hoped" he said gently, as she paused,
'that you allowed me the privileges of a
friend, and as such not exactng ceremony"
You are very kind to speak So" said
Katie, 1--WE do consider you a friend, but
one should not neglect friend. have an
explanation to make TO you, Mr.. St John"
she continued; mother would have made
1t, but for one thing, she is very unwell to-
night, and wish, d 10 spare her the pain. |
thought 1t best to speak at once; putting of
things only makes them worse, and besides
you would see something was wrong"
Il have SEEM" said s.. John, in that same
gentle sympathetic manner, that you have
all been anxious late'y and this evening
="
That letter." said Katie; ''yes, that was
the final blow that we have been draading.
1t Is just this way, Mr.. st. John. We had
some money, not great deal, In Spanish
bonds, enough to enable us to keep this
house on, and, with a few bOarders, make
both erds meet, as the saying Is, though it
was often tOu III struggle. Lately we have
been rather unfortunate; till you came, we
had had no bOarders for nearly six months.
Well, about fortnight ag0-rather more
we heard from our solicitor that the bonds
Were very shaky. dare say use wrong
terms, don't know much of commercial
affairs, but there was some HOPE of a change
for the better.
"Of course we We're all very anxious. To-
night letter came TO tell US that all was
lost, except about one hundred and fifty
pounds. So, of COURSE" said X ltie, with
that quietnes' tina; belongs to the absence of
all hope, I'VE are ruined. We must give up
this house at once, the landlord will take it
off our hands, and-and-we don't quite
know what We shall do next. But, you see,
there Is no help for it. 1t will be about a
fortnight, but some of the furniture will
have to be sold, SO it would be more CON-
Portable for you to leave at once"
Katie had spoken BRAY ly, though at the
end her voice went into deep sob: and st.
John had listened with his head leaning on
his hand, his hand yelling his eyes. When
Katie ceased he stood in the same attitude,
still silent, for some minutes. Then he said
slowly, speaking with an effort:
I'D you mean-fOrgive me the question
that you have to be .in the world again with
one hundred and fifty pOunds?"
Yes; | earn something, and Hpartsease
may make another try at teaching, though
it is not much good, she has no gift for it,
and she is tao handsome. She has been told
so polnt-blank many times"
Before ST. John could reply to this, the
door opened little and Heartsease's voice
said:
Katie can you come to mamma for few
minute 'T'
Katie rose up.
"Please excuse me-" she said to st. John,
and left the room.
81 will stay wi h ma nmi II art sease."
she sail. Run downstairs if YOU want to
be alone. S John is in the drawing-roOm."
And HeartSeaSe turned and went down to
the dining-roOm.