San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-14
A MAID FORLORN.
BY THE DUCHESS.

on, my 'udlnJN-I,tl lily udGllllS!
he whispers quickly. The words come
from him almost Involuntary; almost
unconsciOusly too he takes her hand
and holds it closely. CisSy cOlOrs faint
", and then grows even paler Ihan she
was before.
"Why do you call me that?' she says.
"Why? You have no right tO-nO-"
He intel ruptS her by Il gesture, and
draws her even nearer to Ii III.
Give me the ght," he says eagerly.
"YOu knOw-yOu must know by this
time-that there is nothing in the world
| love 50 well as"
Major JervIs." announces a servant
at this supreme moment, throwing wide
the drawing-rOOm door.
With "a smOthared exclamation, GRAY
en- lets Cecil's hand DROP. and. turning
aside. steps through the open window
on to the small veranda outside. which
by stone steps leads to the ground. De
scending these, he goes quickly out of
SIGHT, but not before the Major has had
time to catch glimpse of his depart
ing cOat-tailS.
"Hum! hah!" says the Major. He has
hardly had time to return Cecil'S some
what cold greeting when Mrs. Rivers
and ROnnie enter the room. There are
signs of very distinct irritation about
the Major. He blows his nose some
what effuSively, and refuses to let his
eyes meet those of any one else present.
Il think saw Craven going out of that
window just as came in" he says, star
ing at Cecil.
"Yes." she returns. slowly: her mind
is still full of Duke. and she is wonder
ing what it was exactly that he was 60
,tnI INrf
troublesome Major.
"Ile Iii mt expect me down to-day"
the Major goes on. Thinks me safe
at home at this moment no doubt"
Again he looks at & SSy. as if expect
ing her to answer. He : in truth curl
Gus to know if Duke saw him coming
or heard him announced by the servant,
and, if so. whether he ran away to avoid
the bore of having to speak to him.
"IIe will he all the more delighted to
see you at the Curt. of course" says
Ronnie. iron. callv. surprises of that
sort are so pleasant"
Quite So" and the Major directs a
whitening glance at her. Fact is, /
hardly knew | was coming down my
self until this morning. But business
must be attended to, you know. Bust
ness for the fair sex especially-ha, ha!
I've come indeed to carry Craven back
to town with me. bring letter from
his cousin. Lady Maud ESterdale, de-
handing his Immediate attendance"
"WhO is this Cousin Lady Maud?"
asks Cecil, quickly.
"Oh, don't you know" inquiries the
Major. Its not quite settled, l be-
lieve: but"
What is not quite settledr' demands
Cecil again. She is quite calm but
deathly pale.
His marriage" says the Major, quiet
ly. 1t is true that he shifts little UNI
easily in his seat as he says this, and re-
fuses to lift his eyes from the carpet;
but nevertheless he says it.
A dead silence ensueS-a silence short
i'm reality, but of intOleTable length to
some in the room. Then Cecil laughs
quite a natural little laugh. too; so
natural, indeed, that both her mother
and RoEnie turn invOluntarily to look
at her.
"lle is rather scamp in some ways
continues the Major, III genial way.
Now if you asked him about this mar
riage, it is as likely as not he would
deny all knowledge of it. and declare he
was never further from matrimOny in
his life. But don't you be taken in by
way of flIrtationS; makes love all round,
you know, to every woman he meets,
and makes some of 'em believe him,
too. But he's not bad young fellow
at heart. No, no-far from that. But
this marriage now will be good thing
for both of them; she with title, he
with money"
"A charming arrangement indeed"
says Cecil, without so much as a culver
of her eyelids.
Well, it is rather premature yet to
speak about it." pursueS the Major.
Craven mightn't like it, you know; SO
don't mention my name III the matter
as having been the one to tell OF 1t.
You see, he is such great friend here
that dare say he will wish to be him
self the first to tell you of it."
"Of course he would like to tell us
himself" returns Cecil, smil ny calmly.
"As you say. he is a great fr.end of ours,
and he k.iJws We Will be glad TO hear of
anyth .ng likely to add to his happiness"
The Major watches her closely as sne
makes this set little speech, and she as
closely returns his fixed gaze. Then,
with somewhat troubled and baffled
expression on his face, he rises and DIS
them goodbye" for the present. When
the door has shut behind him, ROnnIe
turns vehemenlly to Cecil.
Il don't believe one word of it," she
says hastlly-"nOt one! lie looks as if
he were telling falsehOod."
Il saw no trace of falsehOod either in
his look or Tone" answers Cecil; in a
strange tone. ~and, as for the rest, be-
lieve every word he said"