San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-22

abandoned the scheme. "WellV
Put in plenty Of pickle, Helen. I'm fond
Of II, you know"
And Mrs. Rodney much relieved, goes
jOyfully to obey. So they wander away
into the beautiful country, only those two
and Helen, and the birds sing and the butter
flies fly happily about, and all the world is
beautiful They climb alarmingly high
fences and get safely over into the daisy
sprinklcd field, then wander over 1t till
some shady hooks among certain tall hay
stacks invite rCroSc.
Eleanor throws herself down and leans
her head against the hay in lazy abandon,
gazing up at the blue sky, while Helen ar
ranges baskets and shawls, and Daisy skips
from one to the other in delight Then Mrs.
Rodney produces the sketch books and offers
one to her sister, who shakes her head i'm
patiently.
"How can you draw, Helen? Its far too
lovely day to waste that way. Just look
at the sky and listen to the birds, that Is
enough"
But Helen goes on trying to sketch the far
off landscape, but not succeeding very well,
finally gives il up and falls TO making daisy
chains with her little daughter Eleanor
has taken off her hat and her golden hair
falls in little negligent curls about her she'll
like ears. Daisy, in a fit of admiration,
places her wreath of daisies as a crown for
her aunt's sunny hair, and festOOns similar
garland over her white gown.
"Oh, Nell you do look so beautiful cries
Helen in ccstacy. 81 never saw anything so
becoming as those flowers. Stay a moment
must sketch you. There, sit just as you
are; your attitude could not be improved
upon"
Eleanor does as she Is bid and Helen be-
gins. Daisy has wandered away and they
are quite alone. She does look very beauti-
full, and is fully conscious of it. Two young
men who get over the fence just a little be-
hind the stacks catch glimpse of the white
dresses and turn to investigate. They are in
hunting costume, but apparently the birds
have not been very accommodating.
who are theyp' whispered one, (hand-
some Dallas Carew, III fact, to his cOmpan-
ion, the Professor. Field fairies, do you
suppOsep'
II thought you were going to say field
mice" says the other, with a laugh, but I'll
bet you ten to one Carew, that its Mrs. Rod
ney and her sister. Let's 90 over"
"See what they are doing first" replies
Dallas. I'D like to catch glimpse of the
lovely Eleanor when she didn't suspect it."
So they make their way stealthily across
the field, and behind the shelter of the hay
stacks take long survey; see her sitting
there daisy-crOwned and beautiful. She is
not dreaming that they are anywhere near
her. She is gazing out into space with a far
away look upon her face, and Helen bending
eagerly over her work charmed with her sue
cess is perfectly unconscious Of the prolonged
stare with which Parker hOnOrs her. But
Dallas can not take his eyes from Eleanor.
Her beauty startles him, and he involuntar-
lily contrasts her with Rose. Poor little Rose
Darrell. Compare her to this girl! pshaw it
was comparing a rush candle to wax light.
'Ah, Nell, I've got your nose right this
time" exclams Helen with little sigh of
mingled relief and admiration, and her words
recalling Eleanor from dreamland, she turns
her head and sees the two young men stand
ing there. She bushes scarlet with shame
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. at being found
dressed up like doll, as she thinks to her
self. She starts to her feet At the same
moment Helen looks up and sees them.
''Why, PrOfessorp she exclaims, with
cOquettish toss of the head What do you
mean by stealing upon us this way; it's
naughty of you. And there's Mr.. Carew,
too! How are your
Aren't you going to speak to me, Miss
EleanOrW whispers Dallas bending over
her. She does not heed him, but turning to
her sister, who is just on the point of show
ing her sketch to the Professor, says authori-
tatively: Give me that Helen"
"Ah! Carew, you're to have first peep,
lucky dog that you are. Miss Nelly, you
should not be so partial"
81 have no idea of showing Mr.. Carew this
foolish picture" Eleanor says coldIy, and
taking the drawing she tears 1t deliberately
in two, saying: 81 don't wish you to see any
more than you have of this absurd, ridicu-
lOus scene" Then, remembering the daisy
wreath, bushes crimson as she takes them
from her hair.
Helen breaks into loud circumstances at
the loss of the sketch, while Parker backs
her up with son, come now, Miss Hathwell,
that's too bad-not fair play, you know"
Dallas comes step closer, saying in low
voice:
"You looked a great deal prettier with the
daisies on, Miss Eleanor"
81 looked absurd, dressed up like "a May
queen" she winds up, rather at a loss for a
simile.
Are you angry with me?' he says softly.
~ don't think you two behaved very hon
Orably, coming up behind us that way" she
replies, feeling that she would like to be
much angrier than she really is.
Before he can answer Helen interrupts.
THE Professor is trying to prevail on me
to let him stay and join our picnic. Shall |
consent, Nelly?'
"Oh, please do, Miss Nelly" exclams Par
ker turning with most imploring gesture
to the girl. 'Please do; we've been hunt
ing all day, and haven't had thing since
five o'clock this morning. All, Carew, see
you have made up your mind to stay"
"Yes," says Dallas lazily. He has thrown
himself down on the grass, and is idly pull
ing the unfortunate daisy wreaths to pieces.
Eyes, throw myself on your mercy, ladies'"
"But IL you have been hunting all the
morning where is your gamer questions
Eleanor, reseatlng herself, having found
there is no use being angry with Dallas.
"Game! gamer echoes Mr.. Carew, look
ing puzzled. "Ah, yes, now | understand.
Ran, Miss Hathwell wants to see our game.
so please produce it."
with the greatest pleasure, Miss Nelly.
Pm glad you show such interest in the chase,
and hasten to lay the spells at your feet"
and diving into the rrccsses Of his shooting
coat he produces what on close investigation
proves to be the corpse Of bedraggled spar
row.
This noble fowl is the only contribution l
have to offer to the feast, but l hope 1t will
be most thankfully received" and Ran lays
the victim down with tender sigh.
Poor, innocent little sparrow" says
Eleanor, lifting it gently, poor little crea-
'ure."