San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-12
A MAID FORtORk.
BY THE DUCHESS.

little and shakes her head rs though
TO rearrange the soft bright hair that
moment since brushed across his cheek
as be carried her. Then she leans
against the side OF the inner door and
sighs profoundly, as though thankful
the journey that has seemed so unkind-
" short and 50 cruelty sweet TO him is
at an end After which. with her most
matter-offact air, she says sedately--
Now 60 al once and change your
boots. IL will be quite As bad for you
to catch cold rs for me-"
"Not quite. You have a mother, a
sister. and"-w.tn "a slight contraction
Of the br0ws-"of course many others.
to whom your sickness would W. pam"
well, yesW returns CIssy, slowly.
But l. There Is no one IL the world
fbelieoe who would feel very much TO
gret if died"
oh, don't say that" she exclaims,
earnestly. 1t is not true"
rs it notr | know OF no one"
Il do" She coiors or mSon, stays a
moment, and then, as though compelled
TO finish her sentence, goes on calmly
Il know some one who would be Very
sbrry indeed"
do you mean yourstlf?" he asks,
quickly.
SS- DIG
because she can see No reason why she
should not do so. He has been very
kind TO her. Surely she would be I'M
grateful To feel no sorrow at his deathl
Then she smiles care .esSly, and says,
with the most unsympalhet air, so
now you are bound 20 60 and make
yourself comfortable. as II would be Ill
act OF unpardouabe rudeneSs on your
part to make me- very sorry indeed
Was not tuat what | saidY
She has moved into the second hall,
and is now standing With the full
glare OF the lampl ght. I.Ayen, VINO
has followed her, tul,Iks she IS the most
charming picture MS eyes hive ever
seen: and Il may be that his eyes tell
her 80.
Que moment he says. see ~ she is
about 10 Il SaNear. % s,llowed just
now thHt, Ii anyth ng We're 10 happen
TO yOI. your mother aTlI--Some oilers
would gr eve Tor you. Are tnere--uO
not III nj m rude: have 10 right to
ss& the question. hlrIn hut are there
many Giners!"
Yes, Il great niany," she responds
Prolnp,iy, suLoa surprise IN her tone and
in her large eyes, which size has opened
TO their fullest extent and his fixed up
IN MIN. Nv 40 you ARK:
There is safety in multitude"
forced smile. Is there 40 one in par
ticular?"
"Do you mean luver?" she asks,
slowly, l,iuSh ~ aga.i. soft sweet
blush, yeg evidently much amused.
aDear me, mol | have any number Of
friends. but not one lOEer-at present.
My last was a dear old hing OF about
sixty, excellen,b preserved; but he died
eight months ago. and ever since have
been the actual Mad forlorn.' Ronnie"
--regretfuiiy-"ha two lovers just now;
but have pone."
Mr.. Craven does moi appear to Symp;l-
thiM with her afil elton. On the con-
uary, be grows more cheerful with
every word she utterS. and at her last
positively bearIs.
And yOu-do You care for no One?"
he asks, forgetfu! OF everything but his
intense desire TO know.
Miss Rivers. who is still palpably
amused, til nks this question jas; "a 1t
tie too much, and telling herself it is
her turn now. determines to punish him
for il. So she hesitates. opens her lips
as though 10 SPEAK, checks herself sud
denly, looks down, turns ring round
and round upon her finger. and finally
says, very consciously
Il am afraid do"
This is crushing blow. All Craven's
content dies on the spot. He gloHers,
knlts his brow, and looks utterly mis-
cradle.
Somebody, then, is very fortunate"
he answers, rather unsteadily.
But there are two of them" eXpla' MS
Cissy, shaking her mead in perplexed
fashion, "and | can not quite decide
which love best
1Loyel" he echoes, in a desperate tone.
Yes; feel adore them" she con-
fesses, with unaffected and growing
ardor. $50 would you if YOU knew
them. l sometimes tell myself it is I'M
lucky to love them as l do, with all my
heart"
90 But you Gun not love two men equal
lyi" he.excla ms, aghast ut III = daring
declaration. at is impOssibiel"
Cissy, as though thoroughly confound-
ed BY his words, moves back step or
two, and raises one hand in bewIIder-
ment.
Two menl" she SAYS, diSdainfully.
@Of what are you thinklng3 Are you
50 behind the times as to imagine |
should do such r 60 hing Us to love
manY No, indeed: WIS but think
ing of--mamma and ROnne."
As Though aware of her victory. she
finishes thus saucy speech with merry
lauxh. aid ihoyes away rrUm hiae n.