San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-09-17


Phyllis" ETC., etc.
Christian name, a thing she mas never
done before, because she knows il will
give Sir Adrian the impression that
they are on very intimate terms with
his cousin. lie has been our shadow
ever since. / wonder you did not notice
his devotion in town"
IL noticed nothing" says Sir Adrian,
miserably; "Or, if did, it was only TO
form wrong impressions. | firmly be-
lieve, seeing Miss Delmaine and Ar
thur together here, that she betrayed
nothing but rooted dislike to him"
They had not been good friends of
late" explains Dora hastily; that we
all could see. And Florence is very
peculiar, you know; she is quite the
dearest GID in the world, and j adore
her; but | will confess to yOu"-with
another upward and bewitching glance
from the charming blue eyes-"that she
has her little tempers. Not very naugh-
ty ones, you Notwithstanding her head
archly-"but just enough to make one
bit afraid of her at times; so never
ventured to ask her why she treated
poor Arthur, who really is her slave, so
cruelty"
"And you think now that" Sir Adj
VII NlIllOul luc
sentence.
That she has forgiven him whatever
offense he committed? Yes, after what
we have just seen-quite sentimental
little episode, was it nOt?-I can not
help cherishing the hope that all Is
again right between them. 1t could
not have been very grave quarrel, as
Arthur Is incapable of rudeneSs; but
then dearest Florence is so capriciousp
"Ul-tempered and capriciOus" Can
the girl he loves so ardently be guilty
of these faults? 1t seems incredible to
Sir Adrian, as he remembers her sunny
smile and gentle manner. But then, is
1t not her dearest friend who is speak
ing of er-tender-hearted little Dora
Talbot, who seems to think well of
every one, and who murmurs such
pretty speeches even about Arthur,
who, if the truth be told, is not exactly
dear" i'll the sight of Sir Adrian.
You think there is, or was, an en-
gagement between Arthur and Miss
DelmaineY7 he begins, with his eyes
fixed upon the ground.
says the widow playfully, until | am
told it. But | am glad Florence is
once more friendly with poor Arthur;
he is positively wrapped up in her.
Now, has that interesting tdbledu we so
nearly interrupted given you a distaste
for all other piCturesS Shall we try the
smaller galleryY
Just as you will"
"Of cOurse"-with a girlish laugh-"it
would be imprudent to venture again
into the one we have just quilted. BY
this time, doubtless, they are quite re-
cOnciled-
"Yes-yes," interrupts Sir Adrian
hastily, trying in vain to blot out the
picture she has raised before his eyes
of Florence in her lovers arms. What
you have Just told me hes quite taken
me by SURPRISE" he goes on nervOuSly.
II should never have guessed it from
Miss Delmaine's manner; it quite mis-
led me-"
well, between you and me-" says
Dora, raising herself on tiptOe. as
though to whisper in his ear, and so
coming very close to him, Il am afraid
my dearest Florence is little slyl
Yes, really; you wouldn't think it,
would you? The dear girl has such
sweet ingenious face-quite the lowell
est face on earth, think, though some
pronounce it too cold. But she is very
self-cOntained; and to-day, you see, she
has given you an insight into this slight
fault in her character"
"She has indeed" agrees Sir Adrian,
with a smothered groan.
"WelP - triumphantly - land yet,
here we find her granting him a private
audience, when she believed we were
all safely out of the way; and in the
north gallery too, which, as rule, is
deserted"
10 In lyNNn NIrn Fnr.n Inl inn
of driving to the hills" says Sir Adj
rian, making a feeble effort to find a
flaw in his companions statement.
"Oh, yes, she did" declares the wild
ow lightly. Il told her myself, about
two hours ago, that intended asking
you to make party to go there, as
dote on lovely scenery; and dare say"
--coquettishly - "she knew - l mean
thought-you would not refuse so small
q request of mine. But for poor Lady
FitzAlmOnt's headache we should be
there now"
ut is true" admits Sir Adrian, feel
ing that the last straw has descended.
"And now that / think of it," the
widow goes on, even more vivaciOusly,
the reason she assigned for not coming
with us must have been feigned one.
All, slyboots that she Isl" laughs Mrs.
Talbot merrily. "Of course, she wanted
the course clear to have an explanation
with Arthur. Well, after all, that was
only natural. But she might have
trusted me, whom she knows to be her
true friend"
Ill-tempered- capricious-slyl And
all these faults are attributed to Flor
ence by "her true friendl" A quotation
assigned to Marechal Villars when TAX
ing leave of Louis XIV. occurs to him
defend me from my friends" The
words return to him persistently; but
then he looks down on Dora Talbot,
and stares straight into her liquid blue
eyes, so apparently guileless and pure,
and tells himself that he wrongs her.
Yes, it is pity Florence has not put
greater faith in this kind little woman,
a pity for all of them, as then many
heart-breaks might have been prevent
ed.
CHAPTER. ".
1t is the evening of the theatricals;