San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-09-16
The Haunted Chamber.
BY "THE DUCHESS. y

Now II, by means OF tins man, her
rival can be kept out of Abrams way,
all may yet be well, and her host may
be brought to her feet before her visit
comes to an end.
OF Arthur DynecOmt's infatuatiOn
for Florence she is fully aware, and is
right in deeming that part Of his admit
ration for the beautiful girl has grown
out of his knowledge of her money
bags. Still, she argues to herself, his
love is true and faithful, despite his
knowledge of her dot, and he will in all
probability make her as good husband
as she is likely to find.
MAY | command your asks Arthur,
in his sOfteSt tones. you know my
secret, | believe. Ever since that
last meeting at Brighton, when my
heart Overcame me and made me show
my sentiments openly and in your pres
ence, you have been aware of the hope
less passion that is consuming me.
may be mad, but / still think that,
with opportunities and time, | might
make myself at least tolerated by Miss
Delmaine. Will you help me in this
matter? Will you give me the chance
of pleading my cause with her alone?
BY so dOing"-with meaning smile
you will also give my cousin the happy
chance of seeing you alone"
Dora only too well understood his in
situation. Latterly Sir Adrian and
Florence have been almost inSeparable.
To now meet with one whose interest
it is to keep them asunder is very
pleasant to her.
81 will help YOU" she says in low
tone.
Then try to induce Miss Delmaine
to give me a private rehearsal tO-mOr-
row in the north gallery" he whispers
hurriedly, seeing Capt. RingwOOd and
Miss Nilliers approaching. Hush! Not
another word? | rely upon you. Above
all things. remember that what has Oc-
CURED is only between you and me. 1t
is our little plot" he says, with cur
iOuS smile that somehow strikes a chill
to Mrs. TalbOt's heart.
She is faithful to her word neverthe-
less, and late that night, when all have
gone TO their rooms, she puts on her
dreSSing-gOwn, diSmiSSeS her maid, and
crossing the corridor, taps lightly at
the door Of FlOrence's apartment.
Hearing some one cry Come in" she
opens the door, and, having fastened it
again, goes over to where Florence is
sitting while her maid is brushing her
long soft hair that reaches almost to
the ground as she sits.
"Let me brush your hair tonight,
FlO," she says gayly. Let me be your
maid for once. Remember how used
to do it for you sometimes when we
were in Switzerland last year"
VERY well-yOu may" acquiesCes
Florence, laughing. Goodnight, Par
kins. Mrs. Talbot has won you your
release"
Parkins having gladly withdrawn,
Dora takes up the ivOry-handled brush
and gently begins to brush her cousins
hair.
After some preliminary conversation
leading up to the subject she has in
hand, she says carelesSly-
by the by, Flo, you are rather I'M
civil to Arthur DynecOurt, don't you
Think"
"Uncivil?"
"Well-yes. That is the word for
your behavior toward him, think. Do
you know, | am afraid Sir Adrian has
noticed it, and aren't you afraid he will
think it rather odd of yOu-rude, I
Misunderstanding he is his cOusinp
Not very faVOrite cousin, fancy"
For all that, people don't like seeing
blNAA lNldNlOllD SAiNNNAs OllOO hlOM
a man who used to abuse his brother
all day long, but, if any one else hap
pened to say one disparaging word of
him in his presence, it put him in
pretty rage. And, after all, poor Ar
thur has done nothin,, to deserve actu-
al ill-treatment at your hands"
II deteSt him. And, besides, it is a
distinct impertinence to follow any one
about from place to place as he has fol-
lowed me. will not submit to it calm
ly. 1t is positive persecution.
''My dear, you must not blame him if
he has lost his head about you. That
is rather compliment, if anything"
81 shall always resent such cOmpli-
ments."
"IIe is certainly very unmanly in all
other ways, and must say devoted to
you. He is handsome too, is he not;
and has quite the air of one accustomed
to command in society,""
HAS he paid you to sing his praises2"
asks Florence, with little laugh; but
her words so nearly hit the mark that
Dora bushes painfully.
81 mean" she explains at last, in a
rather hurried way, that | do not
think it is good form to single out any
one in a household where one is guest
to show him pointed rudeness. You
give all the others acting in this play
ample opportunities of rehearsing alone
with you. 1t has been remarked to me
by two or three that you purposely
slight and avoid Mr.. Dynecourt."
$50 l do" Florence admits calmly;
adding, Your two or three have great
perspicacity."
"They even limited to me-" Dora goes
on deliberately, that your dislike to
him arose from the fact that you were
piqued at his being your stage lover, in
stead of Sir Adrianl"
1t cost her an effort to utter these
words, but the effect produced by them
Is worth the effort.
Florence, growing deathly pale, re-
leases her hair from her Cousins grasp,
and rises quickly to her feet.
Il don't know who your gOssips may
be-" she says slowly; but they are
wrong quite wrong-do you hear?
My dislike to Mr.. Dynecourt arises
from very different feelings. He is dis
tasteful to me in many ways; but, as l
am industrious that my manner should
give occasion for surmises such as you
have just mentioned to me, will give
him an opportunity of reciting his part
to me, alone, as soon as ever he
wishes"
Il think you are right, dearest" re-
spends Mrs. Talbot sweetly. She is a
little afraid of her cousin, but still
maintains her position bravely. 1T Is
always mark of folly to defy public
opinion. Do not wait for him to ask
you again to go through your play with
him alone, but tell him yourself to-
morrow that you will meet him for
that purpose in the north gallery some
time during the day."
"Very WE'LL" says Florence; but her
face still betrays dislike and disinclina-
ton to the course recommended.
And, Dora, | don't think | want my