San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-04
A MAID FORLORN.
by THE DUCHESS.

But, what will your uncle say" asks
Mrs. Rivers. nprvOuSly.
"Myuncle will say just what the Major
says" replies Ronnie, Struggling her
shoulders.
wouldn't it be comfort if the Major
diedT" says Cecil. from her low chair in
the chimney-cOrner- own srecial
corner, i'll every house wherein she may
go. As she makes this charitable
speech. she signs profoundly.
My dear" says her mother III a tone
that is meant to be full of rebuke. but
is only fOnG.
well. | know that" returns Miss
Cecil, Saucily; Il am perfectly aware
that | am dear to you. What's the good
of telling me the same thing over and
over again? Only that it would be
naughty to ones own sweet mother. |
would give you pinch for stale news"
Il suppose even Uncle Gregory can't
expect us to live in London all the year
round" remarks ROnnie. a frOWn dark
ening her pretty little baby face. 1t is
the funniest little frOwn. and certainly
ent resting-place. Il suppose lie can't
control our every action"
"lIe can, however. keep us cOmforta-
BILE or reduce us to absolute want-at
least, to something very near it," an
SwerS Mrs. Rivers, in trembling tone.
MY mind is made up" says Cecil,
lightly. Rather than be reduced to
absolute want, shall marry marquis
"a duke even-if need be. Let nobody
try to dissuade me; l shall do it, ordie."
Then, I'm afraid you will die" re-
turns ROnnie, who is the least bit of a
cynic.
you sha'n't discourage me-" says
Cissy, gayly. Even down in the de
serted village, where you and mother
are bent on burying yourselves, | dare
say shall meet my fairy prince"
Il hope he will be a prince worthy of
you'll" says Mrs. Rivers. somewhat visit
fully gazing at the lovely face smiling
up at her from the chimney-cOrner, out
of its tangle of golden hair.
you hope for too much" replies the
owner of the golden locks merrily. The
prince was never yet born, am con-
WINGED, who would be- worthy of such
peerless charms as mine"
But really, mamma, when we are all
so tired of town life, why should we
not go into the country, and especially
to this pretty place the Freres have
written to us about?" asks Ronnie.
81 am sure Uncle Gregory ought to
think better of us, for preferring the
dullneSS of a country life to all the gilt
tering designations of the town." OBJ
serves Cecil laughing.
"YOur uncle likes nothing he doesn't
suggest himself" says Mrs. Rivers.
"Then make him suggest it, Let us
go to him in body and tell him how
we are enjoying ourselves here, and ten
to one but he will order us into solitary
confinement. without delay. He is such
perverSe old dear"
Cecil. you talk too much" murmms
her mother, mildly.
I'm like the brook" SAYS Cecil, I'M
abaShed; Il go on forever. After all, I
am better than stupid girl who can't
talk at all. ROnne. how silent YOU are.
Don't You like tbs country schPme%
Yes" returns Ronn:e. very delber-
ately. 1T is my greatest desire to leave
town forthwith"
AS she says this, her mother raises
her soft eyes and regards her curiOusly
nay. indeed. sadly. But Ronnies
face, whatever she herself may he think
ing. is stamch to her, and hetrayS moth
ing.
"Yes. yes-cOuntry air will be good
for us all" says Mrs. Rivers. hastily.
at must he arranged. | wish the Major
could be brought TO speak TO youruncle
about it."
"If you mean that an to cOnciliite,
and play up TO the Major, | simply
sha'n't," answers Cecil. with a vicious
little nod. 81 detest him. 1t is my be-
lief he wants to marry that daughter OF
his-Maria, to Uncle Gregory"
"Oh, MOI" says Ronne. quickly. "He
may live in the fond hope that Uncle
Gregory, growing disguised with us and
our frivolities, will leave Maria the bulk
of his property; but | know he intends
her to marry much younger man.
Lady Marsden told me all about it the
other day. 1t did not interest me, so |
have forgotten the minor details, such
as names and places. But know this
young man has been abroad for years;