San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-16


He saw the giant sea above his head.
Keats EndymiOn.
CHAPTER !.
A PROLOGUE, AND THE FIRST SCENE.
~In large wooden building not far from
the seashore, building attached as school
house to "Munster's Boarding Academy for
Young Gentlemen" l. Hugh Trelawney,
then scarcely ten years old, was mOping
alone. had only arrived two days before
from London, where | had parted from my
father, travelling lecturer in the cause Of
what was then known as the New Moral
World. My mother had long been dead, and
| had led somewhat neglected life, some
times accompanying my father on his wan
behring's, more often being left to the care, or
careleSsness, of strangers. At last l had
been sent to Southampton to complete very
perfunctOry education.
1t was afternoon, and half-hOliday; my
new schoOl-fellOws were playing close by.
For myself, was too used to loneliness to be
very miserable. merely felt an Outcast for
the time being, and took no interest what
ever in my new associations.
As sat thus, | must have fallen into
brown study, from which a slight sound
startled me,
eyes which were intently regarding me.
Are you the new bOyg' said a clear voice.
nodded, and stared at my interrogation, a
girl of about my own age, whose black eye
brows were knitted in way very curious In
so young a child as she seemed.
Her arms and neck were bare, and she was
fondling kitten, whose bright eyes and lis
som movements seemed to have something
In common with her own beauty, noticed,
too, that she wore earrings, and that they
were very bright and glistening,
what is your name?" she continued, in
the same clear questioning tone, altogether
with the manner of a superior who was not
to be trifed with.
Hugh"
Hugh whatP'
"IIugh Trelawney."
felt somewhat overawed by the tone Of
| the little lady, who to my boyish eyes, SEEM
| ed much more my senior than she was in
| reality.
She continued to regard me with the same
keen scrutiny, and then said, looking at my
attire:
"Who is deddP'
still wore black for my mother, and, with
a somewhat faltering voice, | told her so.
She did not seem surprised, and expressed
no sympathy; but, walking to the schools
room window, looked out saying, why
don't you go out and play with the other
boy?
II don't care about play. am tired"
"Tired with whatP" she questioned, quick
ly.
made no reply, for Twas not prepared for
the question. had meant to imply that
was lOw-spirited and dull, but had not cared
to confess SO much in so many words.
She understood me, however, and, although
she seemed Indifferent to my condition,
troubled me with no more questions.
Glad TO direct her attention from myself,
for her bright eyes troubled me and made me
feel ashamed, stopped down and stroked
the kitten, which she had placed upon the
floor. Even as did so, could feel her eyes
still fixed upon me; but when l looked up
again with an annoyed expression, she turn
ed her eyes away, and laughed.
This imboldened me, and began to ques-
ton In my turn.
"Are you the schoolmaster's daughteT%
At this she laughed the mOre-so brightly
and pleasantly, with such a gOod-hmnored
sympathy with my blundeT, that my first i'm.
preston of her began to improve, and saw
that, besides being rather imperious, she
was a very pretty, young lady.
"Why do you laughp' l remarked.
"At YOU" she replied; because you take
me for Mr.. MINISTER'S child. am stranger
here, like yourself. My people live far away
In South America, and are very rich. My
pOther is dead, and don't remember her.
NY father has sent me here 10 be taught;
but shall soon go back to him. Have you
fatherP" she added. quickly.