San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-09
A MAID fORLORN.
BY THE DUCHESS.

nave arfdng 81 all lilaC, answered
her host. pleasantly. The pOSt-bOy-
wTetched youth-plOwed his way up
here as usual. this morning, in spite of
wind and weather. and he undertook TO
show one OF my men he way To Franks
mere. So wrnte your mother polite
and reaSSuring mole to say you were
all right W tn Mrs. Richards, but that |
feared you could not return to-day. as
no horse could travel"
"Oh. how good of YOU" says Cecil,
gladly. How can thank you enough!
You have taken quite il load off my
mind, and made my he"rt as light as a
feather. But wish you had told me
before yOu sent your messenger. as |
too should have liked to write mamma
little note"
1T was so "-gently-"and |
hoped yOu We're sleeping. And | would
not for worlds have had you disturbed
after all the fat que you experienced
yesterday"
Miss r verS is touched by his kind
ness and lhOughtfulmesS.
How well YOU can think for other
people" she say 5. IA little vaguely, but
gratefully. Civ ng him the cool, slim
hand she had willfully withheld when
wishing him gOOd-mOrning. Only for
"a moment, though. Hastily withdraw
ing il, almost before his willing fingers
have closed over it, she says. gayly,
How is your friend. the Major"
"iietter-much better" he returns. in
a tone that would lead one to imagine
he had said, "WOrse-much worse"
"IIe even spoke of be NJ able to get
down this even ng in me for dinner.
But"-with mock Solemnity-"the day
is long, and g0ul is not trIlS worthy
Then | shall Il lie with Mrs. Rich
ards" says C"ciI. rtilectively, and as
though. little Ii! pocrile that she iS-the
idea is rather pieaStIable to her than
Otherw sc. And lhat rem nds me-
qulckl III shall also breakfast with
her. Goodbye" nOdd NJ TO HIM
br Chilly, and NOV .ng on IL step or two,
until he stays her by an implorng gest-
ure.
"YOu won't breakfast with me. then?
How rash of you! Peters, | am posi-
tive. can prov de twice as good break
fast as Mrs. Richards. Don't sacrifice
yourself on the altar of duty
Il sham. |. for my part, believe
firmly in Richards. She looks like
good breanIast. By and bye, when we
meet again, II ,ndeed"-with a quick
glance from under her long lashes
her stern reSOlVeS-"we ever do meet
again. expect YOU Will he consumed
with envy when tell you OF all the n.ce
things have 10 eat"
well. rush upon your fate if you
will" he replies. But at least let us
make a bargain. II Ptters Outdoes
Richards, will YOU promise to throw
yourself on his tender mercieS tO-mOr-
row? The old gentleman"-waving his
hand upward 10 Where the Majors
room may be-"never eEchants me with
his soc.ety before noon"
a bargain II shall be-" rejOins Miss
Rivers promptly. But. if you lose, you
sha'n't get an, breakfast at all. That
is my amendment"
I'll / sk even hat for the chance of
the alternative" he says gallanlly. Il
think, Miss Rivers, you expressed
wish to see tie -gallery-didnt
your
Il should Ike it SO much" answers
Cissy. 1T is nJw"-drawing out her
watch-"a quarter to ten; at twelve |
shall he ready To pay my respects to
the old people. VIII that hour suit
your Yes. Very well them"-with a
backward glance, and smile charming
because swilt, BE sure you are not
late!"
lie is not. Indeed, it still wants full
ly live minutes Ia the apo nted hour
when he preSen,S nlmSelI al the door of
Mrs. Richards parlOr. To lind his guest
awaiting HIM.
The picture gallery proves a complete
success. NJ 5 Il rrrs. ner m nd al rest
about her mothers anxiety on her be-
half, is III her ga! st mood, and declares
herself. and is in very truth. enchanted
with the endless rows of Simpering
danes and dauntlesS knights that line
the walls. she insists upon hearing
every dark legend connected with the
grim warriors. every romantic and eerie
tale about the L yves.
This gamt spinster." says Mr.. GRAY
Ell. ind'catinga withered damsel of sour
aspect was a lady of advanced notions.
In our DAYS she would have gone in
heavily or wOman's rights. Perhaps"
-hesItatng-"youa agree " tn
Here he stops. abashed by her re-
prOachful look
How could you so misjudge me%
she says. DO look like one Of those
awful people?"
She stands little back from him. as
though implOring h m to assure himself
now and forever that she IS not of the
abhOrred race. She certainly does not
look like it-nOt in the least like any
thing awful or abhOrred; and he tells
her so mildly, as far as words go; but
with considerable warmth if she can
read his eyes Alright.