San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-16
Mrs. VernOn's BOarder.
CHAPTER I.
AT FIRST SIGHT.

AT FIRST SIGHT.
what in the world ar YOU staring at, st.
John?' said one young man IT, another as the
congregation was pouring out of ST. Peters,
EatOn-sq uare. one Sunday morning in the
beginning of November. what Spencer?
say rather whom" returned the other, a
tall, very handsome, and aristOcratic-lOOk-
ing individual wearing richly-sabled
ulster. There she is! BY Heaven! must
see where she gOesr'
"St. John! are you mad? What the dick
ems"
But st. Sohn heard no more; he had, with
quick movement, doubled" round stout,
gOld-spectacled old dowager, and Spencer
just caught glimpse of his tall figure
among the crowd near the gate, and then
was forced to give his attention to middle
aged lady and a young one who bounced
upon him with duet of silvery greetings,
to which the younger lady added the dec
laratiOn that she saw BERTHE st. John in
church-"And where is he nOw?" she ques-
toned.
He darted away after $ III thing or some
one, replied Spencer, and have lost sight
Of him."
How tiresOmcr exclaimed the damsel,
he would join us at the Lyceum tomorrow
evening. We must leave Il message with
his mother"
Meanwhile, the truant was pursuing his
way towards Victoria Station taking care
to place a couple Of hundred yards between
himself and young lady who was walking
with swift light steps ahead Of him.
A back view of lady'S charms Is neceS-
a. han
showed tall, slender, evidently very young
woman, Il girl, indeed, graceful in move
ment, with finaly-pO ed head and quanti-
ty of curly light-5rOwn hair that rolled
down over her shoulders there was nothing
noteworthy in her Dress but her face mu>t
have possessed more than ordinary cOmeli-
ness, for most of the people who passed her
all the men-turned their heads and look
ed again.
Perhaps BERTHE St John had seen that
cOuntenance; he was surely not tracking
young lady on the strength of pretty figure
and a graceful carriage.
The unconscious maiden walked right in
to the station-yard, and proceeded towards
yellow omnibus, on the side whereof was
painted Camden Town"
st. John paused In some perplexity, draw
ing back out of sight, but keeping his eyes
fixed on the vulgar yet useful vehicle in
which his enSnarer was seated.
What dance is she going to lead me
nOw?' he sOlilOquised II am not going TO
give up, that is certain"
He watched till the omnibus quilted the
yard and was running, or rather creeping,
along Victoria street, and then he hailed a
hanson, the driver of which already had his
eye on 1.-THE swell"
DO you see that Omnibus? said st. John.
ayes? Keep it in sight-nOt too cOse-you
understand
YES, sir; all right, sir"
The young man stepped into the cab, drew
up the collar of his coat, pLllcd his hat over
his eyes-it was one of those low felt hats
very convenient for church wear-and lean
ed back in the corner, and Of drove tie cab
at crawling pace, or it mus have loon left
the omnibus OH the hOr,Z IL.
That numbering vehicle Stopped several
times, but the object of st. Johns pursuit
did not alight.
''She can't be going to Camden Town."
said the young man to himself. 'She doesn't
look Camden Town.
Up ST. Martins lane, through st. Giles's,
up at the corner Of TOttenham-cOurt road.
Then forth came Il fat Old woman, seedy
youth, a smartly-dresSed shop-girl, and
tall slender girl with long fur cloak and a
pretty fur cap.
A minute later cabby was in receipt of
handsome fare, and BERTHE st. John was fol.
lowing at safe distance she of the fur cloak
along unsavOry Tottenham-cOurt-road.
She led him through several streets,
emerging finally in Keppel street. where
after proceeding short distance she went
up TO house on the north side of the street,
applied latchkey to the door, and vanish
ed from sight.
st. John walked on uncOncenedly past the
house, took note OF the number, and turned
the corner into Russell-square, well salts
fed.
1t had been long chase, but 1t had been
successful.
The house looked like private dwelling;
there were flowers OH the dining-rOOm win
dOwSill and In the drawing-roOm balconies,
and that general air Of ncatneSs and uni
formty rarely seen in clearinghouse.
"A private housed r. unused the young man.
"Am done, after all? No, by JOvel I'll
set Barnes to work, and there may be
means Of getting acquainted with the girl"
A handsome man Of perhaps seven-and-
twenty, curly-haired, with large brilliant
eyes that had wrought unwilling havoc in
not a few hearts, was lOunging, cigarette In
hand in an armchair Before him stood a
man, half courier, half valet lie was
speaking:
The house is occupied by lady named