San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-12

1t is cold, it cuts one to the heart"
Alison followed Agnes down to cosy
room, which was called the housekeepers
parur. Alison took of her hat snowy
arrangement OF feathers and velvet and re-
moved her long scaskin mantle.
Seen by the bright light, she was grand
creature, fine animal, perfectly formed,
but devoid of soul.
The oliv' shin fl lShrd into pom 'granate
bloom on h,r cheek; her great black eyes
flashed in liquid light; her hair was thick,
shining like black satin, and had BEAUTIFUL
waves in il.
She smOOthed itwith plump white hand,
flashing with jewels. A square mirror, in
black carved frame, hung over the mantel-
piece.
She took fame-cOlOred handkerchief
from her neck and tied it over her head
with gay laugh, and turned to the old wO-
man who was watching, and said:
Tell your fortune, pretty lady, only cross
the poor gipsy's hand with bit of silver.
That's the style, you see, aunt; I've not for
gotten the tricks of the trader'
Trust you to forget anything you ought
not to remember. You are, after all, true
gypsy, though. Your father did hope to
make lady of yOu,by sending you to board
ing-SchOOl and keeping you clear of the
circus"
why should not gypsy be lady, l
should like to knOw?'
Because they are the vagabonds of the
earth. You can no more make gentlefOlks
of them than you can make a black man
white"
There now, be quiet, or you'll make me
angry. | can be pretty spiteful when my
temper's up, | can tell you"
81 know it to my sorrow. Have you seen
Jem lately?'
mo; where is hep
lie has gone to London to bring down a
new cob the master has bought. Master is
fast growing 4 Tca man, he knows how to
invest his money
Yes, he is shrewd enough; he was only
hoodwinked once, and that was when he
made Alison Lee, Alison PrnfOld. Lord!
what a life led him. | wonder he keeps
you and Jem on; he must know my mother
was your sister"
Yes, ne knOws; but he is just man, and
does not visit your sin on innocent heads.
He knows Jem and serve him faithfully"
Il can twist Jem round my little finger"
Leave Jem alone, you're no honest mans
cattle"
keep civil, old girl, or the next time you
go to Cardiff Dock to see Jems father, you'll
get ducking; there are plenty out there
ready to do my bidding"
II am not afraid; the Lord will look after
his own"
Don't cant. You've got piety enough
for a regiment of soldiers"
Alison threw herself into cosy armchair,
pulled out a tiny case of cigarettes, lighted
one, and pulled the smoke out in big blue
cloud, looking so insolently beautiful that
the old lady could but admire while she con-
demned her.
Meanwhile Ally and Dorothy had eaten
their dinner and sat before the fire in a big
chair reading fairy-tales. The room was
warm and bright, and after while Ally
cOaXed Dorothy to sing "FrOggy would a.
wooing 90" then, Ten Little Niggers,"
and still the little voice pleaded, Go on"
Dorothy sang lot of nursery-rhymes, and
then, coming to the end of her resources,
thought of the Duchess's song in "Alce in
Wonderland" and sang brightly.
Someone outside the room Joined i'm the
chorus, and Drift reused up and stalked to
the door with grOwl.
Dorothy got up and opened the door; she
could hear the swish of silken garments.
None of the maids wore silk. Who could it
be?
IF it were one of the maids dressed up
for an evening out, it was very rude of her
to mimic me-" thought poor perplexed Dor
Othy.
She felt decidedly uncomfortable, and
took Ally up in her arms, and sat down in
her old seat by the fire, thinking to herself:
'One would think the house was haunted
by an evil spirit, but it is perfectly idotic to
feel so frightened. | am getting quite
baby"
But had she known by how evil spirit
the house was haunted, she would have
found her fears excusabe.
xviii papa he home by the Twelfth Night,
Miss Snow; if he is not, shall we eat this
Twelfth Cake? 1t is so pretty; Agnes frost
ed it over with sugar till it looked like a
SNOWFALL: it has holly and fairy doll on
the top. Jane dressed the doll so pretty"
"Prettiy, you should say, dear. Yes,
hope papa will be home soon; the house is
lonely without him, is it not?''
Yes; love papa. Do you love him, Miss
SnOw?'
Eyes, do indeed, darling, dearer than
life. You are sleepy. Shall take yOu to
bed, and let you go to sleep in my armsg'
Ally nodded drowsily, and Dorothy car
ried her off.
As she went she had sensation OF being
followed, and FASTENED on breathlessly.
When little Ally knelt down to say her
prayers, the door opened quietly as If Dor
othy had not properly scared it.
She noticed, her nerves were at such cruel
tension, every noise, however slight.
"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, look up
on little child," said Ally in her soft lisp
ing baby language, and Dorothy saw the
door open little wider
When the prayers were ended, and the
baby lips kissed into silence, and Ally lay
snug and warm in the pretty white bed,
Dorothy went to the door to lock it, and 10!
the key was gone.
Dorothy looked on the floor, all over the
room, in the cor idOr and still it was not to
be found.
Then she rang the bell sharply. Old Ag-
mes came to answer 1t little sulkily; all
the maids were out, and it made her breath
short tO'mount the stairs.
81 can't find the key of my door, has any
one removed it?'
"Why should. they? The keys In this
house are rarely touched; we can trust one
another, Miss Snow"
YES, of course, but am accustome to
lock my door, and can't sleep unless it's"
I'm very sorry, but 1t is no fault of mine.
Put chair against the door; no one will in
terfere with you--why should they? l never
locked my bedroom door in my life. What
Chnull I do in On 40 pf frppp
unlock 1t and get out If you value your
life, suppose. l am annoyed. The key
was here this morning. Well, suppose l