San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-07

not ever snow pleasure IA my society.
sing the songs | like, or play the pieces
desire? Nonsense, my heart has no
need TO beat so neTVOuSly. Had | a
rival it would be- dilfprent-diiTerenta and
dangerous, especially for him. and the
long slender bands clenched, the red
light shOne in the dark eyes. but |
have none. Who could rival me out
here? Besides, have | not said that
Florence Granger shall be my wife, and
that of no other man. and never yet
have | been baked in that upon which
have set my mind"
Such had been Herbert Archer's
thoughts as he rode to Shady Creek
through the sweet spring morning. But
as he entered the room with the colonel
the set expression died out of his
cOuntenance, giving place to one of gen.
tleness as his gaze rested upon Flo.
There must have been something
more than gentleness in it-something
that startled the girl-sOmething vague,
underlined, yet like presentiment of
coming trouble. For the first time her
color rose, and her eyes fell beneath his
glance; she felt constrained and restless
in his presence.
AS soon as she was able she quilted
wOrk-baSket. Whenever she lifted her
eyes she found those of Herbert Archer
upon her. What was there in their
dark, brilliant depths that made her
breath come quickly as one in fear?
To her relief the colonel soon arose,
saying:
Now, Archer, my boy, let us go to
the cattle. You'll confess, am sure,
I've made a good bargain. OF course
you will dine here"
II fear not, ;" was the reply; my stay,
indeed, cannot exceed an hour or so,
colonel"
I'm sorry, but business before pleas
ure, my boy. That motto builds up
fortunes. Well, the cattle will not take
long; then Flo, no doubt, will show you
the alterations she has been making in
her garden
The last sentence was spoken outside
on the verandah.
Flo was not compelled to hear; she
determined not to, but directly they
had gone and her aunt had left to super
intend some household duties, she
sprang upstairs, put on her riding-habit,
then slipped round to the stable where
old Jeck was doing in the sun.
"Jeck,' she said, "the morning is so
fine that | want spin in the bush.
Saddle your horse and mine as quickly
as you can, there's a good Jeck."
Yes, missile; jock very quick; he no
sleep ever over missiles orders"
THANK you, jock; when they are
ready, bring them down to the road by
the Seven Trees. If anyone asks you
where am going, say-say, / shall be
back in half an hour"
Yes, missile; jock know"
Il never felt like this before, reflect
ed Flo, as she fastened to the trees
named. IF Herbert thinks of propOs-
ing, why cannot wait and refuse him,
as must? Why do | tremble and feel
so nervous? Is it because of my remem-
brance of Philip this morning? Is it
because know shall pain auntie? Is
1t because | do not know my own mind?
No, it's not that. don't know what it
is, only that | don't want Herbert to
propose to-day. am weak and nerv-
GUS, and fear him."
Just then jock came cantering up,
leading horse and riding the other. A
moment later Flo was in the saddle and
gallOping down the road. At that mo-
ment Herbert Archer happened to be
looking in that direction. The cattle
had been seen, the colonel was giving
some orders to the stockman. Herbert
Archer did not hesitate nor lose mo-
ment, he FASTENED to the stable, sad
died his horse, and telling stable hand
that he was going to accompany Miss
Granger in her ride, started in pursuit.
He resolved not to lose the opportuni-
ty thus afforded him to speak to Flo
alone, for he reckoned old Jeck as no.
body. He had noted the direction the
girl had taken, and knew a short cut
by which he could readily Overtake her.
1t was to be an eventful day, indeed,
to more than him, and even to more
than Flo.