San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-27
This story was commenced July 2O.l
copyrighted. Al Rights ReserUed)
OF MANY MOODS.
BY BONA.

4 -
| laugh
But he does not heed her. She has con
scented to go with him, and his heart is beat
ing with a mad joy.
But you have not heard the object of our
very early call" the Professor is saying.
ave came to know if you two would not
| like to be rOwed down to the Hollow. Ii is
so beautifully cool there, and we can easily
get back by dinner time"
a should like 1t Of all things" says Helen,
looking at her sister, "if Nelly will CO."
you will, will you nOt?' pleads Allen.
The thought of a long day with her is too
| delightful to be real.
"Oh yes, suppose So she says, half re-
luctantly rising. But | must change my
dress and fix my hair up. What trouble it
is to be sure"
81 am sure il looks very nicely as it is"
says the young man, gazing admiringly at
the bright strands.
"Yes. Does it not? so tidy, isn't it?''
Then, seeing his creStfallen look, she smiles
softly. II am like the girl i'm one of Dickens
stories; which was il? She was always
twisting up her back hair Wait for me; |
shall not be long"
Nor is she. Her dress is too simple to
keep her long.
"What great man was it?" she says as they
walk slowly down to the water, 81 am not
good at remembering names. He wished
for a river at his gardens end. Do you re-
member, Helen?'
NO" rather sharply, NOR Il, re-"
They have reached the river Parker
is christening tine boat. They sep in gin
gerry; it is old, it is leaky, but it is boat
Slowly it is pushed out from among the tall,
green flags and white river lilies; down I'M
der the shade of the dropping willows it
goes swiftly propelled.
1t is so lovely here, this summer day on
this clear stretch of water, with the tall, dark
trees on either side, with the sweet cool air
bringing delicious scent from the garden of
lavender and roses, and only the swish,
swish Of the oars TO break the stiffness.
Eleanor is glad she came.
Helen has broken the silence. She is talk
ing garrulousIy, and the Professor is laugh
ing gayly, and so they row on to the Hollow.
~ love the water" Eleanor is saying, bet
ter than almost anything. | should like to
have been mermaid, an Undine you know"
looking dreamily up at Allen.
81 should pity the sailors that came near
you if you WERE" he says. "On the whole
| am glad you are not"
But would make such a nice mermaid.
They were beautiful you know, and had long
hair See, Helen can you not imagine me
now, sitting alone, singing alone cOmbing
my hair with a sea shell comb"
81 can't say l can considering there are
three other goOd-sized mOrtals present." re-
turns the other dryly. Though" with
slight laugh, "it would not be hard to imag-
in tho lot tar, NJ #
at would take you to do the singing"
goes on Nelly. Then turning to Parker:
Have you never heard her singP What a
deal you have missed"
II did not know you sang, Mrs. Rodney"
says the Professor looking up supposedly.
mo more can. It is only Nelly's non
sense"
but you should hear her try" says Flea
nor, with merry little laugh. at is like a
canary with cold in its head
1T is the dream of my life to sing" says
Mrs. Rodney. She does not seem to mind
her sisters insulting remarks. What pity
1t is that have no voice."
Eleanor has abandoned the conversation,
and is looking lazily up at the azure blue
sky. Mr.. Allen has been telling her some
laughable anecdOte lie is rather piqued
that she has taken not the slightest notice of
him, but then she was never one for man
ners or etiquette. lie is supremely happy
at being near her; he is looking forward
with such joy to this long day in the pretty
green hollow. He has copy of TennysOn
with him. and he will sit at her feet and read
aloud to her. What piece would suit her
bestp 'Elaine" perhaps? the Lilly Maid"'
but no! he can not fancy her dying for love
of any man. She would like better the
truths, the philosophy, the beauty of 'In
Memoriam." But here his thoughts are
rudely interrupted, for they have reached
the Hollow. The boat is pushed close to the
green, marshy land. As they step out Helen,
who is In front, turns sharply, saying in an
undertone:
Some one is here before u.s."
''Some unlucky fisherman upon whom we
have come like angels mawares," says Flea
nor, with low laugh. But see, he is COM
ing this way"
by jovep cries the Professor, letting go
the boat so suddenly as to almost send it
sailing down the stream again, "as | am
alive, it's Dallas CarewP'
Helen starts. Eleanor! Nelly, it is Mr..
Carew."
'Well, what if it is%' cries the other tart
ly. Can l help it? Why are you Ill staring
at meP am not to blame, am l?'
The poor young fellow by her side looks
at her wistfully. Why should this chance
encounter have called that lovely color into
her face, a color which since he has known
her he has never yet provoked. And where
are Tennyson and his long day now?