San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-20
PASSIVE CRIME.
by THE DUCHESS.

Maud, quickly 81 don't know what it
is auntie, but | feel a hOrrOr-a hatred
of that man. His manner toward me
is insOlent to degree. 1t is as though
he would compel me, against my will,
to be civil to him. and never SHALL"
concludes Miss Neville, between her
little white, even teeth.
IL don't think | care much about him
myself" says Mrs. Neville. He al
ways seems to me to be something Of
an adYenturer; and, besides. he is Il
friend of all the PenruddOCks, and, eX-
cept Dick, never liked any of them.
Not that he is much of a friend there
either. as he never speaks of them, and
even Hdrawn into conversation about
Dicks father, as a rule says something
disparaging. But he has money. and IS
received everywhere and really think,
my dear child, he is very devoted to
you"
"Oh, do not. pray, try to make him
even more deteStable in my sight tham
he is already" says Maud. with a shiyer
that may mean disgust.
"Oh. no. OF course meant nothing.
And he is the last man that | should
care to see YOU married to. But some
time you must make sCleCtiOn-yOu
can but know that-and am always
thinking for you, indeed | am. Dick
Penruddock is very much i'll love with
you, really believe, though you always
deny it,"
Il deny it because think he is not.
hope with all my heart and soul that
he is not" says Maud, with sudden and
unlOOked-fOr energy.
All the color has lied from her cheeks,
and her lips tremble slightly.
We'll, my dear, perhaps so. | own |
am stupid" says Mrs. Neville, who,
though the best and kindest of women,
is certainly in no danger Of setting the
Thames on fire with her CleVerncSS.
Though | cant see why you should
dislike the idea so much. lie is quite
charming in my opinion, and 50 hand
some. Then there is Lord StrettOn;
you can't tell me that he does not adore
the very ground you walk on"
"Oh, Strettom" says Mss Neville, dis
painfully.
But, my dearest, you mcst marry
some one" says her "auntie," in an ag
grieved tone. Dick, as | say, is all
that one could possibly desire; but
StrettOn has a title, and that always
counts. AS that dear man in Punch,
said some time ago, Beauty and good
ness may fade and pail, but attle lasts
There is certainly Il very great deal of
sense in that remark. and it is nice to
have duke for Il lrOther-in-laW."
81 don't think Northampton would
be nice as brOther-in-law were he fifty
times duke" says Maud. with a curl
of her short upper lip
''Ile might he improved on. certainly;
don't dispute that" Mrs. Neville adj
mits. sadly. His manners are positive
ly distressing. 50 redOlent of the stable;
and his nose is out OF all proportion"
1T is so like Lord StrettOn'S that no
one could possibly know one from the
other" says Maud, wiltully.
Mrs. Neville signs. The case is be-
yond argument. 1t is indeed only too
true that Lord StrettOn's prObOscis
bears painful resemblance to his
brothers.
Dick Penruddock is, of course, in
many ways far preferable" she says,
presently, shifting ground. He is quite
as rich, and is younger, and has prettler
manners. But. then, you say you OBJ
ject to Dick also"
No, | don't object to Mr.. Penrud-
dock" says the girl, with a soft, slow
blush; that is not it. You mistake me,
Mimi" This is the pet name she gave
to Mrs. Neville when child Il only
mean that | shall never marry"
But why-,rhy" impatently.
Can yGu ask me that" returns she,
with a glance full of the liveliest re-
prOach.
But the thing is not seCret-all tie
world knows how | adopted you, and
that you are the daughter of some poor
mechanic. dead before | ever saw you.
But they know, too. that you are the
most beautiful and the most charming
girl in the town! Yes, you dre!" in an
Swer to deprecating shake of Miss
Neville'S head; "and if these men love
you, and choose to overlook such a lit
tie fault. why, then, | can not see"
"A little fault" repeats she sadly.
Then. with touch OF pride, Nay, 1t is
no fault at all but it is great misf0r-
tune: and though StrettOn-Or-Or Mr..
PenruddOck may, perhaps, fOoliShly
wish TO marry me, do you honestly be-
lieve their families would receive me
with open arms? Do you think it at
all likely that Dicks father would be
glad to see him married to girl with
out name? 1t is impossible, Mimi"
Il know not what they might think
or say. but | know that if he were my
son | would gladly see him married to
you" says Mimi, maintaining her cause
StOutly.
That is because you love me. and be
cause you are different from all the rest
of the world" says the girl. gently, look,
ing at her through soft mist. that
dims the beauty of her eyes, and is born
of tenderness, and gratitude. and deep
affection.