San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-20
Mrs. VernOn's Boarder.

then he laughed. 81 shOu dm'u WONDER" he
said 'if he takes m for cousin of mine,
who is as rich as jew; We are a good deal
alike, am told, but hN@ngvcr seen him.
Perhaps Others in tn" house, ii 'artsraSe
thought, made the M mistake. for she OBJ
served several PEOPLE in the Stalls-both
ladies and gentlemcn-lOOking at St. John,
and some nodded or lOwCd to him, all of
which salutes he returned.
Some looked very surprised, especially a
splendidly-dressed lady in an opp site box,
of whom the girl presently heard the occu-
pants of the next box talking rs the Mar
chiOnesS" of some hing. This lady, who
was young and handsome, waved her fan at
st. John and nodded vigorously, and he
bowed to her.
''She takes me for my cousin" he remark
ed.
Don't you know herr asked H.artseasp.
by sight, yes" replied St. John; and
HeartseaSe wondered little that he should
bow TO people he did not seem to know.
The girl was { o bIsJtcidnte to notice the
looks of admiration directed towards her
SELF but her companion saw them fast
enough, and felt ye.y proud Of his young
charge. He saw also that the glancrS of
those to whom he had bowed said plainly,
"WhO is she?' But he felt secure in pri-
yate box; no one would ntrude when he
had lady with him. The exit from the
theatre would be the difficulty.
Heartsease was subIimaly happy. She
was delighted with the piece, which she had
only seen once before, and then with cast
inferior to the present; but the play was
not ''the thing" 1t was because A lbert st.
oh will hot h
tie rapport between heart and heart which
needs not always to be understood to be
felt.
Now and then there would come across
the girls mind thought of the cloud over
hanging her home; but anXietieS could hard
ly press heavily upon her tonight; every
thing was in golden haze.
The green curtain fell, and HeartSease
stifed a sigh.
"Have you enjoyed the play% asked st.
John, as he folded her mantle around her,
lingering a little perhaps over the very
agreeable operation.
"Oh yes" with a swift upward look and
vivid smile. Thank you so much for the
pleasureW
"The thanks are from me to you, Hearts
ease. 1t has been the happiest evening in
my life"
Heartsease did not know how to answer
this last speech; perhaps it was only COM
plimentary, but she felt there was more than
compliment in his tone. She was silent
turning away little, and folding up her
programme with rather unnecessary elabOra-
ton,
st John seemed in no great hurry to de-
part and the auditor.u m was nearly empty
when he quilted the box with his compan-
ion, and he descended the still crowded
stairs very slowly, In the lobby, Hearts
ease, and st. John too, for that matter
heard female voice say
"Spencer told me that he had gone yacht
ing in the Mediterranean with Lord Bran
dOn."
"Well," returned mans voice. "either
he must have come home, or there Is mis-
take somewhere; for you can't very easily
mistake him; and there he was with the
most"
"IIiStw
"DO you hear those peOpleY' whispered
Heartsease innocently. 81 wonder if they
are talking Of yOu-taking you for your
cOusnr
"Most likely. Come this way" doubling
cleyerly. 81 don't want to be greet ID as
somebody else, and have to make explana-
tons"
They reached the door. A commission
aire standing there turned round, saluting
respectfully:
Carriage, my lord?" he asked.
St. John started, andlOOked at the man in
surprise.
mo; hanson" he answered.
'IIansom-mp
"Why, in the name of wonder" said St.
John, as the man ran ont on the pavement,
''did the fellow tip me my lOrd'P'
II don't know said Heartsease, laugh
ing; "but you certainly seem to be taken
for some important parsonage tonight"
The hanson came up, st. John handed
his companion in, and as he followed, re-
warded the commissi0naire with shilling.
That functionary did not put the usual
question, "Where toy H. was discreet.
But his discretion made S:.JOhn bite his lip
hard,
Had he done right in bringing Heartsease
here tonight?
He leaned back with very clouded brow
as the hanson drove off, but the cloud soon
cleared; the danger was past now, No real
harm was done, and II artsease was close
by his side,
He wished the distance home had been
double; Keppel-street was reached all too
soon.
Katie met them at the door, and st. John
saw Heartsease give her sister quick, anx-
iOus, questioning look, and caught Katie's
half-whispered answer, Mono letter." re-
ferrlng evidently TO some special letter that