San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-08-23
This story was commenced August III
TN CUPID'S NET.
BY BERTHA NJ CLAY AUTHOR OF "DIANA's
DISCIPLINE" "a BROKEN WEDDING
RING" ''THORNs AND ORANGE
BLOSSOMS" DORA THORNE,"
&C. &C.
CHAPTER w.


blow was coming, felt; but did not dream
in what manner 1t would fall.
Come with me quickly" she said. 81
am sure that he wants to speak; but can
not understand him"
"WhO wants to speak?' | asked.
"The Squire" she replied. "Oh, Gracia,
do you not knowp The Squire has been
thrown from his horse into the river, and he
is dyingp'
Dying! Oh, Heaven! And with closed
lips-lips that might never utter another
world
The ruddy light, the dark branches of the
cedar, the white faces of the men, all SEEM
ed to mingle, and | fell forward upon the
grass. The blow TO my hopes was terrible.
] had expected to hear my story that night
and the only lips that could tell it to me were
closing in DEATH
Presently the giddiness passed off, and
rose to my feet Mrs. Paterson looked at me
with evident diSpleaSure.
This will not do, Gracia," she said severe
ly. Il come TO ask you to help me, and you
give way to your feelings"
~ was so shocked and startled, answer
ed cOnfuSedly.
80 was |, she said; but did not faint.
You must come with me, GTacia. You Will
understand the Squire better than any of us
can. lie has talked so much to you"
But" | cried, Selling her hands in my
agitation, "he is not dying-Oh, surely-sure-
ly not dyingv'
81 am afraid so, " she answered mOurnfully.
felt stunned. 1t could not bet could
not possibly be that he was dying with my
story untold. Poor miserable me! After all
my hopes, to be so cruelty disappointed! 1t
was more bitter than death. Alas for my
sweet fancies! | should never know now
the clasp of mothers arms or tile sound Of
q fathers voice.
Gomez said Mrs. Paterson.
How did it happenT' asked, as we walk
ed slowly up the grand staircase.
mo one knows" was the answer. THE
Squire tried to cross the river near the ford
ing-stOneS instead of passing over the bridge
The grOOms think that Black Prince SHE'D at
the stones. Any way, he flung the master
there. The doctors say the Squire must have
been lying there at least two hours"
ale fell into the water them" | cried.
mo, he was thrown upon the stones, but
the water reached him. None of us knew
anything of the accident until Black Prince
came home without his master. Then we
felt that something serious had happened
Some of the men-ServantS went out TO look
for their MASTER and they met a labOring-
man running to the Hall to tell us that the
Squire was lying on the tOrding-stOnes. They
went there directly, and found that he was
still alive, and they brought him home. The
doctors from HerOnSdale are still with him;
but they say they can do nothing. He is be-
yOnd mortal help-the poor squirrel!
Mrs Paterson went into the room first,
and had some conversation with the doctors.
Then they both came out into the corridor,
looking very grave.
There is no hope" said One-DOctOr Ben
son of HerOnSdalC at is useless for us to
remain; still we Will stay II you wish II"
"Oh, do, sir!' sobbed Mrs. Paterson. ut
seems such a sad thing for the poor gentle
man to die without kith or kin near him."
HAS he no relatiyeSY' asked Doctor Lyons,
who was IA newcomer.
"SOme very distant OneS-the CarylS; but
all know of them is that they are not in
England just now. ] heard the Squire say
SO one day"
ale has been making desperate efforts to
speak" said Doctor yOnS. Il suppose you
have no idea what he wantS?'
NO" the hOusekeeper replied.
do you know If he has made his~will?"
was the next question.
Yes" was the answer; "hC made 1t this
morning. He sent for the butler and for me,
and asked us both TO witness il"
Then wonder what it is that he Is try
ing to say" said the doctor.
81 think | know" | interpOSed. This
afternoon the Squire told me that he wished
to see me in the library tonight for he had
knows my history, and he said that he would
tell it to me this evening"
Poor childr' said Doctor Lyons. HE
will take that story with him into another
world; he will never tell it in this"
DO not cried, ''let him die until he has
told mel He said that there was great
wrong to be set right"
ut is too late" answered Doctor Lyons
gravely; The will set no wrong right now.
Was 1t Of vital consequence to yOuT" he
asked.
"He Is the only person who knows any
thing about me, who can tell me my name
and who | am"
Come into the ROOM" said Doctor Lyons.
"Perhaps it is of you he is trying to speak"
We entered the apartment together the
doctors to watch the effect Of my presence,
to see II it were indeed too late. On the
great state bed lay the Squire but so chang
ed--so, changed! One would hardly have
recognized him. The blue eyes were closed,
and the gray shadow of death lay over his
face. All, why was it that when l saw him
so my heart melted within me? l forgot the
doctors and the housekeeper; forgot every
thing except that the only man in the world
who had ever spoken kindly to me lay there
burst into passionate hit of weeping.
Hush, Gracia," said the housekeeper;
''yOu will disturb himp'
The Squire must have heard the name, for
he opened his eyes. He knew me; his dying
eyes rested on my face with look that must
haunt me until my own closed for ever-a
look OF intense love and longing l turned
my head away, sick at heart. 1t was gaze
no one could bear unmoyed.
"He knows you" said Doctor Lyons.
All, yes, he knew mel He tried to hold
out his poor feeble hands, but they dropped
upon the cOverlet.
Speak to him." said the doctor.
esquire" said, "do you know me?'
All, yes, there was not doubt of it! There
was faint flash in his eyes; a slight tinge of
color came into his face. / took one of his
hands in mine, but it was deathly cold. He
knew me, for he made terrible effort to
speak to me. lie tried so hard TO utter one
word, while we, all pOwerleSS TO help him,
stood round.
At last | took courage. l bent over him
and whispered in his ear
Squire, is i of me-is 1t of Gracia you
wish to speakp'
The poor lips parted and moved, but no
sound came from them.
You want to tell me who / amp / said
eagerly.
Again he made desperate effort to speak;
II was in vain. He sank back with an air Of
exhaustion and despair. In my anguish
turned to Doctor Lyons.
"Can you not give him anything to restore
his power Of speechgs' asked quickly.
NO" he answered gravely. "He is quite
conscious; but he will never speak again"
1T is a great trouble to yOu," said Doctor
Lyons, looking compassiOnatly at me.
"Greater than death ITSELF" l answered.
knew that the dying man heard me by
the panied expression that came over his
face. He made another great effort, and
drew me TO him. All, why why did his
hand seek my face and my hair? What in
stinct made me kiss it, even while my tears
fell fast upon it?
',If he could only speak to mer' cried
eff he could but speak! One word would
change the whole world to me and he meant
to tel me all tO-nightp'
Then bethOught myself that was allow