San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-21
CHAPTER III.

The VennimOres did not leave Rich
mOnd for month after the evening
when Jessie had so narrowly escaped
meeting Rex at The POplarS. During
that month, in spite of her better judg-
ment, Jessie allowed Audrey to win
her way into her favor.
She was still jealous at times of BOb's
interest in his sisters friend, but she
began to think her jealousy unjust, and
tried hard to Stifle it.
She found Audrey a great comfort,
for she engaged all ReX's attention
when she was present, and often made
opportunities for Bob and Jessie to
meet, so that they got to look upon her
as their best friend, while at heart she
was their greatest enemy. So skillful
was she in assimilation that she kept
up the illusion until the last day of Jes-
sizes stay in Richmond.
Jessie left Audrey with the under
standing that she would forward, under
cover of her own, all letters to Dr. Ray
nor, who, though he deSpiSed himself
for the deceit, found it was his only
chance of corresponding with his darl-
ing, for Mrs. NennimOre had forbidden
her niece to receive or send letters to
DR.. RaynOr.
One month had gone out of the seven
that lay between Jessie and independ-
ence, and SO far nothing had come be-
tween the lovers, and Jessie found her
self placidly enjoying the change of
travel.
Her cousin had sensibly discontinued
his fierce lOve-making and allowed her
to drift into false security. 1t was
the lull before the storm. JeSSe's tran
plIiIity u1G soon 70 no hrplyan nm
The NennlmOreS were staying in the
Highlands.
One day, when out with Jessie, Rex
entertained her by repeating old tradi-
tiOnS of featS and rites held by the
Iiighlanders on their favOrite feast-day,
the first of May.
The starry grass of the ParnaSsuS,
the warm purple of the original rocks
showing here and there through the
green and crimson MOSES, the blue
miSts that yelled the mountain-tops,
the tranquil beauty of the lake that
washed their feet, all charmed Jessie
and lifted her mind above the Hill of
God" to the Creator.
\ wish rose warmly i'll her heart that
Bob were there to share her pleasure,
and speaking aloud out of the fullneSs
of her heart, Jessie said:
Il will spend my honeymoon here, if
ever have one; it is grand place.
80 you shall spend your honeymoon
here, cousin. promise you that"
You will not have voice in the
matter" answered Jessie, angry with
herself for allowing her thoughts TO find
voice. Then, seeing her cousins face
darken, she said. looking up at the
gushing torrent as it came leaping over
and under huge masses of stone which
were picturesquely adorned by a wealth
of wild vegetation: "ShOw me which is
the crag they call M'GregOr's Shield"
As she spoke large drop of rain fell
upon her upturned face.
They were some considerable dis
lance from their hotel.
A morose Highlander, whom Rex had
recently engaged as his body-servant
and who was now their guide, ventured
to remark that they had better hasten
to the nearest shelter, for violent
storm threatened.
An exultant look came into Rex's
face, and he said in an undert0ne that
Sandy alone could hear:
The very elements lend me their
help. This storm is a safe excuse. Are
you sure you can rely upon your
friends?"
"Quite sure, sir. You have but to
make a bold stroke and she is yours.
"Oh, Rex, this is awful | am wet
through, and we are so far from home.
What shall we do? We cannot 90 on.
am blinded and dazed by the tempest.
Hank how the thunder peals, and see
the lightning flash through the mists."
Don't be alarmed child. l never
thought you could be such an arrant
coward. Shady tells me he has some
friends quite near who keep a sort of
half-farmhOuse, half-inn. We must go
to them and wait till the storm has
passed"
The lower ridges of the mountain
were enveloped in mists, the rain pelted
down furiously. Jessie allowed herself
to be led blindly on, her pony stumbling
at every step. After travelling some
little distance the party came upon a
quaint, low-roofed house, with an an
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