San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-08
CHATTER ".

Herbert Archer. Their hands ClaSped,
for space they were silent in their sur
prise. their eyes speaking. however, a
language more eloquent than words.
is it dream: Can ii be: 1t seems
so wonderful" finally exclaimed Flo.
dream. Pray Heaven. no." eiacu-
lated Philip Bathurst. 1T would be
cruelty indeed again to lose you, Flor
enCe, after all my search
"YOur search? Have you searched
for me then, Philip a pleased tender
light in her eyes.
Have not, dearest? Adelaide and
Melbourne are well acquainted the
name of Granger by this time. New
ertheless, failure pursued me-"
"Ah." she smiled. IF you had only
tried Sydney. But why the need of
search, Philip? left word with Susan
to tell yOu all
Thereby hangs tale, " laughed Phil
ip Bathurst, his heart light enough now
as he ga2pd once more into the face of
his beloved. That very morning after
our last interview, telegram sum-
mOned me to my uncle. who had met
with an accident. and the letter wrote
you under cover to Susan. informing
you of the cause of my absence. fell
somehow into the hands of Miss Dawes
~
"Oh, Philip, never
Its IA fact, and. ha. Ia. ha. what a
COmmOtiOn it created. When | return
ed, and could not see you nor Susan,
who at once had been packed off bag
and baggage. driven TO despair | called
on Miss Dawes, when. after favOring
me with every OpprObriOus epithet IA
lady can use, she showed me to the door
no wiser than when | came"
Poor Philip had | had time to write
| did not know where to address you,
and | was crushed by sorrow. My
father"
Il am aware, dearest" he interrupt
ed, to save her the pain of the recital,
seeing the tears SuffuSing her eyes.
Zone of Miss Dawes's pupils. dark,
lively brunette, divining the truth, took
compassion upon me, and managed to
convey to me the intelligence, and also
your address in London"
That was Maude Pierce" smiled
Flo; 'she used to quiz me numerically
about you, Philip"
Il know she won my warmeSt graft
tude, though the news came too late
On reaching Acknowledgement found
you again flown. All, it is well to laugh
now, but, oh, the misery to me of that
period, darling. All could learn was
that you had gone away with an uncle,
it was believed to Australia"
Poor Philip and inStinCtively the
girl put her glOved hand on his. And
in al this did your love remain mine?'
Flo, can you doubt it, If so, there's
Mark, my foster-brOther, yOnder; he
shall tell you, with unmiStakable proof,
it did. And yours, dearest? You were
so young then, so long a time has
elapsed, our ever meeting again was so
predetermined, and-yOu are so beauti-
full that | have feared, and had terrible
dreams, wherein | saw you anOtheT's.'
Even had that occurred, Philip, as |
confess, once or twice, to please my UNI
Gle and aunt, it might she answered
simply, 'my love would ever have been
yours. But Heaven watched over me-
yes, it must have done-preventing me
taking step l must ever have re-
pented."
Then your affection is still mine,
darling?" he asked eagerly.
''As ever, Philip. Nothing, 1 feel,
can ever alter it."
He raised her little hand passionately
to his lips.
Heaven must have watched over me
also, Flo" he remarked. 1T has helped
me to find you, and to claim you as
mine
AS he spoke change came over his
features; they became grave as he CON
tinued:
That is, if Heaven will yet befriend
me. dearest, and enable me to win the
fortune to maintain wife. Yes, it's
true-dOn't look frightened, but am a
beggar. Mark and | are on our way
even now TO the diggimgS, to wreSt
wealth from the auriferOus earth"
You, Philip, a beggar." she ejacu-
lated.
Yes" he laughed, 1.-The young swell
you knew at Brighton, Flo, who did
nothing to kill time but smoke on the
eSplanade, do little boating and sail
ing, who scented his handkerchief with
milltleur, and wore new pair of gloves
every day, now is compelled to wear
Solomon 'S'ClOthes instead of POOle'S. to
dispense with the Injuries of perfume
and gloves altogether, and instead of
handling an oar, must grasp vigorously
pick and spade, if he would live
'Oh, Philip and the gentle eyes
were full of concern. 'But-n
but told you | was heir to a rich
uncle. So was, Flo; but rich uncles
are arbitrary, and often want too much
their own way. Near his estate was an
other, and Uncle Bathurst, so that the
two should be united, desired me to wed
the heiress. He gave me my choice
the lady, or-disinheritance | confess
| was such lazy, luxurious fellow, that
think | should have sold myself and
taken the lady, had not my guardian
angel, in the remembrance of sweet
dear face | had loved and lost in Brigh-
ton, interpOSed and saved me. SO | ac-
cepted disinheritance, and started for
Australia to make a fortune, and find.
if Fate would be good to meas it has
Miss Florence Granger"
''Qh, Philip!' the girls lips trembled,
and her eyes were bright with tears;
''yOu accepted poverty for my sake2"
Yes, Flo" he laughed, land re-
nOnnced unhappiness for happiness.
Nay, don't pity me; this free life is I'M
commonly jolly. l perfectly revel in
it."
''By Jove, it's all very well to say So"
said Flo, initiating his voice, merry
smile on her lips, but the reality
scarcely comes up to the sentiment"
What, you heard me?" he laughed.
"Ah, but then it was different, dearest.
] had not found you. By the way, you
had companion"
Flo cOlored as she answered:
"a friend-a friend of my uncle's.-
His station is the next to Shady Creek.
But come, Philip" she proceeded, to
prevent the turn the conversation had
taken, II must introduce you to my
uncle and aunt. / can promise him who
saved me from injury, perhaps death,
at Brighton, warm and sincere well
come"
Mark had already ranged alongside of