San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-08-31
".

Nv.
That man of CaTiston's rank, breeding
and refinement should meet his fate within
the walls of a lonely farmhouse, beyond the
TrOsSachS, seems incredible. One would
scarcely expect to find among such humble
surroundings a wife suitable to man of his
stamp. And yet when saw the woman who
had won him l neither wondered at the con-
quest nor did blanc hun for weakness.
made the great discovery on the morning
after my arrival. Eager to taste the fresh
ness of the morning air, rose betimeS and
went for short stroll. / returned, and
whilst standing at the door of the house, was
positively startled by the beauty of a girl
who passed me and entered, as if she were
regular inhabitant of the place. Not rosy
Scotch laSSie, such as one would expect to
find indigenous to the soil; but a slim, grace
full girl with delicate classical features. A
girl with a mass OF knOtted light hair yet
with the apparent anomaly, dark eyes, eye
laSheS, and eyebrOwS-a combination which,
TO my mind, makes a style of beauty rare,
irresistible, and dangerous above all Others.
The features which filled the exquisite oval
of her face were refined and faulteSs. Her
complexion was pale, but its pallor limo way
suggested anything save perfect health. To
cut my enthusiastic description short may
at once say it has never been my good for
tune to cast my eyes on a lOyelier creature
than this young girl.
Although her dress was of the planest and
simplest description, no one could have mis-
taken her for servant; and much as l adj
mre the bOnny, healthy Scotch country las
sic, felt sure that mountain air had never
reared being of this ethereally beautiful
type. As she passed me | raised my hat in
Stinctvely. She gracefully bent her golden
head, and babe me quiet but unembarrassed
gOOd-mOrning. My eyes followed her until
she vanished at the end of the dark passage
which led TO the back of the house.
Even during the brief glimpse enjoyed of
this fair unknown strange idea occurred to
me. There was remarkable likeness be-
tween her delicate features and those, scarce
" less delicate, of CarriStOn. This reSem-
blance may have added to the interest the
girls appearance awOke in my mind. Any
way | entered our sittingrOOm and a prey
to curiosity and, perhaps, hunger, awaited
with much Impotence the appearance Of
CarrstOn-and breakfast.
The former arrived first Generally speak
ing he was afOot long before was, but this
morning we had reversed the usual order of
things. As soon as | saw him | cried
'Carriston, tell me at once who is the love
ly girl met outside. An angel with dark
eyes and golden hair. Is she staying here
like OurSeves?'
A look of pleasure flashed into his eyes-a
look which pretty well told me everything.
Nevertheless he answered as carel'SSIy as IL
such lovely young women were as common
to the mountain SIZE as rocks anu DraIhDieS'
Il expect you mean Miss hoWail'a niece
of our worthy lahdlady. ohe lives WIN
her
sIIalf and half, Her father was called an
Englishman: but was. | believe, of French
extraction. They say the name was origi-
naIIv Rohan."
CarriStOn seemed to have made close in
ouiries as to Miss ROwan's parentage.
'But what brings her here?' asked.
..Sba has nowhere else IN On Rowan was
an artist He married sister of our hostess,
and hore her away from her native land
some wears ago She died. leaving this one
daughter Last wear the father died nenni-
Ioss tho,, toll mo co tho girl hos sinoa tbo,,
lived with her orly relative her amt"
il,eu WIN io' o,'' i'i'''''' noi aunt
WEN sald' as you seem 10 know all
about her. you can introduce me by ana BY"
with the greatest pleasure, if Miss Rowan
permits" said Carriston. was glad to hear
him give the conditional promise with as
much respect to the lady's wishes as if she
had been duchess.
Then, with the liberty close friend may
take, drew toward me portfolio, full, l
of sketches of surrounding scenery.
To my surprise CarristOn jumped up hastily
and snatched il from me. They are too bad