San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-09-20

heT arms round her neck and kisses her
softly. As she does so, tear falls
from her eyes upon DOTa's cheek.
There is so much sweetness and aban-
dOnment of self in his action that Do
IA for the moment is touched by it.
She puts up her hand; and, wiping
away the tear from her cheek rs
though it burns her. says lightly
But indeed, my dearest Flo, you
must not imagine anything. All is
vague. | hardly know what it is to
which ] am abiding. Tribes light as
air float through my brain, and glad
den me in spite of my common sense,
which whispers that they mean moth
ing. Do not build castles for me that
may have their existence only en- ES-
payne" ~
"They seem very bright castles" OBJ
serves Florence wistfully.
a bad omen. All that's bright
must fade sings the poet. And now
to speak of yourself. You enjoyed
yOurself?"
"Of e"-mechanically.
"Ah, yes; | was glad to see you had
made it up with poor Arthur Dyne-
COURT"
How" demands Florence, turning
upon her quickly.
Il saw you dancing with him, dear
est; was with Sir Adrian at the time,
and from something he said, l think he
would be rather pleased if you could
bring yourself to reward poor Arthur's
long devotion"
"Sir Adrian said that? He discussed
me with your"
Just in passing, you understand.
He told me too that you were some
what unhappy in the earlier part of the
evening, and that he had to stay con-
siderable time with you to restore you
to calmness. He is always so kind,
dear Adrian!"
"He spoke of that?o demands Flor
ence, in tone of anguish. If he had
made her emotion a subject of common
talk with Mrs. Talbot, all indeed is at
an end between them, even that sweet
visionary offer of friendship he had
made to her. No; she could not sub
nit to be talked about by him, and the
woman he loves! Oh; the bitter pang
it costs her to say these words to her.
self! That he now loves Dora seems to
her mind beyond dispute. Is she not
his confidante, the one in whom he
chooses to repOSe all his secret thoughts
and SurmiSeS?
Dora regards her cousin keenly.
FlOrence's evident agitation makes her
fea7 that there was more in that tete-d
tete with Sir Adrian than she had at
first imagined.
"Yes; why should he not speak of
it?" Dora goes on cOldly. 81 think by
his manner your want of seIf-controI
shocked him. You should have a
greater command over yourself. 1t is
not good form to betray ones feelings
to every chance paSSer-by. Yes; l
think Sir Adrian was both surprised
and astOnished."
There was nothing to cause him
either surprise or astOnishment,"' says
Florence haughtily; "and l could well
have wished him out of the wayl"
perhaps | misunderstood him." re-
joins Dora artfully. But certainly he
spoke to me of being unpleasantly de-
layed by-by impossible peOple-thOse
were his very words; and really alto
gether-I may be wrOng-I believe he
alluded to you. OF course, would not
follow the matter up, because, much as
like Sir Adrian, could not listen to
him speaking so lightly of you!"
"Of me-yOu forget yourself, DOral"
cries Florence, with pale lips, but head
erect. Speaking lightly of mel" she
repeats.
young men are often careless In
their language" explains Dora hur-
riedly, feeling she had gone too far.
"IIe meant nothing unkind, you may
be surel"
81 am quite srlre"-frmly.
Then no harm is done"-smiling
brightly. And now, goodnight, dear
est; go to bed instead of sitting there
looking like ghost in those mystical
moOnbeamS."
Goodnight" says Florence icily.
There is something about her that
causes Mrs. Talbot to feel almost
afraid to approach and kiss her as
usual.
want of rest will spoil your lovely
eyes," adds the widow airily; land your
complexion, faultleSs as it always is,
will not be up to the mark tomorrow.
So sleep, foolish child, and gather roses
from your slumbers."
So saying, she kisses her hand gayly
to the unresponsive Florence, and trips
lightly from the room.
CJApUrER