San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-12-15

wondering what she sees in those endless
waves to bring that wistful expression to
her pretty eyes and that sudden culver
to the parted lips. And she--oh, sad to
tcIll--has for the moment forgotten his
existence, which accounts for the start
that recalls her TO present company as he
speaks.
"Have you quite made up your mind to
go back TO town to moTTowi" he asks, as
prelude to what he means to lead up to
proposal.
Yes, indeed" was the reply. II have
taken a very long holday-nearly six
weeks. Here we are in September. l
must begin work again at once, or shall
he getting into Mr.. Brevet's black books,
not to speak of Signor Brunetti. l have
much to do before the winter season COM
mences."
There is pause. He finds conversa-
ton an uphill affair TO day.
do you care for the life you leadf
That sounds rather an impertinent ques-
ton, but hope we are friends enough to
allow Of something beyond CONVENTIONAL
ties between US. l know most women
would declare themselves more than con-
tent with your brilliant present and pros
poets, and, certainly, the career Of
prina d0nna is enviable in way; it must
he paradise to a small material mind set
on vanity in all its forms. But you are
not like any other woman l have ever
met. You are not vain, you are not a
lover of luxuries, the worship which waits
to make you its object does not turn your
head. You can see London at your feet
and yet remain calm
"Oh, you do not know me, Captain New
en-. do heartily enjoy my success, and
do not think / could, of my own free
will, abandon the career Of singer for
anything under the SUM- replies Fleur
de Marie candidly. smiling down calmly
into his upturned face in which there is
so much for her eyes to read if she could.
mo" she repeats softly, as if some
question within her had risen to confront
her-'.no, do not think 1 could leave
the stage now with my foot scarcely firm
on the first step of flames ladder, not for
anything"
He draws himself up close to her chair
and resting on his elbows, whispers al
most inaudibly:
'.Or for any one2"
But her quiet blue eyes are looking out
dreamily over the suulit sea, and her
thoughts are as far away. So she an
swers in the same half mechanical tone:
"Or anyone"
She is thinking, perhaps, that the one
for whom she would willingly make any
sacrifice would never demand it even if
he loved her, which he does nOt-at least
not now.
A hand is laid gently on her own that
lies in her lap.
She starts aud draws back. flushing in
dignanly as she rises 10 her feet.
But something in the face of the man
who had dared such liberty arrests her
steps.
Il was fool enough to hatter myself you
would do Us much for me. | would sac
rifce wealth, position. everything in your
service. Have | been willfuIly blind or
have you willingly deceived met Am 1
fool or are you Il coIuette, a. cruel as
coldT
He springs to her side and sezcs one of
her hands almost rudcly.
She is too utterly surprised TO withdraw
it.
"Tell me, swear to me by all that is
holy that you knew not that l loved your
"You forget your manners, Captain
Newen," is the cold reply, "but 1 shall
answer your question, after which I hope
you will detain me no longer. was quite
ignorant of the nature of yOur-yOur feel
ings towards me, or. believe me, should
sooner have put stop to our constant
companionship. Indeed, / am very, very
grieved and sorry about it. You always
were so frank and pleasant with me that
l never doubted you were more, or wished
to be more, than friend, and / am so
disappointed 1t always is so. l must
not have any friends, it seems, for l lose
them all just when / am beginning to
value them most"
She is standing with face averted, I'M
consciously tracing name on the sand
with her parasol.
He, too, is watching her. but without
particular attention. being self absorbed
and blind for the moment to outside
things.
Suddenly, as he absently follows her
action with his eyes, lie secs the word re-
solve itself into A b r l, and then she,
too, comes back TO reality, and, remem-
boring she is not alone, hurriedly obliter-
ates those five foolish letters, and glances
aside under her dropping lashes to make
sure he has not guessed at the rest.
Their eyes meet.
so that is my rival, Fleur de Marier
She does not answer. only looks down
with heightened color at the place where
those letters were traced.
~ am glad to know that you are not
Free" her companion resumes, after a
long never-to-be-f forgotten pause, "be-
cause might have nourished possibly a
secret hope of some different reception in
q time to come. Now / can understand
-" Tn.
"But, indeed interrupted Fleur de
Marie, with crimson cheeks and trouble
averted eyes, II am-that is-I never
said I was not free. l am quite unfet-
tered by any engagement. Why should
you suppose that l am bound to another
that you have a rivalf"
"You did not contradict me just now.
mademoiselle, when l pointed to those
letters GU the sand and said, That is my
rival Gabriel! ! guessed it long ago,
and then ceased to think so, never Sec
ing you together"
~ am not bound to Gabriel. I am
nothing IN him" she answered with n