San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-13

anu Gnlllp was growing restless under
confinement, when Isaac brought him a
letter that had been sent OH by the colo
mel. He instantly recognized the writ
ing of the Bathursts' solicitor, with
whom he had kept up communication.
Eagerly he tore it open, and read these
brief sentences:
"MY DEAR Mr.. PHILIP:-YOur uncle has had
fit. He is much enfeebled. He has for the
first time made inquiry respecting you The
doctor says it is doubtful IL he can live six
months. Come back at once, you ought not to
he so far away. From what ] can Judge, am
sure he is sOfteninR toward you. Come. In
haste mail just starting, yours faithfully,
EDWARD LAURIE"
Isaac exclaimed Philip, rising up,
wound or no. | must get back to
Shady Creek, and from thence to Eng
land
"Englandr'
Yes, my uncle is i'll. The solicitor
recalls me. | must lose no time. Pray
procure me a horse. My gold l will
leave in your care
Your gold you will take With YOU"
answered the Jew. IF you are fit to
travel you are not fit to do so alone. |
shall go too"
Philip grasped his hand.
You are friend indeed, " he ejacu-
lated.
Isaac Lewis made no rejoinder, but
fastened from the tent.
He had soon everything prepared, but
so secretly that none but two or three
knew Of the projected departure; for
the Jew said, as they had failed to Sc
cure the villains who had fired the tent,
they might, for all they knew, be hover
ing somewhere in the ranges, and
ify,t lin in 20 ho ~
Thus, at about midnight, when all
was still, and the moon only beginning
to throw silvery lines down the hillside,
Philip Bathurst quilted the camp, pro-
ceeding to clump of trees by the river,
where Isaac Lewis waited with the
loaded horses.
Before dawn they were far on their
way to Shady Creek.
There are few medicines as efficacious
as good news.
Philip, in the thought of again see
ing Flo, felt little of his wound. Be-
sides, how bright, possibly, now was
his future. 1t must not be imagined
that he, even remotely, rejoiced that
his uncle'S days were numbered. He,
indeed, prayed that they were not; but,
if he would only once more acknowl-
edge him as his heir, then there would
be no need to dig up fortune before
Colonel Granger would consent to his
marriage with his niece.
On the morning of their arrival at the
station, Flo sat at work in the verandah
with her aunt, while Herbert Archer
stood near in conversation, Ticking his
boot with his riding whip and his dark
eyes fixed on Flo, watching the delicate
curve of her throat, the rose flush on
her cheek.
After he had won her pity, and his
rival had departed, he had been fire.
quent guest at the station.
His manner, however, had been so
respectful and unObtrusive, that any
awkwardness Flo had felt soon wore
off, and she experienced for him a
greater regard than she had ever done
before.
Herbert Archer was not slow to per-
ceive this and to work upon it, taking
care to make her fearless in his pres
ence under the belief that he had con-
quered that love which, in truth, was
consuming him as furnace the re-
ceptacle in which it burns.
Even at the present moment wild
mad thoughts passed through his brain
of seizing her in his arms, carrying her
to where his horse stood at the gate,
and escaping into the bush.
Better wait for Mat, "he said mental
if he hasn't done it already, and my
care to dispute, to six foot OF earth"
At that very moment, Mrs. Crane,
throwing her head up, and holding her
needle high to thread it, exclaimed:
FLO, see on the hill yonder; are not
those visitors coming to the statiOn?"
"They are two horsemen coming this
way, auntie; but whether especially
visitors | cannot say"
They are riding fast" put in Her
bert Archer, as Flo, rising, stood by his
side.
With the interest of those who live
in solitary bush stations, the three
watched the two rapidly approaching.
Suddenly, almost instantaneously, a
change came over the features of Flo
and Herbert Archer; both Of surprise,
but one of joy, the other of fury
Eagerly the girl leaned forward, and
then cried:
1T is! it isl Oh, it is, auntie. See,
he is waving his hat. 1t is Philip. Let
us meet him."
Not waiting for their reply, light as
bird, she ran from the verandah to
the gate.
1T is he, curse him!" muttered Her
bert Archer between his teeth; then
with bitter smile he added 81 will
say good-morning, Mrs. Crane; / feel
| should be de trop at this happy meet
ing;nn 3D. - ,,,, , ,.osoo.o, ,,.
Crane. "Ah, he'd have been the man
for my money. So noble, and has taken
his disappointment so we'll"
Herbert Archer strobe to the gate
and mounted his horse.
miss Granger, he said, in low
tone, "yOu will pardon my going. l
could not bear to see you meet"
She had no words to speak, but ex-
tended her hand with a glance Of COM
passionate kindness. He took it, and,
bending, touched his lips to it.
~ would give all possess-nay, life
ITSELF" he exclaimed, fervently, ito be
Philip Bathurst at this moment"
Then he rode quickly off down the
road, a dark frown on his face as he
muttered:
"What does Mat mean by having let
this man return here alive? Confound
him he shall answer to me for this"
"Philipin
"My darling!"
That was for moment all they said,
as he clasped her to his heart, Isaac
Lewis having taken the horses round
to the stable. Then CONSERVATION came
into her eyes as she exclaimed
But, oh, my Philip, you are i'll. Your
face is pale and thin"
L.. L..
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