San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-03

lay bothered him; the game was not
played out yet. and who could tell what
turn tickle fortune might take to defeat
him? So far he had been sue 'esSful,
but looking into Jessie's changed face
he felt his success had been bought at a
cruel cost, and hard and relentless as he
was. he could not stlle IA feeling of
keen self-reprOach, for he spoke truly
when he said he loved his cousin.
lie did love her to the best of his
black hearts ability, loved her and
sinned against all that should appeal to
noble nature; sinned against her
helplesSneSs, her innocence, her happi-
ness, and still dared to say he loved her
No words of reprOach escaped JeS-
sizes lips when she met her aunt's
frightened eyes; she knew how the son
had traded upon the timid, weak ma
ture of his mother, and while she de-
spised she pitied her.
One morning Jessie was reused out
of the deceitful calm that had fallen up
on her by Rex, who said, with forced
bravadO:
Jessie, have made all arrangements
for our marriage, which must take
place next week. DO not make any
fresh obstacles, please, dear; for. in
deed, marriage with me will be your
best policy"
Mrs. Vennimore dropped her book
and looked anXiOusly uD into Jessie's
blanched face. She had risen and faced
her cousin with two words upon her
lips, spoken with hopeless bitterness:
so sOOn!'
MY dear girl, it is better So A pref
ty little scandal is atlOat about our in
nOcent escapade, and to silence it pro-
pose that we are publicly married as
soon as possible
With rush the color flew back to
Jessie's face, the light to her eyes, as
she answered with head erect, swiftly
painting breast, and vivid lips from
which the breath came quickly:
You have indeed cOrnered me. For
the sake of the good old name, you
know | must consent to your terms;
there is no reason now that | should
not, since the only man | love can de-
spise me. But hear and understand me
Clearly-if this marriage takes place, it
will be a marriage OF outward form on
ly, there can be no dear tie of love be-
tween US. shall be your wife in name
only, and shall claim from you only
freedom and absence. The marriage
will make good part of my fortune
yours, the rest will suffice for my needs.
only want TO be free from your cruel
persecution for ever. Your mother
must be witness to this agreement. |
will not reprOach either of you for
wrecking my happy young life, your
own consciences must be my best advo-
Gates. only say, take what you want,
but leave me peace in its stead"
but suppose do not agree to marry
on thnCn farms IpGSia said Row
grasping her hand liercely. and looking
into her proud, defiant eyes; suppose |
refuse to marry you and let the world
say its worst, while | smile on its mis-
taken judgment, and by silence tacitly
give consent to the worst it can believe.
What them"
81 have told you my decision, it is
unalterable. If you cannot accept my
terms | shall return to the convent
school that sheltered and made my
childhood happy. There will be well
come for me there, and the life would
rest me from the world that you have
made wearisome to me. do not care
how you decide; shall be free of you
soon in any case, you know that"
Rex's eyes blazed, the veins swelled
upon his forehead, and his mother, see
ing the storm that was raging within
him, shivered little and crossed to his
side with feeble sigh of intense weari-
ness; laying her thin, white hand upon
his, she said in her tender, quivering
voice:
Accept your only chance, agree to
Jessie's terms; you can make your own
when the law makes you her master.
Do not drive her to desperation. Your
mother never advised you but for your
own good, my son, so listen now, and
curb your evil temper for all our sakes.
Do, Rex; I-yOur mOther-implOre you;
pray let there be peace"
Rex shook off his mothers hand i'm
patiently, and crossed to where Jessie
stood; she had gone to the window to
be out of earshOt, and was looking up
at the big expanse of blue sky, watch
ing bird that seemed to be trying to
outhy the wind cloud. She turned
coldly at the sound of her cousins
voice, which was hOarse and strange.
Jessie, | accept your terms. Shall
appoint Wednesday for our wedding
dayf"
IAN days are alike to me, Wednesday
will do"
Rex was about to turn away when
passion mastered reason, and turning
on her fiercely, he said in an undertOne
of intense appeal:
'Jessie, are you stone to torture
heart that loves you. Must it be always
so with us, have you no pity?"
II have no pity for you, need it all
for myself. 1t must be always so with
us. always till life is ended. All that
was good and tender in me is dead, dead
as my own heart, and you have killed
it."
bling by her side, saying:
"Oh, Jessie! for Gods sake do not
steel your heart against your only
friends"
"Friends!" whispered Jessie, despair
ingly. IF you are my friends, Heaven
send me enemies"