San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-20

| IL is a cold evening toward the end of Jan
uaTy, the slanting rays of the winter sun are
Illuminating the windows and wall of the
old brick parsonage, ii is almost time for II
to wholly disappear but its last rays are still
lingering as though lOath TO leave the bright
snow clad earth. Listen! even now one can
hear the old clock in the minister's study
-twO-three-fOuT-five Now il
has ceased and there is no sound save the loud
purring of the huge grey cat on the hearth.
Push aside these yellow vines, which cius.
ter so thickly about the window, and you
can look into the study. Such a snug coy
little room, with its huge fire place, faded
carpet, and rubbed old leather furniture which
looks as though it might have served in the
year one. The book case with its cracked
| glass doors and rusty volumes of sermons
and essays with here and there a stray poet
intermingled, the minister's desk with pens,
ink and pen-wiper all by loving hands ar
ranged, and the tiny centre table on which
Jeremy Taylor" The Pilgrims Progress"
and volume of Shakespeare Respondent in
blue and gold, stand out in bold relief. There
Is little worn piano standing open, with
music lying loose about it, for the most part
old time songs, which the world is trying to
do away with nowadays.
| Drawn close before the fire in the minister
| old arm chair in which he had written his
sermons for the last twenty years, girl is
| sitting. As she is my heroine must try and
give truthful picture of her She had a
| head that a Greek sculptor might have en-
| WED, and 1t is thickly covered with soft gold
bronze locks, that lie in loving little curls
about her low, broad forehead. Her eyes, we
can not see very much of them truly, so
| heavily are they shaded by their long black
| laSheS as she bends over her book, Just now
she lifts them to glance out of the window
and one can see they are very large dark and
dreamy-Of that indeScrbahle, changeful color
so changeful that we hardly know what
name to give them. Her complexion too, is
exquisite, not lily fair, but of soft creamy
hue with flashes of bright carnatiOn color
which come and 90 as she speaks-yes my
Eleanor is very beautiful.
There is an indOlent careless expression
on her face as she turns the pages of her
book. No volume of sermons but a yellow
backed novel of doubtful origin.
The door opens nOiselessly, and a pretty
little maiden of some five summers comes
into the room and creeping up to the girl
lays one tiny hand upon her arm.
HAS mamma come yet AuntyY'
Not yet" answers the girl laying down
her book with yawn.
The child says no more but continues to
gaze at her with earnest intentneSS
What are you thinking about Daisy?"
questions her aunt after she has borne this
close scrutiny for at least five minutes.
81 was thinking how beautiful you are"
answers the little one with chd-like candor.
Don't you think SOP
You shouldn't ask me such questions
Daisy"
But don't your insists the child.
The faintest perceptible fash of color
sweeps over the girls face for moment,
then she answers half lazily.
''Oh yes, Daisy since you want an honest
confession think Pm ever so pretty, there
are you satisfied little truthful?'
Before Miss Daisy can reply, the door
opens and a lady wrapped in heavy furs EN-.
ters at the sight of whom the child PUSHES
forward with a joyous cry Of mamma mann
ma" and filings herself head-lOng into her
arms.
Gently, gently my darling, you are tear
ing my dress let mamma go to the fire and get
warm. What Nelly, dreaming as usual?
She had seated herStlf close to her sister
and thrown Off her fuIS, bright pretty face
with crisp, dark hair and laughing brown
eyes.
"NO-nOt dreaming"
"YOu should have been with me, | have
had such a glorious walk, it is just freezing
out doors"
81 don't like freezing weather"
What do You like anyway. Nothing very
much in my OpniOnY
Eleanor smiles, but does not answer.
"You do look so abOminably lazy" goes
on her sister drawing OFT her gloves in
quick, energetic fashion. 81 heard you ex-
actly described this evening""
did your"
YES, some one said to me. How is the lit
tie Dolce far niente.' AT first did not know
of whom they were speaking, but at length
it dawned on me that they meant you"
May ask who they is"'
"If thought you really cared to know,
but you look so Indifferent sitting there with
your eyes shut as if you were going to sleep"
Eleanor opened her eyes with little start
"But l assure you my dear Helen, am
not going to Sleep have no such idea"
Nell it was the Professor" this with
vivid blush).
"Oh," with quick glance at her sister.
What were those funny words you said
Just now mamma? What did they mean%
says Daisy eagerly.
Never mind something you would not
understand"
IL will ask him to tell you and what they
mean next time he comes, Daisy" says
Eleanor gravely. And now go and get
nurca tn smnnth ynur hair tea "
There is silence for few moments. Flea
nor has casped her white hands above her
head, and is regarding her sister intently.
80 you met Professor Parker, this even
ing"
"Yes, he walked with me to the Office.
"Are you going to marry him, Helenr'
"Oh, Nelly, how can you say such a
thing" cries the other reproachfully. Don't
you think would have told you, had any
such idea?'
81 don't know whether you would or not"
at is true cries her sister," kneeling down
by her and leaning her head against her
shoulder. ut is true you make no con-
fident of me, and never tell me anything
about your affairs, yet you know although
am seven years older than you, still al
ways tell you everything, and you, you tell
me nothing"
sFor the best reason In the world, have
never anything to tell"
81 know, we all know, love you far bet
ter than you love me-" continues her sister
gazing tearfully into the fire. "You are such
a cold-hearted, Indifferent creature you don't
care for anyone"
you wrong me, Helen. do love you
very much. don't think its my nature to
love very many people. I'm not amiable like
Won but love YOU and DOME very much