San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-13
A MAID Fo9LORN.
BY THE DUCHESS.


turns R5nn p. gratefully. throwing her
arms round her sister. do you know.
Cissy, What : your principal charm?
You always know just what is the right
thing tO.S;Iy."
ROnnie's SurmiSeS prove trne. The
very next morn NJ brings Mr.. Craven
again to BrdnGSmere; and for the mat
ter of that every other morning sees
him theIs1 tOO-Lntil d week has passed
over then heads.
The day IS lovely-cle%r AMI bright,
and full of sunshine. All sign of snow
is gone from the ground: only thin
sparkling frost. that sits lightly on tree
and shrub. makes one certain It is win
ter still, and not early spring. From
the sea comes upa .ng-sad. but
sweet. A few birds. taking courage
from the calmness OF day and the
warmth of the welcome god of light,
who, up above in the blue heavens. sits
enthroned, "diffusing radiant bliss
around" hop from bOugh to bOugh on
the bare trees, and twltter meek little
songs, as though half AFRAID of their
own temerIty.
Indoors the fires are burning brightly.
The logs are cracking on the top of
Goals; the great white Persian cat is
blinking laZily on the hearth-Tug, and
pretty Cecil, with a huge black fan in
her hand, is sitting on the rug too, her
head resting against her mother knee.
Ii is now the seventh day since her
return home, and they are all sitting in
the small mOrning-rUOm- the room i'll
the house they most affect. 1t IS 50 snug
and cOZys-with ID Ike Craven III their
midst. bat as near to Cecil as CIrcum-
stances WILL permit.
BY the bye" SAYS Craven, suddenly,
dp,OpOS OF sOmelh ~ just said by Ron
ME, the Major Is Will me again, Ill
spite of his dread Oi that awful ghost
he encounlercI some days &G0. lie las
heard OF NO"r nav.ng taken up your
residence lele, Mrs. Rivers, and declar-
ed his intention, THIS morning al break
last, of calling upon you without loss
OF t.ine. SnUdlun Wonder if he came
to-day"
Odd Horror" says Rome, irrever-
emily.
III he Anew he was going to encounter
his ghost face 10 face. don't believe
he would be IN such hurry to CALL"
continues Mr.. Craven, smiling at CIsSy,
who SUI lss back at INN, anu says, with
affected lear
An. H. he had found me substantial
flesh and blOUd that II ght instead of
barren bones. what ShOu.d 1 nave done?
Il know what Shudld have done"
says ROME. c.ouSly. III he had
caught nts Oh thdt occasion, | should
have beaten HIM black and blue. Death
would have been his portion that night.
lie SHOULD never, W III my consent, have
lived to tell he laie."
she looks such "A ridiculously fragile
creature to be the author of this awful
speech that everyone lau riS.
Il dont think even the Major would
be afraidpi you, REMARKS Craven. "DO
you know, l III not sure why l think it,
but IL seems 10 me that JerylS is rather
put out al your settling down here
he Is Spea.>.llS now IN d low confidential
tone 10 The girls alone. Mrs. Rivers hay
ing gone1ntO the next room 10 write a
letter. SHE appeared disconnected
when he. spoke OF Your being here,
though Why can't imagine"
Al this both z rls exchange glances;
the glances mean: All. D.dn | tell
you so. lie is MarlI's young mani
However, ne as such grumpy Old
chap always, 1 dare say It WAS lulagiIII-
ton Oh my part thinking So" Craven
goes on, carelessiy. Miss Cecil. d d
you really mean II. The other Jay, when
you said Sou auured honey. Because
Mrs. Richards cant fancy now she
knew Of your love IOr it-,ieSIred me 10
tell you th $ afternoon She has more
than she Knows wn.it TO 10 wiIu, and
wants To know If she may send You
some"
Did she really say that" asks Cecil
eagerly. Nov ISu., she an old dearp
Give hcf MY I've. lle.,Sc, Mr.. Craven,
and say she n...y s.Iu me some honey
as soon as ever she likes. and tell her.
too, shall give her II kiss for i the
very next moment we meet"
Happy Richards" says Mr.. Craven.
in low tone. with an Understandable
glance that is h"lf amused. and half
earnest. and wholly loving.
Ronnie laughs: and then. Mrs. II verS
returning 20 the room. Craven rises and
takes Il s:deDarture. lie has not been
gone hnlfan l.Our when the servant an
nounces-k Maj r Jervis."
Mrs. Rivers. rising. rece YES him very
courteoltsiy, and the girls give him
their hands with a passably good grace.
Had No idea until the day before
yesterdaydhat you ami the Young ladies
had cometo res de down here" begins
the Major. when he has enscOnced h m
self in the most comfortable chair in
the room and drawn h mself close IIp to
the fire. He always calls the . rls the
young ladies'" In ROnnie's int nSe dis
gust.
I'VE rather t red of town life" saws
Mrs. Rivers, finding she must say some
thug