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

Try to rest. dear, and no one shall
disturb YOU. | promise, wife or no wife.
I'll stand between YOU and the man you
dread So much until You are strong and
well again. Let that content you, for |
can say no more"
Jessie sighed and turned her face to
the wall YEARLY. The summer sun
beams reflected in a glass of water
made dancing waves of light upon the
wall, and caught JeSsie's eyes.
While she watched the golden waves
on the wall an idea came to her to coax
Flora MaCkay to post letter to DIR.
RaynOr. and so summon him to her as
SiStance.
After pretended sleep she reused
herself and asked for her tea. While
taking it she prevailed upon her nurse
to get her Writing materials and con-
sent to post her letter.
She was persuaded only on one COndi-
ton, that was that the letter should be
addressed to lady.
This condition rather bafied Jessie
at first till she thought she could send
to Dr. RaynOr through their mutual
friend Audrey Fisher. Jessie wrote a
letter to that lady desiring her to give
the enclosed long and troubled let
ter to DR.. RaynOr, and entreat him to
come or send at once. as she was in dire
extremity.
The letter to DR.. RaynOr fully ex-
planned her position, and the cOmprO-
missing nature of her surroundings;
very humbly and lovingly she pointed
ont the sCandalOuS construction the
world would put upon her disappear
ance. and with a gentle pride she as
f,,r bot ch.
proof against the unfortunate COmpli-
cation of events which had made her
the victim to her Cousins INSCRIPTIONS
conduct. she would release him from his
engagement without further delay. 1t
was touching, wOmanly letter, full of
heart broken assurances of her love
and chastity.
Flora despatched this epistle by a
trusted ally. and Jessie, with anxious
looks. daily waited a reply. Flora was
as good as her word and kept Rex away
from her, representing that she was
still too ill to bear the excitement of
seeing him.
At last the muCh-desired letter came.
Flora gave it to her, amazed by the in
tense relief the sight of it afforded.
Jessie. recognizing Audrey's writiSS,
felt sure the letter contained prom
Use of speedy rescue, but her face grew
whittier as she read it's contents which
were as follows:
DEAR JEsSIE:-I received your letter and
forwarded the enclosure to DIR. RaynOr as de-
sired. He has met with an accident while rid
ing, and has fractured his leg, so that | could
not see him to give it - him myself. Violet
brought me the reply, which was brief and al
most cruel. | cannot think what you have
done to deserve IT, He said, Tell Jessie ] am
grieved to hear of her unfortunate position;
the remedy lies in her own hands, she has but
one course open to her, that she must see for
herself cannot help her, for all tie was end
ed between us when she, with so little care for
herself or me, put herself in her cousins
power. Tell her send her my best wishes for
her future happiness, and regret the cause of
her breaking trOth. Violet told me, with
tears in her eyes, that her brother was terribly
cut up by your letter, and had sternly forbid
den her ever to mention your name again to
him. He is rapidly recovering from his acci-
dent, and intends to go abroad until his health
is completely restored. Papa and intend to
accompany DIR. RaynOr and Violet, so that IL
would be hardly worth while for you to write
again as might not get the letter With SYM
patty and good wishes for your future happi-
AUDREY FISHER"
With a cry of agony Jessie fell back
in dead faint.
Rex, who was killing time by sketch
ing the view from the sitting-rOOm win
dow, heard the cry, and rushed in to
see Jessie apparently dead and Flora
wild with anxiety.
Quickly taking in the whole situation
he laid Jessie more easily, and dashed
water in her face, and trying to chafe
her hands he discovered tire letter
clenched tightly between her fingers.
He drew it out with an evil look at
Flora, and put it in his pocket.
When the dark eyes Enclosed to life
again, he left Jessie and eagerly read
the letter.
An exultant look flashed to his eyes,
his lips curled scOrnfully as he said
with wicked triumph:
The game is mine; Audrey has kept
her promise. Now to get the girl away
from here. Raynor will be here as fast
as love can speed him. What about
that accident though? That may give
me time. fancy there is truth in that.
Well, won't trust too much to the de-
lay that promises, | can afford to be
more tender with my wilful little gypsy
now that she is NINE"
Where is my letter, Flora? Oh,
where is my letter, | had it in my hand
when tainted? Find it for me, please,
am anxious to destroy it at once"
II can't get it for you. Mr.. Venni-
him for it, not me, :" answered the wOm-
an sullenly, for she knew her lover
would be bitterly angry with her for
allowing her charge to receive a letter.
Her half imbecile old father called
eraway now, and as she passed through
the sitting-roOm, Rex said:
Can go in now, l want to speak to
my wife,"
Yes, sir, you can; but entreat you
to deal kindly with her, for she is too ill
to bear any more trouble"
Jessie lifted her heavy eyes scOrnfully
to her cousins face as he entered, and
took the vacant chair beside the bed.
"'Tis manly thing to do, Rex, to
force your way into sick woman's
room, when you know what dread l
have of your unwelcome visits. You
have read my letter, l suppose, and
have come to gloat over my suffering,
my shame, my bitter humiliation, and
cruel disappointment. The worst you
can do is easily borne now, for | have
suffered the cruellest stab fortune could
afIlict me with, and still live to endure
the torture you can inflict."
"Cheer up, little woman, I'm not quite
the wretch you imagine me. love you
too well, poor darling. to exult over you
now. Try to think a little better of me,
dear; indeed L deserve it. Remember
'all's fair in love and war; and many a
man has perilled his soul to win a
weak woman. Get well, Jess; show
your pride is above succumbing to the
pain this man has brought you. He
ought to have known you too well to
have allowed anything to lessen his
love and trust in you. Forget him and
make me happy; we will be married in
Edinburgh directly you can bear the
journey. My mother will meet you