San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-15
A MAID FORLORN.
BY THE DUCHESS.

NttlI. advancing 10 cover lltl NISltI
confusion. greetS him kindly. ROnnIe,
who has turned first pale and then red,
and finally pale again to the very lips,
comes toward him now. and gives him
her hand in silence; then. SUmmOning
all the courage she possesses to her aid,
tells him in a conventional tone that it
is really quite pleasure to see him
again.
This remark is so palpably inSinCere
that the young man she addresses Tor
gets to make any immediate reply. and
only stareS at her i'll a reprOaChtulf fash
ion.
lie is of middle height, with quiet,
kindly expression, and manner pleas
ant. if a little languid. When they
have all seated themselves, he makes
no attempt at promoting conversation,
and even while answering the questions
put to him appears very far away from
Them all in spirit. 1t is quite evident
to Cecil that his thoughts are elsewhere,
and that he is i'll the very lowest OF low
spirits.
Presently she rises, with the express
ed intention of seeking her mother, and,
i'm spite Of bCSrcChlnG glance from
Bonnie. deliberately quits the room.
Almost as the door closes behind her,
Sir Sydney, rising from his seat, goes
over to the hearth-rug, and standing
opposite to Ronnie. leans his arm upon
the mautel-pieCe and gaZeS down upon
her.
Il hope Cecil will not returnfor some
time" he says, slowly. because | have
a great deal to tell you. What was it
you were saying just as | came in?
That had forgotten yUu-rubDed you
ont of my litr-ch:'
well. was it not trur?" asks ROnnie
nrrvously, twnimg her fingers idly to-
gcther.
"Thprc could hardly be anything less
true: hat let that pass. You SAID also
ii remcmberrIghtly-that yOuhOped
you would never see me AGAIN. Was
that also truC;'
If you won't believe me in one il
stance. | suppose you wont i'll amoth-
Cr," says Rome, eVaSiYrly. And yet
l think-it ought to be true"
We'll. il isn't" returns Sir Sydney.
Il don believe a word OF it. | won /;
so YOU need not say it again. Then;
suddenly We been abroad, you know.
Ny uncle is dead
Il am very sorry" begins Rnnnir.
Don't be. I'm not" answers Wal
colt, calmly. lie was as d.Sa9veeaDle
an old brggar as any one could possibly
meet. However, | forgive him. He
died-and left me all his money"
Il congratulate YOU" says IlOnnie,
Jelly.
at is a case for congratulatiOn, GER
tanly," he replies. COOlly. And yet
something is Lacking to me that damps
all my prosperity. That time last
spring. when we we're in town together,
I
il. thinll-at least, | hope didn't look
poor. But there were any amount of
debts that should have been paid off,
incurred by my-Well, never mind that;
paid them-they were debts of honor;
but the paying crippled me so much
that | was afraid to ask you to marry
me in those days. Now | am not. l
have got the title. You see, and the
estates, and-and that"
The title" repeats ROnnie. in low
tone.
Yes. My uncle was Earl of FIRING
ton, and there wasn't any son to inherit.
That was my luck. you know"
Il suppose ought to tell you again
how glad am Of your"
Say nothing of the kind: say only
you are glad to see me. ROnnie"-wlth
an utter change of tOne-"my dearest
love, tell me you will marry me as soon
as you can"
When Mrs. Rivers and Cissy came in
to the room, a few minutes later, they
find ROnnie standing on the hearth-rug
with Lord ErTmgtOn'S arm round her,
and smile upon her mobile lips that
has been absent from them for many a
day. A few words explain everything,
and then the future Countess is caresS-
ed and made much of by her mother
and sister for little while.
Il had no idea that you We're the
friend who was coming to stay at the
Court" saws Mrs. Rivers, presently,
smiling at Errington.
No? Didn't Craven tell your
chose rather peculiar time for my
visit" he adds. with Il little laugh-"juSt
when Craven was about this wedding"
Yes. yes" says Rdnnie, in an agony.
In vain she tries to think of something
TO say that will turn the conversation
into another channel
"Nery pretty girl. Lady Maud" he
goes on. UnsuSpeCting; and enormous
fortune. think myself she is rather
throwing herself awuy TuOn MCGregOr."
Upon whom" asks Il annie. breath
lessly. Cecil. who has placed one hand
upon the back of chair 10 support her
self, is looking at sydney with all her
soul i'm her eyes.
"McGIegOr." he repeats Carelessly.
Ties sort of distant COus of hers,
and really nothing much in any way.
But she likes him. and has married him
the wedding took place on Thursday