San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-04-27

4 ladies prolonged visit 10 Us at n might
have its rise in the ill-feeling between hel
I and Maria.
May introduce myself?-I know it i
| Miss Lane" cried pleasant voice at my ell
bow, and l turned to see George Arson.
And knew you 1T once, Mr.. Arson" |
said as he shook my hand heartily. when
came in and saw two strangers here, expect.
ing 10 see only one, at the first moment
wondered which was yOu-but soon saw.
knew you could never he giant"
There are some people with whom you are
at home in a moment; and was so with him
and he with me. He laughed, sat down by
me, and we talked together. you made
your visit TO our house at an inOppOrtune
time" he remarked to me, "fOr was away"
"Yes, you were in Germany" answered.
you go often, do you nOt?"
Pretty often. We have business relations
with Germany, and they must be occasional.
ly attended to in person"
"YOur visits, then, are not for pleasurer'
Not at all. But lcOntrive to mix pleasure
with them. / have relatives in Germany,
Miss Lane. My mothers sister married a
German, and she and her children are de
lighted TO have me; they call il a red-letter
day when present myself at their door"
II don't wonder. But we must not talk
any more" whispered
"Why nOt?'
because Miss Arson will be angry. See,
she is looking at us. She does not like any,
body to talk when she is playing"
Every unreasonable of Adelaider' he
laughed. Nov think that loud playing
is only good for one thing-to admit of talk
ing"
you don't like loud playing?'
mot much. Except out of doors; say a
brass band, or something of that sort The
playing ! like in room is low, dreamy
kind of harmony, soft and soothing as the
ripple of a summer sea-"
"YOu would like Mary's playing, then"
Il think should like all that Mary does"
he answered, lightly and gayly. "She is a
sweet girl. never saw her before to-day"
But you have seen great deal Of AIDE
Iaide?"
''Oh, of course. We are COUSINS you know,
almost brother and sister. She has had her
home with ms for year or two"
Until she came here on this long visit.
Mr.. Arson, Uhy did she Gomez
A sudden impulse came over Inc to ask the
question, and put it without thought 1t
was wrong, perhaps, but he did not appear
to notice that
why did she cOme?' he repeated, care
lessly; well, l scarcely know. was again
in Germany, and came back to find AIDE
laide flown. l fancy my mother thought her
not well, and that complete change might
restore her; that was it, think"
He evidently knew as much about the mat
ter as |, and no more. Adelaide brought her
playing to an end, and our conference was
broken up.
George Arson went away with Mr.. Chal-
Toner the following morning, when breakfast
was over. They only returned i'm time for
dinner. Fourteen of us, including guests,
were assembled in the drawing room; eight
ladies' six gentlemen. Emma was not to APP
pear at dinner as she would have made an
odd one; and she had not any objection to
reserve herself and the freshness of her dress
for the dance later In going in to dinner all
had been paired off except Adelaide, Mary,
myself, and George Arson. Mrs. ChallOner
looked round laughingly.
Only one gentleman to three ladies! Well,
George you must choose for YOURSELF" she
said.
lie went to Mary without moments hest
tatiOn. As and Adelaide followed them,
Glanced TO look at her face. And never, in
all my life, had seen 80 quietly diaboIical
an expression as it wore. What could be the
matter with her?
The drawing-rOOmS were full of the later
guests when we got in from dinner; and soon
the dancing began. OF all the girls, Mary
looked the lOvcliest and raireSt. She wore a
pale blue silk with a pearl necklace nothing
at all in her lovely golden hair. She was
very fair, but the beauty of her face seemed
not to lie so much in the delicate contour of
her features or the wild-rOse complexion, as
in its ever varying expression. 1t was the
index to her heart, all pure and sweet within.
rs he not handsOme?" exclaimed AIDE
laide, as she sat down by me, tanning her
self violently, her eyes following George An
son admiringly as he waltzed with Mary.
Yes" answered, land how well they
dance together. He waltzes superbly."
That is his German training" said AIDE
laide. He was partly brought up in Ger
many"
They are the handsOmest couple in the
ROOM" said. II think Mary lovely. He
seems to think her so, too"
'Oh, he thinks all girls So" flashed AIDE
laide. He did in Cheshire"
SIS he engaged?' inquired innocently.
'NO-that is-nOt exactly engaged" she
stammered; ''but it is generally understood
- Dear me! how very warm it is here!"
she broke off, opening her fan again. which
she had closed
Yet you have not been danclngr'
II do not choose TO dance, unless the right
people ask me. That awkward giant Page,
wanted me for the Lancers; fancy my figur-
ing about with him!'
You would rather dance with your eous-
in George" said, jestingly.
'Of course would So would you, ex-
pect George is good and noble"
She moved away restlessly as she spoke,
and | saw little more of her during the even
ing, except at distance. Was she in love
with her cousin George? 1t looked like it.
Twice | saw her dancing with him; and more
than twice saw her gazing after him from
some obscure corner in which she had en-
sconced herself, a rapt eager expression on
her face.