San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-08


darkness without. 1t is still showing.
Upon the sill the flakes have grown and
mounted. until they have reached the
first pane. With Il ShIver he pulls down
the sash. and they return to the CRATE
full fire.
You may be sure she believes you
safe in the villugr. under Mrs. StIltOn's
care" he SAYS. Suothmgly. anxious 10
restore her To peace oi mind.
She may, il she has not sent mes
spngpr To the village 10 inquire 10 The
doubtful answer.
"On. no. She wouldn't do that. you
know. such a severe night. Vino would
90? I'm quite convinced she hasn't
done that" heaSSerts, earnestly, though
it would have puzzled him to give q
reason for his assertion.
You think she has not?' asks Cecil.
still dOubtfully, though longing to feel
rs convinced on the subject as heap
parPntly--is. Some hope reVives with
i'll her as she remembers that the serv-
ants in her house are as ignorant OF
their way to the village as the servants
in this.
81 know it," returns Mr.. Craven. with
considerable force: she would of
course. wait until the morning. Why.
it would be inhuman, actually unsafe, |
think. to send any one abroad on such
a night as this"
And mamma is not inhuman" muir
rnurs Cecil. with slight smile, staring
thOughtfully into the glowing Goals be
meath her.
Over the chimney piece is large
picture. finely painted. 1t represents
an elderly lady. with a charming face.
with brown hair arranged in little curlS
on either cheek. handsome bust, gen
crouSly displayed. waist well under
her arms and small foot prOtruding
from beneath the satin gown that part
ly covers her. Ii is the foot that at
tracts CeclS attention. 1t is very
small. and clad in black velvet. She
laughs.
Il hope YOU are not making merry
over nN elderly relative" says Mr.Crav-
en-. severely.
Far be- it from me: she is much too
uncOmfOrtably dignified to excite mirth
in any one. ] was only thinking of that
old adage; 1t is i'll waiting for dead
mems shoes. and wondering whether il
is as ill to wait for a dead woman'S
because | am sure am at this moment
wearing YOUR She heSitates.
Great grandmother" he prompts.
Great grandmother slippers" con-
cludes CiSSy, laughing again. and look
ing down at her velvet shoe. the very
fac-simile of that worn by the dead and
gone graudam.
What mirsculousIy small feet my
great must have hadi"
says Mr.. Craven SOlemnly. regarding
her foot with interest.
"Oh. no! These shoes are quite loose
on me" she replies. innOcently.
Il can see that" he remarks, unwise-
ly. and regrets his speech second later,
when TO his chagrin the pretty foot is
hastily withdrawn.
A silence follows. and then Miss Riv-
ers, rs though the thought has just oc-
en- red to her, says gently
Il must now Il you good night, and
go TO Mrs Richards: she has promised
me tea at nine"
But ii is not nearly that vet. 1t
wants quite quarter to it," protests
her host in somewhat injured tone.
pray do not hurry yourself. DO you
w"-waTnIngly-"that from the mo-
ment YOU join Mrs. r chardS until you
elect TO go to bed, she will spend the
time telling you old tales about the
family. know il. because / have been
through it. And it is no joke. Every
story is thirty minutes good. not a sec
ond less"
How nee! adore old stories" says
Miss Rivers, sweetly.
you won't adore hers; there's not
bit of 30 in them, not a murder. or
ghost, or Il suicide, or anything anus
ing from start 10 finish. We are
wretched lot. you know, when all is
told"-alludmg apOlOgetically Ohls an
cestOrs. Don't let yourself in for it,
if you love yourself"
You greatly relieve my mind" says
Cissy. Il couldn't sleep i'll house
where a ghost walked"
Couldn't your | should find even
that poor excitement welcome. 50
dTeary is my present existence. You
cant think"-deje Ctedly-"hOw slow |
find It here. with no soc ETY.. Your
coming tonight has been Such relief.
Up to this | have had to endure the
Major; and, though m generally con-
sidered rather gOOd-natured than 9th
erwise. lie much too much for any
fellow. He was agent, you see, in my
uncle'S tlme-whO never attended to
anything-and now, before retiring
from office-thank goodness, he is re-
tirIng-he insisted on coming down here
with me to see after things. and behave
uncivilly, and haraSs the very lives out
of my unfortunate tenants"
why do you let him." reprOachfully.
81 am afraid to interfere; and besides,
it doesn't matter much, because he
can't stay long; and II make II up to
them atterward. The govt overlook
him yesterday. I'm devOutly thankful
that it came down upon him heavily, as
i have been spared his inane twaddle
for few hours at least"
poor man" says Cissy, vaguely.
leaving ii doubtful whether she intends
her sympathy for the Major or his
wearied friend.
a have often wished | hadn't come
| here at all" continues Mr.. Craven; my
| place iii Kent is so much pTettier and
| far more comfortable: but | was obliged
to do 50. lie talked me into it. But
nOw"-warmly-"I feel ! owe even the
| Major debt of gratitude. as my com
ing has enabled me TO he of some slight
use to you."
Even that miserable solace is denied
! yOu," returns Miss Cissy, with calm
smile. "If Won reflect that. even if You
had remained in Kent, Mrs. Il chards
would still have taken me in. and been
very good to me-"
True" reiOins her creSt-fallen host:
Il have not been of much service to
you. after all-have l."
Cissv is cOnscience-stricken.
es. lnneed you nave" she says I'M
pulsively, 1T wasn't civil of me to
say that, was it. when you have been
more than kind To me?" Then. as
though ashamed of her AVAILABILITY, she
goes on hurriedly. with a rather brill
liant colOr-"GoOd-night, Mr.. Craven; |
must go, or Mrs. Richards will think |
have vanished in as mysterious a man.
! ner as came"