San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-26
This story was commenced July 20.l
copyrighted. All Rights Reseryod)
OF MANY MOODS.


"A spirit Oh mischief etlteTS neT. 'ltelel,
she calls, half teasingly "IIeen, why do
you not open the blinds, so you can see us
betterP'
An indignant slam of the shutter is her
only answer.
She looks at the young man and laughs.
Now she is furious with me-"
as she. ! believe you like to make peO-
pie furious"
well, perhaps do"
Oh, what a gOOdly earth il is to-day: how
greenly the grass Is growing and the yellow
butterflies are flying about like little flOcks
of sunlight
1t is such a lovely world that | wonder
why 1t is not better one. How can so much
that is evil creep in so much that is beautiful,
and yet, are there not weeds among the
wheat? But now we are in company with
the beautiful and, we will not think of the
evil.
A woman as fair as any daughter of the
gods, and man with as cOmely face as
God ever gave to man, and he at least is
thoroughly content
How well you ride" he says, looking ad-
miringly at her as she sits straight as a dart,
with the glow of exercise on her face and
that happy smile in her eyes.
~ love it so | could not help riding well II
wished"
They ride more slowly now, they are GO
ing through shady path long ago christen-
ed The Lovers Lane" The leaves almost
meet above their heads; through them one
can just catch glimpSes of the blue summer
sky. The sunbeanls force their way, and
rest in waves of mellow light on the leaves
on the soft turf, on the masses of the girls
golden hair.
All is>quite STILL for they say not a WORT;
so they ride on until the mellow sunlight
fades, till the lamps of heaven shine down
and light the still, dark world. Then they
turn the horses heads hOmeward.
He has plucked for her a spray of dog
wood which grows so luXuriantly on either
side, and she has accepted it with smile so
sweet as to set his foolish heart to thrObbing.
He has heard of her as cold and proud with
other men, to him she is graciOusncss itself.
She pins the white blossom to her habit
and looks down admiringly upon it,
He is so happy to be by her, to be able to
even look down upon her face.
'HOw long will you keep it"' he asks
suddenly.
Until it pershes."
mo lOngerw speaking half reprOachfuIly.
mo, why should l?' she answers, II do
not care for dead flowers. never keep them;
1t is like that foolish old fashion of keeping
ones remains in an urn"
81 do not think it so foolish" he saws. half
timidly. lie can not bear to differ from her,
even in a trifle like this. II rather like it,"
"DO you? Then | shall remember when
you are dead to see that your ashes are care
fully embalmed and set up over the mantel-
piece. Did they not set them over the man
telpiece, or was it the sidebOardp'
But suppose do not give you a chance;
suppose you die tirstY'
''But l do not mean to, mean to live for
long, long time; | do not want to die, | love
to live just to feel that | am alive"
"And mean to live, too" says the Young
man, laughing, but in all probability will
die first We are none of us long lived; we
all die young. | have no long life lire on
my hand, only jagged one, which signifies
death"
81 have never noticed mine, she says.
"Let me look" says the young fellow,
audaciously taking her tiny right hand in
his. May I?'
The twilight is deepening the white dog
wood grows more and more ghOStly as they
pass slowly by.
He has gently withdrawn her gauntlet.
Her smooth, white hand bereft of any rings
or baubles, lies in all its shapely beauty
within his.
He is bending closer to it that he may
trace amid the lines and cross lines a happy
future for her.
Here is your long life line" he says
eagerly, "see how far it extends: but where
is your happy marriage cross. do not see
it anywhereY'
do you not?" she cries anxiously. "Oh,
you must; it would never do to make me an
old maid"
She is bending anxiously over; her gold
locks almost brush against his brown ones.
They are both gazing eagerly down upon
her small, pink palm.
The horses turn a bend in the road, still
they do not raise their heads until little
frightened scream jars upon them, causing
the girl to start up, flushing guiltily.
Immediately in front of them, almost I'M
der the horses feet, is FlOrine Saunders,
who, by series of little jumps, is cndeav-
oring TO reach the side embankment on
which her mother stands triumphant, reach
ing forth her umbrella with a view of assist
ing her unwieldy daughter
Eleanor reins up her horse sharply. "Oh,
excuse me, l did not see you at ALL" Her
cheeks are scarlet, her little gloveless hand
lies white and bare upon her habit.
you should be more careful" says Mrs.
Saunders severely, her frOwning face not re-
Taxing at the sight of the others winning
beauty; "you came very near running over
Florine."
Miss Saunders, who has by this time clam
bered to her place of safety, is speedily re-
gaining her usual good humOr.
at does not matter in the least" she says,
with a little gasp, mamma and | were out
taking our constitutional, and indeed it is
much too late for us to be out, as | was just
telling mamma when you came along. How
intent you were; what were you doing%'
peering inqusitively up at Mr.. Allen. mo
secrets hope" with simpering smile, and
then as she gets no answer, goes on, what
was it nowp'
Studying botany" says Eleanor, care
lessly; Every absorbing, is it not?'
"BOtanyP cries the other, staring at the
bit of dogwood which Miss Hathwell Osten-
tatiously parades. ,'Dear me! how nicel
Were you in any difficulty9 perhaps l can
help youY'
mo difficulty at ALL"
"And you like it then. No doubt you will
Join our class; it is charming. VIII you not
come next time? 1t meets at"
But whether it meets at Jericho or the
Cannibal islands they are not destined to
know, for with curt Good evening""
Eleanor has galloped off in cloud of dust,
and what can he do but follow her.
When they are well out Of sight, and there
is only the dusty road behind and before
them. she slackens her speed, and looking