San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-05-14

er wait until tue captain was quite free.
With a smiling shake Of the head, she took
I'D her basket Of fruit and went towards the
house. \ tall, wiusome figure, in neat
simple dress; and a she crossed the green
her rich fair hair gliSten-d in the sunlight
like gold.
The wistful lover, following, felt that
there was no use in following, for such a
prize could never be his-not because there
was any inseparable gulf between their posi-
tons; but because she in herself appeared
to be so much above him or any ordinary
mortal. Alas poor lover!
But Annie was bright specimen of wO-
man nature-kind and generous, bonnie and
brave. The man who won her would be
fortunate indeed, for he would possess that
greatest Of all blessings, faithful helpmate
in all that concerns daily life-tender in his
sorrow, blithe In his gladness, and patient
Of his errors.
All this and more Ross thought, aud It
rendered the possibility Of her becoming the
prize of James Cargil the more bitter. He
tried to make allowance for his own feel
ings in regard to Annie and the influence
they had upon his opinion of the man. But
when all allowance was made he could not
believe that Cargill was likely to make her
or any woman happy.
The captains daughter was as famous as
the captain himself; for although she could
play the PLAINLY" and was reported to be
able to speak French las well as the French
themselves" (such a smattering of the Ian
guage as any schoolgirl might possess
would suffice for this repOrt), she was her
fathers clerk and purSer, besides being his
hOusekeeper. She accompanied him on all
his voyages, and in the widest storm was
as cool as the oldest seaman on board.
When the Mermaid was in straits she
would stand by her fathers side-her sailor
hat and the pea-jacSet over her ordinary
dress giving her tall figure a somewhat man
ly appearance-ready to obey him in any
thing he might command.
And throughout this rough life she pre-
served the gentlest characteristics of wO-
manhood. When at home in the cottage no
stranger would have suspected that the
quet-lOOking lass with the merry smile was
accustomed to such stern experiences.
The Mermaid was a small steamer which
Duncan Murray had purchased a bargain.
Then, having sold his cutter, he employed
the steamer to considerable advantage in
carrying goods along the coast, or to where
ever he might obtain a cargo. By this means
he had made good deal of mOney-a big
fortune his friends considered it-sOme of
which was prudently invested in house
property.
He might have retired and lived comfort
ably on his income. But he would not do
that; he only became more particular about
his cargOes and about his rates of freight.
Likewise, he would now employ a pilot
more frequently than had been his custom,
in order to give himself more ease on board.
Often he had been heard 10 declare with
an emphatic oath that he would never part
with the Mermaid or his daughter las lang
as they could baud thegither."
In spite of this well-knOwn declaration
there were men who would have been glad
To make him fOregO his vow so far AS the
lady was concerned; only, she seemed to be
as much disposed to observe it as her father.
At any rate, no one had yet obtained her
favor; and there seemed no likelihood of
that favor being easily won.
To herself there was the simple fact that
her life was happy one and there was no
need of change. Even if one should APP
pear possessed of that strange power which
draws maiden away from father, mother,
and kindred to trust her whole life to him,
she believed that She could resist it, until
her father Said-"Go, and take my Blessing
with you"
Here is Mr. Ross, father" said Annie,
as she entered the room, and added with
some surprise-"Mr. Cargill has gomez
SAY; did You not see him?-he wanted to
see you. . How are you, Bob? I'm want
tin you to come wi us as far as Peterhead.
Can you manage it?'
The capita II was . bur!y little man with
very ruddy face-shrewd, sharp and yet
not ill-natured
"WhenY' was the prompt query.
Next week, on Tuesday maybe, but on
"Wednesday sure"
ITO be Continued