San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-05

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| TO her almost tendcriy.
"NOu have done me real good, child.
! 1t is a pleasure to listen TO such a voice.
! hope to hear it frequently"
Mr.. CaStieton said nothing, but his
eyes were eloquent.
The next day, when Lois took out
the children for their usual walk, Mr..
Castleton met them at the gate.
Il was waiting for you, he said. his
handsome face flushing with pleasure.
"A little bird told me you would come
this way. | was always very fond of
these desultOry walks. You will let me
join your"
Lois tried to think of some excuse,
but there was really none to offer. Be
sides, away down III the depths of her
thrObbing heart she realized already how
delightful it would be to have this
handsome young fellow for cOmpan
ion.
For three DAYS in succession the same
story was rcpPat'd. Lois invariably
found Mr.. CasIleton at the gate. and
they rambled about the fields, as gay,
careless and happy AS the children
themselves.
Then Mrs. Beaman found them out
She was drealfuily amgry, and would
have DISCHARGED Lois upon the spot,
but for wholesome dread of the CON
sequences.
There must be an end of this" she
said, quite fiercely "YOu ought to be
ashamed of yourself. An engaged man,
too! Mr.. CaStletOn is to marry Marcia"
Poor Lois turned pale and faint.
Was it true-what that cruel woman
said? The mere thought that Louis
CastletOn was betrOthed to another
made her very miserable.
But the walks ceased. From that
time forward the children were re-
quired to take their exercise within the
grounds, and the young gOverness de-
voted herself to them more aSsiduOusly
than ever.
One day Mrs. Beaman encountered
Mrs. Waugh Unexpectedly in one of the
corridors. The old lady stood beside
the great bay-windOw at the end. turn
ing small, glittering object between
her fingers. Her yellow face looked
ghastly-she was trembling from head
to foot.
What is the matter, dear aunt?"
cried the startled lady. Are you ill?"
Mrs. Waugh turned slowly, and after
moments hesitation held up some
thing in the vivid light.
II picked this up where l stand" she
said, in quiyering voice. who could
have dropped it,"
Mrs. Beaman strained her eyes. What
she saw was simple Old-fashiOned
brooch of fine gold.
1T is one gave Gertrude more than
twenty years ago" haif-sObbed the old
lady. II recognized it at glance On
the back is the very inscription l had
engraved there-'L. W. to G.. W"
=,
keen; in this emergency they served
her well. OF course the brooch had
been dropped by Lois, but it would
never answer for this fact to become
known.
How very Strange!' she calculated,
drawing deep breath. The brooch
is one purchased of pawnbrOker in
the city. noticed the inscription, but
never dreamed of assOciating it with
you or Gertrude"
Mrs. Waugh touched the ornament
caressingly, her eyes full of tears.
May l keep it, Esther"
Certainly. 1t is of no value to me.
am glad to be able to restore it."
Nevertheless she could not stiie some
secret misgivings. Lois might see the
brooch at any time, and lay claim to it,
She felt like one walking on bridge of
glass. 1t would be necessary to carry
matters with high hand if she hoped
to succeed.
The next morning, when Lois took
the children out for their daily airing,
a mans tall, shapely figure rose up sud
denly before her as she turned an
abrupt angle in the path.
Louis CaStletOn. an eager flush on his
handsome face! Lois had not seen him
for several days. She would have fled,
but he caught her two hands and held
them fast.
''Why do you avoid me so persistent
ly?" he asked. IF you knew how Gag
erly have watched for your coming,
you would not have the heart to do So"
Her face changed, but no words came
to the trembling lips.
AT first fancied you had selected a
different hour for your walks. 1ester-
day stood at the gate from dawn until
dusk. This morning | climbed the
fence, and invaded the grounds
20. why did you do it?"
He looked into her face with con-
scious laugh.
Because | was resolved to see you
at all hazards. / was about going to
the house to ask for you when you APP
peared. o, Lois, do not try me so
again"
At the utterance of her own name in
that tender, pleading tone she started,
and Sprang away from him.
Don't speak to me like that
"Why not?" he painted, following her
up. Lois, listen to me. There is
something l wish to say to you"
Keep away! Do not touch me!''
The words seemed to pierce him like
knife. While he. stood motiOnless,
staring at her with pale, dismayed
face, she fled past in the direction of
the house.
80, how could he trine with me?"
cried the miserable girl, shedding the
bitterest tears of her life. ''He is soon
to be the husband of another, and-and
I love him!"
Late that night poor Lois was awak-
ened from troubled dreams by the sound
of suppressed voices underneath her
window. She looked out, but could see
nothing in the darkness. PerpleXed
and distressed by vague forebodings,
she hastily drew on her dressing-gown
and slippers, and stole silently down
stairs.
The drawing-roOm window stood wide
open; Just outside she saw the outlines
Of two figures standing close together
a man and a woman. Involuntarily
she fell back, and caught her breath.
You love me, Marcia?" the man said,
in a voice of liquid music,
"Yes, Rupert" was the answer,
"Why, then. do you hesitatep Fly
with me tonight, We will come back
at the end of a week, and penitently
throw ourselves at the feet of your pa
rents. They will forgive us, Of course.
All will end happily. Only consent,
darling, and you shall never regret it,"
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