San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-04-21
NIL DESPERANDUM.
BY EDWARD sTAPLETON.
CONTINUED from Thursdays issue.l
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XII.
True loves the gift which God has glv'I
To man alone beneath the heaven;
1t is the secret sympathy,
The silver link, the silken tie,
Which heart to heart, and mind to mind,
! In body and in soul can bind"
Within half mile of West's cottage
there was small house, with pleasant
bay windows on either side Of the hal
door, which was ornamented with 8
brass knocker and handle, that had been
carefully Furnished every morning
during the past few weeks, by an old
man, none other than Clayton's old
servant Michael, who positively refused
to slave his master. and his darlin'
MISTRESS"
Everything Clayton possessed, even
to his old furniture, had to be sold, to
satisfy his creditors, and while he was
considering what he should do, hard
problem for one. who had never, for the
past twenty-five years, known the want
Of money. Michael, who had his saw
ings, and more experience In that class
of life-sought suitable house, and
furnished 1t plainly, but comfortably.
he leased 1t for term Of years, for the
moderate sum of thirty pounds a
year, which he also paid, 80
q
would at least be kept from 8, Starving.
The house stood in two-acre enclo-
sure, the front laid out in flower beds,
bOrdered with garden-tiIss; a smooth
gravel walk led from the modern gilt
Ornsmented gate to the front door, on
either side OF which was a sleepy looking
diminutive lion. At the back there were
fruit trees bordering q small lawn, be-
yond was the river. q pleasant place,
and many times Clayton thanked his
servant and friends with tears in his
eyes.
"Bedad, sor," Michael would say at
such times, ''don't be sfther thankin'
me, did it to phase meself. wanted to
be wild you"
In the citing room Of the house just
described, sat Emmy Clayton, who was
but now recovering from fever, which
attacked her after hearing Of Vests
death; she was IN an armchair, her head
resting plaoidly on pillow. Miss West
sat by her side; she had been sent for by
Clayton, at the request of Emmy. and
was very pale and dressed in mourning
'Nellie," Emmy said suddenly, after
looking out Of the window for several
minutes, II once had dream, it. must
have been when was first taken ill"
"1es dear" interrupted her oompan-
ion, 'you were dreaming Of poor Frank;
you seemed, by your talk, to be with
him In Heaven, speaking to him; oh how
wished we could 60 there together"
mo! no. it was not in Heaven, it was
on earth. l saw him lying down asleep
| saw ship far out at sea. knew he
was in place he could not leave with
out help. | knelt by his side, and kissed
him. He was very cold. whispere
Nil Desperandum in his ear; he awOke.
stood before him, pointing to the ship.
He did not see me. | knew 1 was
spirit and was not surprised. tried to
speak to him again, but he did not hear
me; now he was awake. At last, he saw
the ship. | helped him to wave the
signal, but it seemed 80 heavy and at last
| let 20 my hold and it fell. | saw
cloud OF smoke come out OF the side of
the ship, and knew he was saved"
During the recital of her dream she
had worked herselfup to great pitch OF
and as soon as she finished
sank back exhausted.
Nellie wept, almost believing now the
theory she knew her brother had held
that the spirit leaves the body In sleep
and really goes to the scene OF the
dream.
For the first time since her illness
Emmy was walking in the garden, Clay
ton on one side and Miss West on the
other.
Michael, who had been to market, as
usual, had just returned with a basket |
full Of meat, vegetables and groceries.
"Arrah now" he said after depositing
his burden on the floor; "this ia like !
home indade; | never was SO happy IN |
all me loife as today-barrin the ab- |
sence of poor Mr.. West, but | do behave
he'll come back; no man would die wild
out a Woighty struggle when SIGH a
darlin' as me mistriss Is waitin' for |
him."
After this soliloquy he stopped and |
took a piece OF meat out of the basket.
"What the divil will | do wild this |
piece Of mutton; roast 1t? No! they had |
'oast yesterday. Och bad luck to me,
or soatterbrain, for not thinking of it |
before; sure, I'll give em rale Irish
'tew." Having made up his mind with
.egard to the cooking, he sailed out of |
he room with his basket.
He soon returned with q tray laden |
with plates and dishes and proceeded TO
sy the table, but was Interrupted by
Knock at the door.
"Ooh! bad luck to them gipsies. Be-
lad! they must think we want brooms
md cradles every day Of the week"
He partially opened the door. saying,
Not today, Egyptian; call tomor-"
But instead Of seeing gypsy, with his
moving house covered with wiokerwork
If every description, he saw an elderly
gentleman, who inquired II Mr.. Clayton
vas at home.
HE is, sor," throwing the door wide
open, land what may your name be?"
The gentleman smiled, as he informed