San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-09-05

she was sui y IudO particular dpdi IhlChI was
engaged; the next one, however, or any
other in the house, was unoccupied.
"The gentleman who has the best one will
give it up tomorrow, and then you can
change into it," she added, as Mr.. Heddegan
hesitated about taking the adjoining and
less commanding one.
want it," he said.
Wishing not to lose customers, the land
lady earnestly continued that since he was
bent on having the best room, perhaps the
gentleman would not object to move at once
into the one they despised, since, though
nothing could be seen from the window, the
room was equally large.
well, if he doesn't care for view" said
Mr. Heddegan, with the air of a highly arts
tic man VINO did.
'fOh, mo- am sure he DOESN'T she said.
Il can promise you that you shall have the
room you want. If you would not object to
go for a walk for half an hour, l could have
it ready, and your things in it, and a nice tea
laid in the bow window by the time you
come back"
This proposal was deemed satisfactory by
the fussy old tradesman, and they want out.
Bapasta nervousiy conducted him in an OPP
pOsite direction to her wax of the former
day in other company, showing on her wan
face, had he observed it, how muck she was
beginning to regret her sacrifeial step for
mending matters that morning.
She took advantage of moment whsn her
husbands back was turned to inquire casu-
ally i'll a shop if anything had been heard OF
the gentleman who was sucked down in the
eddy while bathing.
The shopman said: eyes, his body has
been washed ashore" and had just handed
Baptista a newspaper on which she discerned
the heading, "A schoolmaster drowned while
bathing" when her husband turned to join
her. She might have pursued the subject
without raising suspicion; bat it was more
than flesh and blood could do, and complet-
ing small purchase almost ran out of the
shop.
What is your terrible hurry, NEE dearr
said Heddegan, fastening after.
81 don't know-I don't want to stay in
shops" she gasped.
And we WORT" he said 'They be suffo.
eating this weather. Let's 60 back and have
some tay!"
They found the much desired apartment
awaiting their entry. It was a sort of COM
bnation bed and sitting room, and the tables
were prettily spread with high tea in the bay
window, bunch of flowers in the midst and
best parlor chair on each side. Here they
shared the meal by the ruddy light of the
vanishing sun. But though the view had
been engaged regardless of expense, exclu-
sively for Baptista's pleasure, she did not
direct any keen attention out of the window.
Her gaze as often fell on the floor and walls
of the room as elsewhere, and on the table as
much as on either, beholding nothing at all.
But there was a change Opposite Der seat
was the door, upon which her eyes presently
became riveted like those Of little biyd upon
3 snake. For, on a peg at the back of the
door, there hung a hat; such hat-surely,
from its peculiar make, the actual hat-that
had been worn by Charles. Conviction grew
to certainty when she saw a railway ticket
sticking up from the band. Charles had put
it there; she had noticed the act.
Her teeth almost chartered. She murmured
something incoherent. Her husband jumped
up and said You are not well! What ia ito
What shall get yer
Smelling salts!" she said quickly and des-
perately; lat that chemists shop you were in
Just now"
that he was, caught up his own hat from a
back table and. without observing the other,
FASTENED out and down stairs
Left alone, she gazed and gazed at the back
of the door, then systematically rang the bell.
An honest look ,ng country maid servant APP
peared in response.
"A hatw mIrmured Baptista, pointing
with her fingers 1T does not belong to u.s."
'Oh, yes, I'll take it away" said the young
woman, hastily. ''It belongs to the other
gentleman"
She spoke with a certain awkward facti-
tiousness and took tho hat out of the room
Baptista had recovered her outward compos.
ure.
'"The other gentleman" she said. Where
is the other gentleman"
Hes in the next room, ma'am. He re-
moved out of this to obhge ye"
How can you say so! I should hear him
if he were there" said Baptista, sufficiently
recovered to argue down an apparent I'M
truth.
Hes there" said the girl, hardly.
'Then it is strange that he makes no noise
said Mrs. Heddegan, convicting the girl Of
falsity by a look.
He makes no noise, but it is not strange"
said the servant.
All at once a dread took possession of the
brides heart like a cold hand laid thereon,
for it flashed upon her that there was pos
sibility of reconciling the girls statement
with her own knowledge Of facts.
"Why does he make no noiser she said,
weakly.
The waiting maid was silent, and looked
at her questioner. "If I tell you, ma'am, you
won't tell missls" she whispered.
Baptista promised.
hRapausa he's a-lyinp dead ~ said the pirl