San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-04-17


ion. She greeted him with that easy
grace which was one Of her principal
charms.
"Ah, Mr.. Shaw! I am so glad to see
you! have had real spell OF ennui this
morning. The last novel is wretched, as
both hero and heroine die In the most
provoking way, all because Of some over
strained idea of duty, and was just wish
ing that someone would come in and 1
could have cheerful little chat to dispel
the gloomy impression"
Then I'm afraid" smilingly. "you
will not like your present visitor. / have
not come in very cheerful humor; and,
besides, wish to ask favor"
GA favor? That is too lovely. Con-
slider it granted even to the half Of my
kingdom. I am truly glad that you wish
to ask a favor Of nee, because 1 did not
think your opinion of me was sufficiently
good for such thing. Do you know"
with sudden droop Of the eyes, THAT
you always make me feel as II am doing
something wrong?"
"Do I? Well, shall give you golden
opportunity now to redeem yourself. l
have just been visiting some of those
and would like so much II you could in
them and relieve them"
A look of CONSERVATION overspread her
pretty face as she exclaimed: .-.se-
"Oh, indeed you don't mean for me to
go there! How could ever stand it! I
can't bear such places Ask me almost
anything else. The dreadful men and
children-the odor! Ugh" with shud.
der. ASK me almost anything elsew
A look of keen disappointment drifted
over Mr.. Shaws face. >, ,x,.I
She suddenly frightened and said: -
81 do intend to do something good
next week. 1 have refused German"
triumphantly, "that l may attend the
Charity Calico Ball to be given. You
know all the dresses are for the poor, so
shall do some good" -
"And what is your dress to be?" asked
Mr.. Shaw with rather an indescribable
infection to his Voice.
THE loveliest light blue silesia with
lowered cretonne front" she replied en-
Enthusiastically, sleeveless waist, Medici
collar, shirred and very boufam draper
les. 1t Will be beautiful, and l know it
will seem very nice to some poor woman
who has never had anything like it."
Eyes, he said in a tone quite saturated
with irony, 81 don't doubt its usefulness;
o
few yards of illusion to make some warm
bodies for those who have no fires, and
few yards of ribbon to decorate the little
freezing arms! 7" .y--srt~-o--~-r ~--"@--:-
Now, you are angry with me, Mr..
Shaw" she said hesitatingly. Don't
think me utterly heartleSs; out can't go
to - Street. 1t would really give me
little blue chill" ,---r.------->."-~ - -,a-'
Il could never consent to such cruel
thing as that, he said with an unpleasant
smile. al really feel that owe you an
apology for intguding such disaSreeable
subject, particularly after your nerves
were shattered with your novel. Good
morning." and he bowed himself out
rather abruptly with strange little pain
in lis near.
He did not again aIudo to the subject
to her, but found other ladies who inter-
ested themselves most warmly in the
work
Everywhere that he went In his charity
rounds, he could see and feel the inilu-
ence of Miss ShankS' good acts. She
seemed to be an angel of mercy, who
never tired, and who devoted her entire
time to charity. All that she did was
marked by practical good sense, and a
depth of thought and feeling that he could
not fail to admire. Still he CHANGED
never to meet her. -
One day, when entering the post
office he saw in advance ofhim the grace
full figure Of Ma Belle Lee. She was I'M
aware of his presence, and, standing idly
behind her, he felt as if he had received
an electric shock, as she asked: as there
anything for Miss Mehitable Shanks?"
and then received and pocketed several
postal cards. ~ 49, --.,-
II he was aStOniShed at the question,
he was still more so at the effect which
his discovered presence produced upon
her.
Neck, face and brow, even to the roots
full crimson, her eyes dilated with an
expression Of CONSERVATION but with a
few hasty steps he soon overlook her.
He was lost in a bewilderiny surprise.
She was the last person with whom he
would have connected Miss Shanhs in
any way, and her great agitation as he
walked beside her, increased his
surprise.
A sudden bright suspicion caused his
heart to beat almost to suffocation.
"Tell me, Miss Ma Belle" he said,
what have you to do with Miss
Shanks' letters?"
II really can't understand, Mr.. Shaw,
what right you have to ask such a ques-
n1 r75555z -