San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-08-13

trial" replied the daughter reluctantly.
Though had almost made up my mind TO
send her back and let her take her dances
with the res. If she gives me any proof
that is, that she will improve in time"
Little feet battered through the hall; little
hands fumbled at the door,
Mes tum," she announced, stopping on
the threshold. With the wopderful intuition
dSNehildhood, she scented danger of some
kind and retreated to Mrs. Taunton's choir.
Tell grandma what rEkes Mabel such
naughty girl y said the latter, taxing her
tendefly ~ her arms.
"MabePdood now, y-asssted the little one,
nesting her cheek or RS. Taunton's hand.
mabel fordst, an de black man catch her
an MAKE her tell tories This last with al
evident appreciation of her own imaginative
effort.
Augusta, how can you steel your heart
against herp cried the elder lady, gathering
the little, satisfied mite close and kissing the
top of her curly Head.
81 don't, mother" answered Mrs. Lee, with
tears in her eyes. 81 love her too well, am
sometimes afraid. But blood Will tell you
know, and too much indulgence will be sure
to spoil her. lam afraid the responsibility
will be too much for me, and thatI must send
her back in the end" .,
The child slipped down from her place and
stood before Mrs. Lee with folded hands.
"Mabel be dood now" she said graveiy,
"Mabel love oo-don't send Mabel 'wayr
Her lip quivered ominously.
"Poor child" said Mrs Lee, moved against
her will "No, Mabel shall stay If she will
be good"
The next afternoon the ladies left the house
to paya promised visit, leaving Mabel seated
on the floor quietly engaged with a new pic
ture book, with big Bplno for company.
'"Es, Mabel be dood," she said in reply to
Mrs Lees query, 'she loves co."
'What is your opinion now, AugustaF'
asked her mother as they walked along.
'Just what it always was, mother" replied
Mrs. Lee, smiling There cannot but be
difference between a child with the noble
blood of generations in her veins, and one
with the Inheritance of the ignoble traits Of
as many generations Now, Elsie would have
had as great horror Of deceit and dishonesty
as have myself" Mrs Lee sighed deeply.
But you must admit that there are excep-
tons, Augustaf'
Exceptions that prove the rule. No,
mother, i would take some stronger argu-
ment than you can produce, am afraid. to
maiSe me change my opinion"
1t was dark when they reached home. An
excited servant met them at the door. 'The
doctor said it must be kept quiet" she whis-
pered
"What is it-what has happenedr cried
both ladies in breath.
At this moment the doctor made his ap-
pearance.
"Will she die, doctorf' asked Mrs. Lee,
at the railing for support.
mo, madam, no." said the doctor. "Shs
is not at all hurt-only frightened little.
1t seems you had told her not to leave the
room, and after the lamp was lighted the
dog ran against the table and tipped it over
1t didn't break the lamp, but the flame
caught the muslin drapery, and when the
servant returned after q short absence she
found the child standing in the middle of the
floor crying for 'Auntie,' while the dog had
fed down stairs She will be all right by to-
morrow"
Mrs Lee did not hear this last assurance,
being already half way up the stairs. Mrs
Taunton was not far behind her.
"Auntie," cried the little one as Mrs. Lee
entered the room, "tant Mabel have her
ownty mamma now2 Mabel was dood-
B'uno was bad doggie. P'ease, aunty," she
pleaded.
Mrs Lee held out her arms "My dar-
ling" she said, II will be your mamma, your
'ownty' mamma. Say mamma darling"
she cried, the tears running down her cheeks.
''My ownty mammal Mabel so happy
Mabel so sleepy" The blue eyes closed, and
they left her sleeping with smile ON her
lips. The servant met them in the hall.
please, maam, there's a poor body wait
ing to see you. | was sort O 'fraid O. her,
MAIN, and didn't want to let her in, but she
said twas important business"
Mrs. Lee followed her down stairs
"What can l do for you, my good woman"
she asked.
eyer can't do nothin' fer me-" said the
woman, roughly, ''but l kin do fer you
Thars some clus what belongs ter ye: they're
yer young un's."
Mamma" cried little voice. "Me 'ants
my new mamma. Ohm
A child's scream Of terror. bad woman,
send way, mamma! Mabel fraid." She hid
her face IN Mrs Lees dress.
"Wha--what do you meanT' cried she,
Il mean, mum, thet l stole 'er an then guy
'er away. 'Eres 'er things she he'd on. Thets
what | mean, mum-shes yer own. Good
day, mum"
The hardened woman closed the door softly
behind her, wiping shamed tear from her
eye at thought of the picture she had left in
the hall behind her; the figure of sobbing
woman kneeling on the cold stones, and
claSping close to her thankful breast little,
child.
''What do you think of your theory, now,
asked Ms. Taunton. when she had