San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-12-18


order but hadn't quite finished it.
81 suppose you love him devotedlyf" con-
tinued, with purpose.
ooh, yes, he deserves it. He is so noble
and good; don't know what he ever saw
in me-"
"Why do you love HIM so muchF'
SWELL he has such lovely, curly, fair hair,
and such a beautiful mustache, and dresses,
with such taste, and his name-why, it Just
reminds one of Sir Walter Scott's heroes"
"That will do" interrupted. She did not
speak of the small check trousers, but her
mind was evidently dwelling on them with
rapture
"Did he ever get the loan of money from
your asked, with brutal abruptness.
She gave a little scream, but fastened to
say that he had not got any money from her.
He had limited at such loan, knowing that
she had hundred or two saved. but she had
replied that as tho time was rapidly approach
ing when they would be one, there was no
need to change the ownership. Igrinned I'M
feelingly at her wise precaution, and men,
tally asked myself If she could have held out
after the ring had been transferred from the
machinist's finger to her own.
could not get out Of her single state
ment which could be used against Ravens
berg, and she did not disguise her rapturous
devotion to the cane top nibbler, so had to
go away disappointed Ravensberg scan-
ned my face eagerly when appeared, but
simply told him he might leave, and he went,
wagging his coat tails as usual l had no
alternative but to send word to Nelly
Stephens to see me next morning at the
Central In reality 1t was that she might
surrender her bail and take her trial, but I
had not the heart to say so. At the same
time l took care to summon also my noble
hero of the small cheeks and his devoted
love, Miss Munro, as l thought something
might be made by bringing the three face to
face.
As was going home in the evening felt
q light touch on my arm and looked around
to find the melancholy visage of the tailor,
John jenkins, at my side.
"Have you heard the newsr he said, with
out the trace of smile. ''Nelly Stephens has
come into lot of money through the death
of an uncle, who never looked near her while
he was alive. suppose she'll be able to buy
herself off now"
"Not if Ravensberg insists on pressing the
charge"
she won't when he hears she's got money"
was the gloomy response.
But we need not tell him that sug-
gested.
mo, but she will" he replied with an ex-
perienced air. "She's mad about him,
though he's ready to clap her in Jail on
saIse charge. Now, I've looked after her
,ver since her mother died l taught her the
machine and got her place, and kept her in
it, and have loved her night and day for fiveI
years, and y ct she won't look at me. Now,
what more can a fellow do to win girls
love"
"Be selfish, or fool, or a knave, and then
you might succeed" l suggested 81 need
not tell you to be pretty, for you're plain as
a pikestaff, but you might try the other
plans, and if you could also get nice cane
|, with silver top, and keep nibbling at that
there's no saying what effect it might have"
The faintest ghost of a smile came to his
lips, and then he reaectively said, ~ must
say that she likes me and always turns to me
| in trouble"
"Ah, that's good"
"But then she loves him." he added, in
anguish.
"Ah, that's bad"
"Badl It's death-death to me-" and bel
slowly crawled off, shaking his head and
making me profoundly thankful that could
never be young again, and so have to endure
the fortunes of love.
Next morning Nelly Stephens appeared at
the Central, and shortly after Ravensberg
and Miss Munro came in arm in arm, John
Jenkins, the tailor, also appeared, and had
not the heart to put him out. 49,.
do you insist on charging this girl with
the theft of the rngT l asked, point blank,
of the cane top nibbler..
Certainly" he answered, with the great
est promptitude. "She's wicked deceiver,
and deserves it for saying that l made love
to her and promised to marry her." and he
looked up sweetly into the face of Miss Munro,
who smiled approvingly.
but oh, HoraceIn and Nellie ran across
the room and button boled him in spite of
bis resistance, and, undismayed by the stern
frown of Miss Munro, whispered rapidly and
eagerly in his ear.
She's telling him of the money left her by
her uncle" groaned Jenkins in my ear, and
for once love was not at fault. Ravensberg
first started, then looked pleased, then took a
letter from her hand and read it rapidly and
finally pressed her hand gently in his own
and turned to me.
81 think-ah-it will be better-ah--to
withdraw the charge; and as for the ring,
why, Miss Stephens is welcome to keep
| that"
WHAT" screamed the schoolmistress,
starting back in horror. "You will give her
an engagement ringl Indeed, you shall notl
| will not allow that!"
You, madamep replied the cane nibbler
loftily. "You have nothing to do with it. l
have found you out, madame, and henceforth
decline to have any intercourse with you"