San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-12-29


your happiness. would do more for you
than for any one know here in Rome, but
cannot be present at your bridal tomorrow.
Do not ask it, for l hate to refuse you any.
thing"
"But do ask it, dear Nine Moncreiffe,"
pleaded the spoilt beauty, the belle and heir.
ess of the winter city. "You know always
get what want, and l want you--to-mor.
row."
"My dear" said the artist, sadly, "if
could break my rule for any one, would do
it for you. But | cannot. Nothing could
induce ME to attend a marriage ceremony
even yours"
"You always say that, know. But whyi
Is there anything you feari Or is it that
such ceremony recalls'-
YES" the woman interrupted at recalls
it awakens-it is full of pain and horror to
me. Estelle, should be only a shadow to
the sunshine of your bridal. Do not press
the matter farther"
The girl was silent. She knelt there in the
freight a picture of bright and beautiful
yonth, to whom the future only showed it.
self in the golden light of hope. Softly the
music rose and fell 1t had changed now to
a plaintive, minor melody. The woman
shivered as the mournful notes echoed through
the vast chamber.
at vas just such a scene as this" she said
suddenly, "the eve Of another wedding day,
and the music-oh, heavensl Why does he
play that! Why does he play thatr'
''Sball stop hing cried the girl, terrified
by the agony of the face bent suddenly low
in the light of the leaping flames
She half rose to her feet, but gesture
from that slender, trembling hand stayed
her impulse, and she resumed her former
attitude.
'Did brighten you, Estelle1 I am weaker
than thought. No, don't move, child; stay
there, and while the music lass will try to
speak, to tell you the reason of refusal that
seems so ungracIous a thing. 1t is no ca
price, EStelle, for | love you as if you were
my own child, and have prayed for your
happiness ever since knew that Prince Clio
wolf had won your heart. You wish to know
why | cannot be guest at your weddings
Shall tell you my story, Estelle. or will it
brighten you! We live in an age of realism
of incredulity. No one believes now in
dreams, or sig2s, or presentiments, and yet
known the truth of each and all of these so
well that | am an old woman before my
time, and shall carry a broken heart with
the to my grave for sake of one"
The girl trembed and drew closer. 81 al
ways knew" she said, that you had suf-
fered; that some great trouble"--
You shall hear it if you will" said the
woman in a strange, dull voice. She bent her
head. The girls blue eyes noted wonder
ingly the mingled gray and gold of 'tha soft,
thick hair. the hasgard lines about the beau
tiful pale lips
1T is years ago." she said, quietly, ''an6
such girl as you are now, welcomed even as
you welcome, the eve of her bridal day. Not
a cloud, not shadow, not a forebodingl
With the memory of her lovers kiss, she fell
asleep that night but in that sleep there
chapel itself a dream-a dream strange
terrible-Ominous.t She saw herself standing
in an old churchyard-a dreary, half ruined
place, melancholy with cypress and yews;
and old, forgotten graves, moss grown and
Neglected. AS she stood, something impelled
her to look more closely at the headstone of
one by which she stood On it a name was
craven, and q date. The name was her
lovers name; the date-not three weeks after
her destined wedding day. Cold and trem-
bling she awoke, and tried to Danish the
memory of that dreadful place. 1t haunted
her throughout that happy marriage day.
1t turned her cold and faint, even amid her
bridegrooms passionate murmurs. He, keen
sighted, with a husbands new born rights,
demanded to know the cause Of her pallor
and her terrified looks. In despair she
told him, only naming herself as the
subject Of this hateful presentiment. He
laughed at her fears, and ere a week had
passed she had almost forgotten them amid
the joys and the tenderness showered
upon her life. They wandered from
place to place in sunny Italy, in the
loveliest hooks and in the lovelieSt
season of the year. They took no count
Of time Strong in health, rich in love and
beauty and worldly goods, life was like
happy dream that lulled thehi to deepes. rest.
One day they had halted at = little out Of the
way village among the mountains. 1t was
close on sunset, and they wandered off, as
their habit often was, to explore the neigh
borhood or sketch some of its picturesque
hooks. Suddenly the girls heart seemed to
stand still-a cold and deadly horror chained
her senses. Without heed-without oven re-
marking where their footsteps tended, they
stood in an old, half ruined graveyard-the
scene of her dream. Sbuddering and pale,
she strove to draw her husband away. Her
pallor and alarm reused his suspicious. He
glanced around and he, too remembered the
dream. There was no installing the spot.
Her description had been accurate in every
detail. However, he made light of her fears;
he strove to reassure her. They left the spot
and returned to the inn. Only then did he
remember the date of the day. 1t was ex-
actly three weeks since their marriage"
The voice of the speaker faltered The
girl, pale and awe struck, looked up at the
sad eyes and trembling lips Soft and weird
the music rose and fell across the ripple of