San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-03-22

what if there is a forestf The snow will
be less deep in the wood and the wind
less cold May my body be burned in
eternal fires il the road be not a good
one"
Eyes, yes" said Clara, impatiently, sit
is all right; let us have the sledge by all
means"
81 beseech of you, fraulein, to let me
speak few words to you alone before de-
ciding," said Hugo in low voice; 81 have
something important to say to you"
But Clara, feeling sure that she knew
what it was he was about to say, feigned
not TO understand.
mo, no! what is the use of delay, let us
decide at once; if we lose our time we
| shall not arrive by daylight"
"But indeed it would be better to wait
! for the diligence tomorrow. 1t would be
| ever so much more comfortable and more
! safe, " urged Hugo with last effort at
dissuading her
'More safer' said Clare scornfully.
What can happen to us in a sledge? The
worst can only be an upset, and that is
nothing in the snow"
Perhaps the gentleman is afraid of
wolves" put in the Jew facetiously.
''See, see! the beautiful young lady is by
! far the best man of the two she is not
| afraid.
Hugo merely shrugged his shoulders, as
though it were not worth while to assert
his valor before such vermin, and merely
said:
II have got my revolver, which will
answer enough for either wolf or man who
comes in my way; but, all the same, am
of opinion that it would be wiser to wait
for the diligence tomorrow.
"No, no." said Clara, slightly nettled
at his obstinacy on this point and per
haps flattered by her courage being
praised even by a ragged Hebrew. II
have quite made up my mind. l shall go
! by the sledge at all events. You can do
as you please; told you 1 was able to
travel alone" she finished, playfully.
A very attentive observer might have
fancied that shade of something, either
displeasure or disappointment, had passed
over the red haired jews face at mention
of the revolver, but whatever it may have
been it was gone instantly, as he -glided
from the room with obsequious alacrity to
get ready the sledge.
| VI
In less than an hour the sledge was at
| the door, rough concern of Imprinted
boards, but able to hold half a dozen
persons very comfortably. Hugo handed
in Clara, and then got in opposite her.
She feigned little surprise, for they had
not exchanged word since her decision.
ooh, are you coming, too, after alp 1
thought you had made up your mind to
travel by the diligence"
"Of course am going If you are" he
said gravely, and it seemed to her almost
J little severely. "You did not surely
{ think was going to let you go through
the forest alone with strangers?"
He himself had been a stranger TO her
only two days ago, but he did not seem to
remember this, nor did she. A great
many things can happen in two days, and
journey of this kind is sometimes equal
to weeks or even months of conventional
| intercourse.
There were two other passengers besides
themselves, small, highly colored man
with a great deal of fur about him, and q
lank red nosed individual wearing q
shabby green overcoat. The ill-favored
Jew took the reins and they drove away.
The snow had now ceased falling, prob
ably because there was not any more to
fall, and the sun was now free to shine
out again. relieving the monotony of the
snow clad landscape by diamond and
crystal touches.
Leaving the high road soon after pass
ing the village, the sledge struck into q
side track over desolate plain leading
in the direction of the large pine
forest which doomed black in the
distance A rough cart track at other
times, but today the road was smooth and
even, as though carpeted by the richest
velvet. The air was keen but pleasant,
for there was not breath of wind, and
after the confined travelling of the two
past days the change was welcome.
Clara enjoyed it as she leaned back in
the sledge, and thought over the events of
the last two days. She felt so sure and
safe near this tall, grave man, who from
the first moment had assumed such tone
of protecting authority over her, and she
was fain to confess that it was very sweet
to be cared for and protected in this man
ner, she who had never yet had anyone
to care for and protect her. Her childish
assumption of independence had been no
more than an innocent piece of coquetry,
for no delicate-minded girl likes to sur
render to man after so short an acquaint-
ance. Now that she had leisure to think
she felt no doubt that her answer to that
question, iRterrunted inst now in the
EES b OSrsassSSl