San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-10-08
had dared to write to her, I'd shoot him, II
knew should hang for it."


figure of his wife. She wore a dress OF some
soft gray stuff, which fell around her with al
most nunliSe effect; her bead was coverecSonly
by little lace kerchief, for the forest ran
close up to their little mountain pension
and they were within a few hundred yards
of its door, As the squire, himself unseen,
watched her slow, languid steps and pensive
face, a great longing to take her into his arms
and kiss the color back to her pale cheek again
awoke in his heart, and he advanced quickly
towards her. But as he did SO he saw in her
hand an open letter, AMI with sudden mis-
giving he stopped abruptly. 1t was too late;
his step had caught her ear, and he saw her
hurriedIy return the letter to her pocket as
she came forward.
II was looking for you, Jack, she said, as
they met There is something | want to
ask you, but-but"-
The pause was more eloquent than words.
The squire took his courage in both hands,
and resolved to face his fate bravely.
Come and sit down here" he said quietly,
pointing to a seat beneath one Of the low,
wide spreading chestnuts, and placing him.
self beside her. There were few minutes
of uncomfortable silence, broken presently
by Kathleen.
some days past, Jack, but it never seemed
the right time"
"Have l made myself so very formidable
to your asked Jack, with a sorry attempt at
a smile.
mot formidable, Observation-Disclosures,
very different" Kathleen paused again and
then went on in broken, hurried tones:
Il know | am not half worthy of all the
love you gave me once, Jack, dear-but oh!
don't take it quite from me, for it is all
have in the world!"
There were tears in her quivering voice,
and the squire felt an answering lump in his
own throat as he replied:
my poor little Katie!' That was all he
could get out for minute; then lie cleared
his throat, and went Oh:
NO fear of my love being taken from you,
Katie, if only you will be open with ME.
But try to trust me-ion't keep back your
confidence from me-
Keep back my confidence, What do you
mean, Jacks l have never kept anything
from you-eZceps one thing"
Except one thing" echoed the squire in
us turn. But to keep kac!: one thing,
Kathleen, IS moe tEa:l enough to work mis-
ck:ot between Lus3alI aid wife"
Kathleen hung he: head, Flushing like a
scoidet. scGoC.S:-..
Il d.. : leah any hai'::-!, .scIs. I always
,le2:.- - Is! !OI ell about il so22e cay, only
ypu ..&Tt be-! So GI=:Si.. I'd COLI
Size PATS. again
he. lus5--d TOOK ply OF her confusion.
Suppose Were to tel You, Kathleen,
that | E25w wis: yo2 haze - tell !ae al.
rsa,!T''
"You know it already But howr' STAN
mered his wife.
Il found some writing in your room, one
day, and read it before l saw that it was
private"
The squire's tone grew harder in spite of
himself as he recalled the misery Of that day.
Kathleen looked up Inquiringly, but her eyes
sank again as she saw the cold, set look of
his face, and there was a minutes silence be-
fore she timidly spoke.
Were you so angry, JackT
mot angry, but bitterly hurt that you
should have kept the thing a secret from me.
Could you not have trusted me, Kathleen?
Could you not have trusted mes"
IL never dreamt you would mind so
much"
Not mind' What do you think I am
made of, Katie'"
Il really didn't think there was any harm
in it, Jack, dear"
The big brown eyes met his so trustfully
and appealingly that Mr. Collingwood's heart
melted within him. After all, what was she
but a child' Her very words proved how
lightly she regarded the whole matter Yet
even then there rang in his ears the words of
that letter to her deserted lover to give the
lie to the excuse he was framing for her.
81 want to tell you all about it, Jack" she
said presently And want to show you
letter. and ask You how | ought to an
swer it,"
Don't answer it at all, said her husband,
sharply.
"On, Jack! I must send some answerI
What will he think OF me, if do not?'
II don't care what ne thinks. | distinctly
forbid you to answer 1t"
The bright eyes filed with tears as she
vauly looked for some token Of relenting in
the squire's set and grave countenance.
He is a gentleman, you must remember,
dear-and it is such nice letter."
Her husband gaZed at her, half bewildered
by the GOODNESS with which she placed the
open letter in his hand.
Am to read this'' he asked coldly.
''Of course you are, Jack"
This was the letter the squire read:
DEAR MADAM-I have much pleasure in
informing you that your story, A Bad Be-
ginning has been accepted, and will appear
in all early number of -. | shall be glad
at any time to read any story you may wish
to submit to me. Would you be disposed to
try your hand at serial2 AM, ETC."
A sudden blaze of light broke on the squire's
perturbed mind.