San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-03-14
MANY A SLIP"
BY u. J. STAPLBToN.

BYE. J. sTAPLBToN.
written for the LIGHT.
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAYS ISSUE.
q man without. scruple, and lastly-tht
most important to mel love you. You
must forgive me, but 1 must speak;
cannot see you given into his handt
without trying my best to save you; | dc
not need your word for 1t, your face tells
me too plainly that you are sacrificing
yourself-ifI may be allowed to guess
for your fathers sake"
He took my hands In his, and looked
into my eyes. felt they would betray
me, so lowered them, for had not given
my word to marry another. How 1t hap
pened don't know, but l found myself
on his breast, then In q soft voice he
said: Evelyn, have loved you for
some time but chose to walt until
could see you cared for me before con-
fessed 1t. On hearing the gossip today
made up my mind and have acted at
Onoe." He handed me sealed letter
and continued: "Read that when you
are alone, and tomorrow will call for
your answer"
In the afternoon Mr.. Collins came, and
father some little time I was sent for.
l entered. The first thing saw was
lawyers blue sack on the table, then it's
owner seated beside 1t. shall never
forget the round, bloated, beardless
face, which was but shade darker than
his burning red hair. and the two small
gray eyes which could hardly be
seen through the horrid grin he gave
when he rose to salute me with one
hand over his heart. the other hanging
limp from the shoulder. l bowed as
gracefully as l could, accompanying the
salutation with q smile, which so
charmed him, that he favored me with
the whole performance over again. He
reminded me Of q reed snapped In the
middle.
took seat BY my fathers side, he,
anxious to get the interview over as
quickly as possible, plunged &C once in
to the subject.
~ have explained to my daughter
your terms of settlement concerning
these our estar es, and she has consented
to redeem them by becoming your
wife,"
"Conditionally," interrupted, ad-
dressing Collins, who WAS grinping
frightfully, "it is, that may break my
promise, should feel could not make
you the wife you deserve"
His eyes again became invisible, as
he answered me.
LADY Evelyn, could not do less than
consent to the condition under which
you promise to be my wife," with great
emphasis on the wife, as though glosting
ever his gains.
1t was at last arranged that we should
be married on the 1st of October, then
turning to my father, Collins, after hav-
ing written q few lines, said, ''you will
please sign this, also Lady Evelyn"
1t was an agreement. the substance Of
which was that should fail to play my
part Of the contract on the Let OF Octo-
Der, 5000 pounds should be paid In full,
or the estates should pass into his hands.
My father turned pale and hesitSted, but |
once, without thinking about Ii. At last, |
after admiring his large gold watch rs
though it required great calculation to |
the time of the day, he took |
his tall hat and, brushing it with his |
sleeve, bowed himself out backwards, |
nearly humping the servant down who |
was waiting to conduct him to the door !
\
On the 30th OF September my trous- |
seau was complete, except the bonnet, !
which had purposely lefl till the last,
having agreed with Collins that he |
should take me in his carriage to get it.
early on our wedding day; on reaching
the milliner's, which was large estsb-
ishment, entered, leaving Collins back
In his carriage looking perfect
" satisfied with himself. He wait
ed, as l learned afterwards, an
hour, then entered the shop, and not
seeing me, enquired where l was. He
was told had left sometime before; he
quilted the milliner's In great rage
and drove to my father, where [ found
BY Lord Holbrook. Collins turned near
" purple when he saw my companion,
and a plain gold ring on my finger,
which took particular care should be
,een.
Very soon l explained, that instead of
coming out by the door had entered, 1
went out tie back way, where Lord
HolbroOk awaited me in his carriage,
and having made previous arrange
ments, we were married at once.
A demoniacal smile came into Collins
lace as he turned to my father, who had
lust received a small package, which, 1
knew, was a large sum of money, lent
unconditionally) to my dear old dad.
$50 you have tricked me; after all /
am better of. Now this place is mine.
With it, and whar already have, can
get any woman to share it with me, for
you cannot lay your hand on one thous-
and, much less $4,000, which you
owe me. You may 60 with your
title, l am master here. AS for you
turning to me-" would not take you
now, IL you were stuck with diamonds.
am master here, I tell Won in twenty