San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-18
HER HUSBAND.

II Is now over four years since l, Eliza
beth Graves. first met Dora Hamilton. 1t
was at Nice. on a brilliant day in Febru
ary had just recovered from sharp
attack Of typhoid fever and had been sent
to the Riviera by my physician to com,
plete my convalescence. One of his pre-
scriptions was drive every day when the
weather was fine and it was strictly fol
lowed. ! enjoyed beyond measure my ex
curslCns in the environs of the city, the
glorious sunshine. the vivid azure of sea
and sky. the rich vegesation-in fact, all
those elements that cause Nice to resemble
a set scene in some magnificent theatrical
spectacle But | was far from strong.
and could endure but little fatigue, and
one afternoon my drive was prolonged far
beyond the point that was either healthful
or prudent. My driver lost his way, and
after circulating about through various
unknown roads for long time. he finally
brought me out OH the heights of Cimiez,
about half an hour after sunset was
chilled and exhausted, and seeing the
lights shining in the windows of superb
villa embowered in palms and orange trees
near which we were passing. | called to
the coachman to stop, and sent my maid
in to ask the lodgekeeper for a glass of
wine This was brought by kind
hearted. motherly looking old woman.
WHO, seeing my pallor and my half faint,
ing condition. insisted upon my alighting
and coming in to rest. Twas so spent and
weary that it was impossible for me to re.
fuse, was scarcely installed. however,
when a handsome equipage dashed
through the gates. there was brief par
ley between the lodgekeeper and the new
arrivals. and a lady entered the little
room where was seated. all eager kind
ness and hospitality. who introduced her
self as Mrs. Hamilton. the tenant of the
villa.
must come at once to the house, she
said. impulsively had been ul3 Then
must wait and rest. and take some re
freshment. And her brother. DR.. Somers.
was physician. and would know exactly
what to do for me My own carriage
could come back for me later-that is, if
it would not be best for me to stay all
night. So, half coaxing. half compelling,
she hurried me into her landau. and
found myself In few minutes safely en-
sconced In an arm chair in the elegant
drawing room of the Villa Vittoria $50
called because the crown princess of Rus.
sla had once spent week therel with
VINE and biscuits and tea set out on
little table beside me. and q bright fire
blazing on the hearth
Dr Somers. a tall, grave looking gen
tleman. came in. felt my pulse. and de
clared that was in need only of few
hours Of thorough repose. And then
took good look at the lady who had so
suddenly and Unexpectedly become my
hostess.
II think she was one of the loveliest
women | have ever seen in all my life
She was not positively beautiful. but she
was exquisitely graceful. with a tall
slender figure that reminded me, in its
Gtheness and swaying movements, of the
stem of Gala lily Her features were
delicate and finely cut, her eyes most
lovely being large and transparent. of a
soft yet lustrous gray Her complexion
had the pearly whiteness and varying
blush rose tints Of a person in fragile
health and indeed her whole aspect gave
the Impression of one that had suffered
much and patiently endured. 1t is i'm
possible for me to give by description any
idea of the fascination of her manner, or
the peculiar sweetness of her low, musical
voice. that seemed TO hold a caress in each
Of its melodious tones She wore an ele-
giant c"Stume in gray crepe de Chine. and
a uounet trimmed with clusters Of pale
tinted viOlets and the refinement and
dehcacy Of ter aspect appeared TO be con
tinued III her attire
bad never heard of Mrs Hamilton.
and Nice Is not precisely the place where
it is safe TO form haphazard acquaintance.
but /, was impossible for me to resist the
winning charm of that fair lady's voice
and manner introduced myself as we'll
as was able though she declared that no
constellation Of my identity was necessary.
and after she had laid aside her bonnet,
she came back and sat down beside me
and began to talk with the naive frank
ness Of child.
I'VE have come to Nice for the winter,
my husband and L" she said, for Edgar
Is delicate and cannot endure the cold of