San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-02-25

| aSo. IL Must pe ne. Sucn uellcate
taster'
.'what, janet Not that ugly, vulgar
old man! l hate him! No, he never
would have such taste as is displayed
here" touching the bouquet tenderly.
my dear, pray don't speak SO of Mr.
Brice. 1 assure you he is extremely
rich, very wealthy, and could dress you
and lodge you like a very queen.
should be happy if | could see you set
tied as his wife, " replied her sister, SEN
tentiously.
ugh! | don't admire your taste,
then, my dear Jane, and | am afraid il
you are not happy until you see me so
established then your chance of con-
tentment is very slender, for you never
will see me sou and Florence moved
away with queenly step to be muffled
in cloak and cloud by her maid Ma
telle.
The two ladies were soon ready, and
Mr.. Brady conducted them to their
carriage. The drive was a silent one,
and Florence leaned back with bright
eyes, trembling a little with excite
ment, and holding her flowers. the
sweet perfume of which filled the car
riage closely.
When they reached the Drummonds'
splendid mansion, brilliant with light
that streamed cheerfully from the plate
glass windows, the street for whole
block was lined with carriages.
I'VE are trifie late" whispered Mrs.
Brady . Florence.
"Yes," nodded the girl.
She made her way over to where the
youngest daughter of her hostess sat.
Margaret Drummond was a silent girl,
without beauty. and was consequently
overlooked and snubbed by her elder
sisters. And for this very reason Flor
ence always was friendly with the lone
ly girl. and an intimacy had sprung up
between the two SO widely unlike in APP
pearances.
They sat together discussing the diff
ferent guests. At last Margaret said:
There comes mamma with Mr..
Saunders! Look, Flora, now don't YOU
think him as handsome as an ApolloP
think he is the very handsomest man
ever saw" she concluded enthusiastic
cally, in low tone.
Florence looked up and saw in truth
handsome man, tall and straight,
with handsome Saxon face, and eyes
as blue as her own. And wonder of
wonders! Could it be! In his coat he
wore small japonica and a spray of
heliotrope. She had not time to an
swer Margaret before Mrs. Drummond
and the gentleman came up. She
dropped her eyes in trembling con-
ft,ci nd Of that
til she heard her hostess voice saying,
as in dream:
miss Brady, let me introduce to you
Mr.. Saunders. He is one of my friends.
l want you two to like each other" and
without further ado the lady sailed
away again, taking her youngest
daughter with her, and left the two
people alone.
Florence glanced up then. The two
pairs of blue eyes met; Mr.. Saunders's
were smiling; then. rs they both real
lied the unceremonious introduction
given by Mrs. DrunImond, they both
burst out laughing, which took away
Florence's embarrassment. They were
soon upon friendly terms. And direct
ly the gentleman, in a casual way,
said:
"How well your flowers become you,
Miss Brady! They match your dress to
perfection.
Florence looked up, saw smile lurk-
ing in his eyes, and dropped hers in
confusion. There was no doubt now,
she told herself. The sender of the
bouquet was before her.
How well they look together"
commented Mrs. Drummond to Mrs.
Brady. "They are of the same COM
plexion and splendid match for each
other. He is enormously rich, my dear,
My girls admire him Immensely; but
then, you know, they are all engaged
except Margaret who is too young"
When Florence lay down upon her
couch that night it was to dream of
blonde hair and deep-blue eyes.
After that evening they met repeated
ly, and the gentleman called frequently
at her brothers house. One day when
he came Florence was alone. She was
playing the piano when he was shown
in, but turned quickly, with welcom-
ing smile, at the sound of his voice.
They talked of that evening at Mrs.
III uLiliohu paity, anu ooIiChO", IiOi-
ence could not tell exactly how, the gen.
tleman brought forward the subject of
flowers. She looked up suddenly right
into his eyes with her clear, direct
gaze:
"You sent themp" she said.
"Yes, l sent Them" he returned.
Then suddenly: Florence, had seen
you at the opera. l fell in love with
you at first sight, and love you nowr'
She did not blush and drop her eyes
after the manner of ordinary young
women, but looked directly at him.
"And fell in love with you the first
time saw you," she announced, calm
ly.
What if her friends-her envious lady
friends-had heard her! Would not
they have voted her more strong-mind-
ed than everp fear So The wedding
was celebrated with great magnifcence,
and the bride was lovely as she was &C.
centric.