San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-08-30
CHAPTER ".
A LITTLE SKIRMISH.

LllILE ShlhMlSh
didn't believe in the people-opposite, il
spite of their references being said to be good
You may say that's because of what fol
lowed; but it isn't, for didn't like the look:
of the stiff, elderly Miss Mimprisses, and
didn't like the two forward servants, though
they seemed to keep themselves to them
selves wonderfully, and no man ever allowed
in the house. Worst of all, didn't like
that handsome young Miss Adela, sitting al
work over colored worsted at the dining
room or drawing room window, for young
Mr. Barclay was always looking across at
her, and, though he grew red faced, my poor
Miss Virginia grew every day more pale
They seemed very strange people over the
way, and it was only sometimes on a Sunday
that any one at our place caught a glimpse
of them, and then one perhaps would come
to a window for few minutes and sit and
talk to Miss Adela-one of the elder sisters,
mean; and when caught sight of them,
used to think that it was no wonder they had
taken to dressing so primly and so plain, for
they must have given up all hope of getting
husbands long before.
Mr.. Barclay suggested to Sir John twice in
my hearing that he should invite his new
tenants over TO dinner; and once, in hest
tatiAg Way hinted Something about Miss
Virginia calling. But Sir John only grurted;
while l saw my dear young lady dart such
an indignant look at Mr.. Barclay as made
him silent for the rest of the evening, and
seem ashamed of what he had said.
talked about it a good deal to Tom as
sat before my pantry fire of an evening; and
he used to leap up in my lap and sit and
look up at me with his big eyes, which were
as full of knowingness at those times as they
were stupid and slit like at others. He was
great favorite of mine, was Tom, and had
been ever since found him, half starved
kitten in the area, and took him and fed
him till he grew up the fine cat he was.
There's going to be trouble come of it,
Tom," l used to say; and to my mind, the
best thing that could have happened for US
would have been for over the way to have
stopped empty; for, instead of things going
on smoothly and pleasantly, they got worse
every day. Sir John said very little, but he
was a man who noticed a great deal. Mr..
Barclay grew restless and strange, but he
never said word now about going away.
While, as for Miss Virginia, she seemed to
me to be growing older and more serious in
q wonderful way; but when she was spoken
to she had always pleasant smile and
bright look, though it faded away again di-
rectly, Just as the sunshine does when there
are clouds. She used to pass the greater part
of her time reading to Sir John, and she
kept his accounts for him and wrote his
letters; and one morning as | was clearing
away the breakfast things, Mr.. Barclay being
there, reading the paper, Sir John says,
sharply: "Those people opposite haven't
paid their first quarters rent"
No one spoke for moment or two, and
then, in lidgety, sharp way, Mr. Barclay
says: "Why, it was only due yesterday,
father"
''Thank you, SIR" says Sir John, in a
curiously polite way; 81 know that; but it
was due yesterday, and it ought to have bccn
paid. 'Ginny, write a note 10 the Misses
Mimpriss with my compliments, and say
shall be Obliged ~ their sending the rent"
Miss Virginia got up and walked across
to the writing table, and | went on very
slowly clearing Tie cloth, for Sir John alway ;
treated me as if was a piece of furniture;
but felt uncomfortable. for it seemed to me
that there was going to be a quarrel.
was right, for as Miss Virginia began to
NIlIo MI. DdItIAy CRUSHED Jl.' news. .l,"'' IN
in his hands and said hotly: Surely, father
you are not goin; to Insult those ladies by
asking them for the money the moment it is
duer'
''Yes, am, sir" says the old gentleman
sharply, land you mind your own business.
When I'm dead, you can collect your own
rents as you ike while live shall do the
same"
Miss Virginia got up quickly and went and
laid her hand upon Sir Johns breast without
saying a word; but her pretty appealing act
meant deal, and the old man took the little
white hand in his and kissed it tenderly
you go and do as | bid you, my pet" he
said, land you, Burden, wait for the note,
take it over, and bring an answer"
''Yes, Sir john" 1 said quietly, and
heard Miss Virginia give a little sob as she
went and sat down and began writing Then
] saw that the trouble was coming, and that
there was to be a big quarrel between father
and SON
"Look here, father" says Mr.. Barclay,
getting up and walking about the room, 81
never interfere with your afYairs"--