San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-03-19
lima crying as though her heart 1co'dd break

authoritatively, Ego into the house and
finish copying those extracts for me.
Don't think of anything that has been said
to you. Trust in my word that all is
right No one can rob me of you! DO
not fear"
Alma Obeyed When she was out of
sight, Mrs Churchill turned Indignantly
towards the inSolent intruder.
"YOu are a wicked, mercileSS woman,
to come and disturb that child's peace in
this cruel, cruel way! IfyOu want money,
why did you not come to me for it?
would have given my hearts blood rather
than have had Alma learn that she did
not belong to me by right!'
"Shes got to know it, and she might
as well be ready to go with me, for I've
come to take her away. I'm hungry to
have something of my own to love-"
MIR. Churchill will spend his fortune
to the last farthiEg in fighting your claim,
Maria, so you had better listen to reason,
and make settlement without going to
law about it. You gave us Alma OF your
own free will.
Il was a heartless slip of a girl then,
half mad AZ having been deceived and left
ny my fathless lover. But L We come to
my feelings now"
1t would be best to gain Maria's good
will if possible, thought Mrs. Churchill,
so as to pave the way to negotiations
about Alma's guardianship.
Come to us this evening when Mr.
churchill is home, Maria, and we will
talk the matter over"
Then Mrs. Churchill slipped gold piece
into the woman's hand
g Go at once and buy yourself some re-
spectable garments"
I'll do as you say, ma'am, but I'm
oound to get my child any way. Soifthis
moneys bride you'd best take it back"
" It's free gift, Maria"
"lll take it, then. Good luck to YOU
for your kindness"
Meanwhile another visitor had appeared
upon the scene. According to his usual
habit, he had gone directly to the library
without sending up his name, for Robert
| Aylmer was a constant and privileged
guest at the Churchills'.
His surprise and CONSERVATION were
great at finding Alma curled up in huge
easy-chair, her golden head buried in its
cushions so that her face was hidden from
sight, and crying as though her heart
would break.
At the sound of her convulsive sobs
Robert paused in dismay for an instant.
Then he went forward and tried to turn
her face so that he could see her as he
questioned.
| please, Robert, go away; when you
know what l do you'll never want to see
me again"
Roberts answer was to kiss her.
when that time comes, my little Alma,
it will be when the sun stops giving its
| light. l couldn't live without seeing yoU
every day, and when we are married
shall not let you out of my sight at ALL"
Alma raised her eyes with a piteous
look up to the bright handsome face.
THAT will never be, Robert. 1 have
| just heard the most dreadful woman say
that am not Alma Churchill at all, but
her-that horrible creature s-very own"
GA very likely story" exclaimed Rob-
ert Indignantly; how did she dare?"
"But it is true. I saw it on mammals
face. She looked as though death-blow
had been given her."
"Well, they can't say you are not my
wife after we are married and you are
the only girl I'll ever marry, whatever
| your name may be before it is Alma
| Aylmer."
So when Mrs. Churchill came in upon
them, instead of finding Alma in tears as
she had expected, she saw face of bloom
ing sweetness, marke ed with sorrow.
| Her task had been rendered an easy
one by the help Of Roberts apparent in
| difference to the discovery of the truth
which had been 50 shocking to Alma her
self.
] But away from Alma, Robert no longer