San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-08
HAND TO HAND.
By REBECCA HARDING DAVIS.
[Copyrighted.l
PART I,


bore, that l might sleep sofr and live
warm! its well l do know them all. You
will neve' want the care of a son again, so
help me Godw
Eyes, yes knew you would say that"
cried the major "But of what use was it
all? You have ruined yourself. I know
what am. Who told you thisT
"a man who came from Virginia to find
you"
"Whay does he want"
HE would not tell me-" Proctor's face
clouded The majors quick eyes marked it.
He has a warrant for me, supposep sui
len and logged.
Il do not know. He refused to give me
any hint
There were several little affairs-there's
no use in their stirring up muddy
water, chat l can see," peevshly.
but if its criminal-let me alone, Jack,
catching the young mans sleeve. "You shall
not drag yourself down for me- I'll not have
my whole life thwarted," fiercely.
Jacks answer was to glance around the
poverty stricken garnet, and at his own
costly, quiet dress. The tears were in his
eyes, Were one now, come what will,
father" he said, quietly. THAT is the man
at the door"
The major went to open it. "Ill balk them
yet" he muttered. I'm not drag Jack
down" He came back in a moment, huge
yellow envelope in his hand. "IIe sent it in
letter. a man can't be arrested by letter?
1t may be'-turning it over. What's this?
God bless my soul, what's this! Why, it's no
arrest!"
THANK God for that" muttered Proctor.
Robert Standish is dead, jack" porting
and muttering over parchment sheet.
is he, sir?' indifferently. Jack was stand
ing awkwardly alone, for Madeline, whom
he had time to notice now, was engrossed in
tying up some drawings of hers, which she
was going to take away with her. She would
not leave one vestige of herself in her old
home, she thought. The old man would go
with his son to the delicate little rosebud of
a girl. As for her, what did it matter that
she had 40 home, nobody on earth but them!
that her life had held nothing but them?
The drawings looked like masterpieces of
art to Jack; he had heard of Maidy's genius.
How cold and still she had grown in these
two yeas! 1t might be devotion to art and
to her work. She looked as impassive and
distracted as if she had gone into some
height unknown to him, from whence she
would l,ok down on all his fan.les and his
Jack ne cer remained long in doubt about
anything.
"Madty!" He crossed the hearth rug to
the corner where she stood and took up her
hand. THE ring: It's gone"
Maddy glanced down careleSSly. "Ring?
Yes; remember now. That ring was too
small took it off long ago"
Jacks eyes twinkled; he held her wrist
tight. "How long ago? Within the hour?
See how red aud bruised the poor little hand
isr'
The pity was too much for heroic Maddy.
She gave a Sob but held the tears back in her
wet. miserable eyes. Jack rever knew in all
his life how deep the bruise went when that
ring came off He looked at her steadily.
closer, closer; lifted the hurt hand till his
breath touched it, then kissed it. Just as he
used to Kiss her lips long ago; as no man had
touched them since; as they never would be
kissed again
She drew back you have no right to
play with me in that way" At the first tone
of her altered voice. Jack stood startled and
grave. "What do you mean, Madeline! You
need not feign that you did not know l loved
you when l went away two years ago."
you were under no promise to me-"
quickly Il have no right to reproach you. "
mo promise. But loved you"
''And now little Clara has taken my place."
with icy composure. II do not think that
strange"
THAT poor little creature! Oh, Madeiine!'
That touch Of contempt was worth more
than a thousand arguments. do you
mean to say you don't love her, JackE'
catching his coat lapelS with both her
hands. I've been $3.50 miserable! T.
She dropped her head and said no
more; Blu; the little Burgundy rose had
opened its heart to him now with all its
sweetness and spicy perfume, and Jack knew
the flavor Of it well He had been waiting
for it for good many years.
They sat together in shaded corner; the
major was porting over his parchment by fire
light. After awhile Madeline referred to her
rival again, patronizingly. CLARA is pretty,
you must acknowledge, Jack. Though she is
weak, as YOU say, poor child"
II don't know" said Mr. Jack, whose con-
science twinged him with certain moonlight
walks in Chicago She was very consider
ate and kind to me, Madeline Her father
was anxious for me 10 take the First church
here But I'd made up my mind to that
little home in the west-if you would go with
me-"
Il always thought you'd come for me, "
said honest Maddy
The major was looking at them over his
spectacles. 80! Sof" he said, in amaze
II ~