San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-03-10

interview, was quite ~, and the visitor,
oppressed with n sense OF partial defeat,
took long walk through the country
The enemy hld made such an extraordin
airy movement that for the time he was
disconnected, and he wished to be alone,
that he could think over the situation.
About six o'clock in the afternoon
he returned, looking bright and calm,
as IL he had thought out his prob
lem and had nerved himself up TO do
and dare all in behalf Of the woman he
loved. He went quietly TO his room and
began his preparations for vigorous as
sault upon the enemy.
He rolled out his micro-lantern into the
middle of the room, drew up the curtains
at the window that faced Mr.. Belford's
chamber, and prepared TO adjust the ap-
paratus TO a new and most singular style
OF lantern projections. He hel hardly
finished the work to his satisfac ion be-
fore he heard Alma's knock at the door
He hastily drew down the curtains, and
then invited her to come in.
She opened the door and appeared upon
the threshold, the picture Of resigned and
heavy sorrow. She had evidently BEEN
weeping, and the dark dress in which she
had arrayed herself seemed to intensity
the look Of anguish on her face The son
of science was disconnected. He did not
know what 20 say, and, with great wis
dom, he said nothing.
She entered the room without word,
and sat YEARLY down on a trunk. Elmer
quickly rolled out the great easy chair so
that it would face the open western win
dow.
"Sit here, Miss Denny This is far
more comfortable
"Oh, Elmer! Have you, too, turned
against meY''
Not knowingly. Sit here where there
is more air, and before this view and this
beautiful sunset"
She rose, and with forlorn smile took
the great chair, and then gazed absently
out of the window upon the charming
landscape. brilliant with the glow OF the
setting sun. Elmer meanwhile went on
with his work, and for a little space
neither spoke. Then she said, with
faint trace of Impotence in her voice:
"What are you doing, Elmer
preparing for war"
at is useless. 1t is too late
"Think sou
eyes. Everything has been settled,
and in a very satisfactory manner-at
least father IL sGtistied, and / suppose ]
ought to be-
She smiled and held out her hand to
him.
"How can | ever thank you, Cousin
Elmer? You will not forget me when |
am gone"
"Forget you, Alma! That was unkind."
He took her hand, glanced at the dia-
mond ring upon her finger, and looking
down upon her as she lay half reclining
in the great chair he said, with an effort,
as il the words panied him:
"Alma, have you surrendered to him"
She looked up with startled expires.
sion, and said:
What do you mean?"
"You have renewed your engagement
with Mr.. Belford?"
"Yes-of course have. He--he is TO
be my husband"--
'On Wednesday,"
"Yes. How did you know it?''
Instead of replying he turned to
drawer and drew forth long ribbon Of
white paper. Holding it TO the light, near
the window, he began to read the words
printed in dots and lines upon it.
Here is your own confession. Here
are all the messages you sent me from the
parlOr, when you broke your engagement
with him
oh. Elmer! Did you save that? De-
ttroy it-destrOy it at once. If he should
find it he would never forgive me-
You need not fear | shall not de-
stroy it, and it shall never cause you any
trouble"
She had risen in her excitement, and
stood upon her feet Suddenly she
flushed rosy red, and strange light
shone in her eyes. The sun had sunk be-
hind the hills, and it had grown dark.
As the shadows gathered in the room a
strange mystic light fell on the
ground before her. A piCture-dim,
ghostly, gigantic and surprisingly
Deautiful-met her astonlshed gaze.
She gazed at il with n beating
heart, awed into silence by its mystery and
its unearthly aspect. What was it' What
did 1t mean By what magic art had he
conjured up this visIony She stood with
parted lips gazing at it. while her bosom
rose and fell with her rapid, excited
breathing Suddenly she threw her arms
above her head, and with cry fell back
upon the chair.
'Oh. Elmerl My heart
He had been gazing Gbsently out Of the
window at the fading twilight, and hear
ing her cry Of pain, he turned hastily and
said:
alma, what is it? Are you"-
He caught sight of the picture on the
wall He understood it a once, and went
TO the stereopticon that stood al the other
end of the room and opened it. The lamp
was burning brightly, and he put il out
and closed the door Then he drew out
the glass slide, held II moment to the
IN la ~ A lrna @
portrait, and then he kissed it passion
ately, and shivered it into fragments upon
the hearthstOne.
She heard the breaking class, and rose
hastily and turned toward him.
Elmer, that was cruel. Why did you
destroy itH'
Because It told too much"
'Itwas my picturef"
eyes. 1 confess with shame that |
stole it when you were asleep under the
influence Of the gas / gave you. II hap
pened TO be in the lantern when you came
in
And so saw it pictured on the wall?''
Yes. In that way did it betray me-
Forget it, Alma. Forget me. Forget
everything. Forget that l ever came
here''-
"No-never. / cannOt.n
You will be married soon and go
away. ! presume we may never meet
again"
'Oh, Elmer. forgive me. l am the
one to be forgiven. l am alone to
blame for all this sorrow. I thought
/ alone should suffer But-but, Elmer,
you will not forget me, and you see
you must see that what do is for the
best, 1t is the only way. carnot see
my father beggared."
The clear headed son of science seemed