San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-08-27

"Why, John, I am sure you never werei"
Therefore, Jane, therefore the young men
Of today are not marrying rich girls on
limited incomes Delmar Is trusted clerk,
trusted with everything but large salary,
and he couldn't buy Vinnie's hats without
cheating the butcher"
"But, John, if he loves herr
cha! hal"
"Johnn-
"Jane, don't be foolish"
"John, will speak. You have no right to
assume that Winnie or Mr.. Delmar will act
sensibly-men are always fools. and that
faxen wretch is no exception. You mark
my words
''No more, Jane You alarm me for the
stability of your mind. Go read the pa
pers, and keep posted on the progress of the
age" -,
Yet Mrs. Baxter was right and Mr.. Baxter
was wrong. In spite of the size of his salary
and a worldly wisdom acquired in billiard
and smoking rooms, Delmar drifted into
love- and Winnie, who ought to have known
better, did not check him. It may have been
the solitude, youthful defiance, or love, or a
combination of all three.
Eight days later Mrs. Baxter drew Mr..
Baxter aside once more and said to him, with
a face expressive of justiiable triumph which
motherly anxiety could not conceal:
~ will not reproach you, John. Come to
the window and see for yourself"
"Shes crazy" said Mr.. Baxter; but be
followed her to the window.
Look! there by the wreck! They have
been sitting there for an hour, her hand in
his"
Mr.. Baxter took the proffered opera glass
scornfully, looked carelessly, cried profanely.
Young men are no longer free and open
hearted as they were when you were young,
john" observed Mrs. Baxter, after first re-
treating to safe distance. "Delmar is not
a fool, bpt he has taken Vinnies hand in
his"
He threw the glass on the lounge and
rushed forth swiftly. 81 hope have not
caused any trouble" said Mrs. Baxter, pol
ishing the eye piece, but at least will see
1t out"
After sitting for three-quarters Of an hour
In silence Delmar had just taken Vinnie's
other hand preparatory to saying something,
when Mr.. Baxter turned the corner of the
red umbrella which sheltered the lovers.
"Sirp said Delmar, rising in some per-
turbation.
Winnie clasped her hands and looked
heroic.
At the same time, unnoticed by the inter
esting trio, fourth person was moving
toward the umbrella. He was a large man
of heshy habit, with singularly benevolent
countenance and severe head Of iron gray
hair. His garments were Of plain black, but
not eccentric in their simplicity, and he
might have been taken for a pastor on
holiday, had not the jaunty roll of his hat
brim and the slim cane he carried forbade
the assumption.
"Srl" said Mr.. Baxter, in return. 81
confound your impudence!"
That was not what he started out to say,
but heroic sentiments and rounded invective
do not come with ready grace, unless the
speaker is on the stage. And as for Winnie,
who at this stage should have said, Father,
implore you'll" she said "Oh, ya!" in a silly
way.
Meanwhile the man with the singularly
benevolent countenance was approaching the
red umbrella with slow but sure strides.
"Sir," said Delmar, in return, speaking
with an artificial calmness, natural under
the circumstances, ~ am not aware that
have done anything to incur your dis
pleasure" Then conscious that his language
was becoming stilted, he dropped into the
vernacular: "It's just this way, Mr.. Baxter.
When first met Vinnie"--
''Vinnie, indeed!" roared Mr.. Baxter.
"Why, man, you haven't known her three
weeks! She doesn't know you, l don't know
you Who are you, anyhow"
my name you know, sir" turning slightly
pale, land as for my antecedents, they will
compare favorably with any young man in
New York. My prospects, I can honestly
say, arefavorable."
Mr.. Baxter shifted.
"As for why fell in love with your
daughter, let me say with equal honesty that
ment Winnie leaned heavily against her
father and murmured, "Ohl Edwardw
At this juncture the man with the benevo-
lent countenance looked around the ribs of
the umbrella and said:
"Hal see it all!
Mr.. Baxter turned upon the intruder with
a ferocious stare.
"Who are you, sirF' he demanded.
The intruder lifted his glossy hat and
made a sweeping bow which took in the
assembled company, the ocean and the sky
itself. Then he replaced it, and said, in
round and ringing but not unpleasant voice:
II am perfect stranger. beg, sir, that
you will not mistake me-"
Mr.. Baxter looked at Delmar, and Winnie
looked at both, and it was evident that they
knew him not.
The stranger noticed the interchange of
looks and smiled more blandly than before.
'In order to prevent any misconception,"
said he, permit me to assure you in the