San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-10-12

CruSlON OUTSIDE OF DeT OWN private apart
ments. The ugly Mrs. Potts twho, under
stand, was of Knickerbocker extraction) took
q lively interest in these proceedings, e1-
@rting Der niece to be less shy, and warning
her to be more careful by turns lie was "a
dreadful fIrt, )" she declared, but then he YVES
an extraordinary ''catch," and it would not
do to be swayed by mere personal feelings i'll
such q case.
"If you know what you are about, you'll
use every effort" she said impressively.
To which Miss Rosemond only made re-
joinder by looking sternly through tho win
dow and remarking, AUNT Agatha, am
shocked"
Mrs. Frail was afraid, but as Mrs. Potts
decidedly favored II and she herself wa
pleased at the thought Of such ali sdventurs.
Mis- .EoSlM0nd week or two Later accepted
the ursssit Invitation Of her persistent ed
miref to sail out with him to the liSbtship,
anchored OF, the shoals fifteen miles out t.
sea from E.rstoort. The acceptance OF such
an unusual proposal, while it confirmed
Lorne in the belief that the two elder women
were throwing the younger at his head, and
that the younger was already won, to Lees
mind, probably meant simply that Mrs Frail
was weak, Mrs. Potts obstinate and Miss
Roeamond Northumberland, yes-a little
reckless.
They were to have started in the morning,
but Unforeseen accidents, with the exact
nature of which I am unacquainted, delayed
their departure until 2 o'clock in the after
noon. This would involve returning after
nightfall, as everybody knew, and Mrs.
Frail took occasion to renew her objections;
but Miss Rosamond was loath to be cheated
out of an adventure merely because of unfore-
seen accidents, and trusting to Mr.. Lorne's
assurance that they could easily return by 8
o'clock, she decided to CO. with her aunt's, If
not her mothers full approval
So when all was ready they walked boldly
down to the beach and took their seats in the
little boat, calmly trusting themselves in the
hands of a single gloomy, wooden faced
sailor. During the first half hour Miss
Rosamond's attention was divided between
the porpoises and this grim boatman, whose
green, expressionless eyes concerned them
selves with the sails or industriously scanned
the sea, but never rested on her even for
moment, which struck her as quite extraor-
binary. Her companion, who talked con-
stantly, addressing her in low, suggestive,
daunted meanwhile; but later she entered
more into what he was saying, and the trivial,
low toned conversation flowed on delight
fully. Lorne told himself that he had passed
few more pleasant afternoons, and the light
ship doomed up big and close at hand all too
soon for him, though it was later by two
hours than he had anticipated.
1t was now seen that to return to shore by
s o'clock, or even by Q, would be i'm
possible, but Miss Rosamond was not afraid,
being occupied by her surroundings, which
were of nature to interest her greatly.
The sun had quite set and the ocean was
wrapped in a dusky haze when they were as
sisted on board the weather worn old ship,
whose great beacon light aloft, burning its
steady signal to the mariner far out at sea,
seemed to quicken and intensity the surround
ing gloom
They were politely received by the keeper
or captain of the lightship, who ordered a
meal served to them in the cabin, which,
being supplemented by bottle of Madeira,
was we'll worthy of their attention. The
Wine proved to be so good, in fact, that Lofnc
was moved to propose toast to the health
of their host, to which Miss Rosamond re-
sponded with much enthusiasm. They also
drank to their safe return to shore before ~
o'clock, and were very merry dallying over
the table longer than they knew Finally
Miss Rosamond asked if they ought not to be
going, and Lorne then rose and went on deck
in search of the captain, whom he found ut
the traffrail, looking intently through his
glass toward the south.
Every sorry" he began, before the young
man had time to speak, but id if | amt
afraid you'll have to bunk with us tonight.
Squall comm up-strike us in less n an hour"
He raised his arm and again looked through
the glars. Eyes, Stree" he added, "you'll
have to lay over till mornin'."
Talcott Lornc was thundcrst.uck why,
it's impoSsible!" he exclaimed. where's our
boatman9 We must get Off at once"
Hes gone below-fx'n' to stay over
night"
The rascal!-to leave us in the lurch like
that!"
you couldn't git him in that boat to
night" declared the captain, hint of laugh
ter in his tone.
But we must go ashore" persisted Lorae,
earnestly. THAT young lady-you see your
self
Eyes, hits pity, specially as there amt
no women folks on board: my wife amt
h'yer tonight, ner the other one, hair one.
But eff you try to 60 ashore in that boat to-
night, you're goin' to the bottom-I tell we
right up and down"
Lorne was in despair, but be made one
more effort; could he not have another boat,
larger one, with men to man it; he would
do or pay anything in turn. Quite impos-
sible, the old captain declared, decisively;
the only boat strong enough to make the
trial was already on shore. "I'm sorry for
you, sir, !" he added. with genuine sympathy