San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-05-22

presence Of Suzanne he was cold and reserved
At times he would pass his hand over his
forehead, as though his thoughts troubled
him. Every morning by o'clock he was on
horseback, and it was often 10 before he re-
turned, his horse always showing signs of
having been ridden hard
Suzanne's position was well known in the
family. An old friend of my uncle a captain
in the Third cuirassiers, had, on his death
bed, named him in his will Us the guardian of
his daughter Suzanne, then girl of years,
pupil in a convent
One morning my uncle aroused me early.
Two saddled horses were waiting for u.s. and
| accompanied him in his daily ride We
were riding side by side when, suddenly turn
ing toward me, he said;
why do you not marryT
laughed and replied:
Because have not cared to do so. And
you3"
"kh, II am too old. What do you think
of SuZaune?'
''She is one of the most beautiful and faSci-
mating girls have ever met"
'VeEy well, | wish you to marry her."
| looked him full in the eyes. He was con-
fused
THAT is not true" said "You love her.
He laughed with a forced laugh as he re-
piled:
Nonsense! my ward! Why, am twenty
three years older than she! | would be mad
to think of marrying her"
Il do not know whether or not YOU are
mad, but know, my dear uncle, that you
are trying to deceive yourself"
'lt is not So" he answered. "If thought
it was generally supposed that | wished to
marry her would leave this place at once"
"Ah, well, let US say no more about it,"
said.
During breakfast observed my uncle and
Suzanne Her manner coward him was win
some and attentive, while his was reserved
and severe.
After breakfast, as the morning was beauti-
full, we all went into the garden. As we
were leaving the house told Suzanne that |
wanted a few words with her, and we walked
apart from the others. She became a little
pale as she exclaimed:
"Ah, already"
perceived that my uncle was casting a
dark look toward us. 1t was Suzanne who
first spoke.
My guardian" she said, "told me of his
plans yesterday. l do not know whether or
~
me wish to say that l shall only marry
man whom love, and / do not love you"
IL thank you for your frankness, I" replied
Il do not, however, agree with my uncle, and
approve of your sentiments I cannot up-
derstand why he should be SO anxious for US
to marry"
1T is not difficult to understand" she an
swered. HE wishes to rid himself of
-
marry. He evidently loves some woman.
But why doesn't he marry I'D leave me to
myself will not trouble him. / can re-
main as a teacher in the convent where am
studying. That is my choice"
"A tearfrolled down her soft cheek.
You would not like to see him marrisdp'
said
al" she exclaimed. 1T would be moth
ing"-
She did not finish the sentence; a sob
choked her. Then, suddenly turning from
me, she ran down into the garden, leaving me
standing alone
How she loves himIn exclaimed
That evening went to my uncle's chamber
and related the scene to him. He was pale as
a specter.
"You have done bad thing" he said.
"How so, since have FeVealed'you to each
other and shown you how to be happyT"
"Happyt" exclaimed my uncle. II tell you
that Fwould be a monster If / should marry
SuZannel"
l was dumfounded. He made me promise
that Suzanne should never know what he was
about to reveal to me- l felt that | vas
growing as pale as my uncle
r.sPo you know, how the father Of Suzanne
dief" he asked. "Do you know thatf
His emotion was terrible to see; he trembled
like leaf
Il killed himl Do you heart He was killed,
and was his slayer. And love his daugh-
ter with a passion that is killing me-shat is
my horrible expiation-Ohl yes, l know the
duel was fair. challenged him He was an
old wrangler, jealous and envious He was
i'll favored, disagreeable and had no chance
of advancement | was handsome, popular
and rose rapidly in the service; was envied.
| was Fortunes favorite He insulted me-
Fortunes favorite to the last, killed him.
/ ortune's favorite to the last, love his
daughter and she loves me. But we cannot
jointhands over the dead body of her father
On his deathbed he called me to him and
gave me his written testament in which he
was.henceforth alone in the world; and as he
gave it to me he said:
You have killed the father; you will
watch over the child"
In less than year from the time my uncle
told me of his duel with Suzanne's father,
the battle of Woerth was fought. Our forces
were in retreat and we were approaching
Niederbronn. was galloPing beside my
hot fnT.rr a,
Make way therel make way" cried my
rcllrn- to Il