San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-07-30
ELSA
The White Face At The Window,
Written by Edith Aiken for the Light.

FIRST CHAPTER Began IN NO. l33. JUNE 29.l
"Be assured OF our love and protec-
ton, and whatever the nature of the
persecution that follows you, your
friends through the law shall find
way toprotect you from it.
"Then you do not know to what
indignity 1 have been subjected?
perhaps when you hear-when you
know"-The lady sat upright and
turned on her new friend look OF
wistful, pitiful questioning. Would
they remain steadfast in spite of
Hedge Woodburn's vile calumny,
would they believe her honorable
when her nearest and dearest had
doubted, and friendships of years had
parted like sand, before SANDERS
insidious force.
Mrs. Graham who had gone to the
closet, and was doing some little SER
vice for her guest, came back at the
last hesitating questions, and draw
ing her head to her warm kind bosom
said tenderly:
My darling if every slanderous word
that has been uttered to your hurt
were true, we should still be your
devoted friends. We gave our love
years ago, we cannot take it from you
even if you have committed errors
that may grieve or shock u.s." She
smiled down at the face resting on
her breast very confident Of the puri-
ty and truth looking out from it. But
we do not believe you have"
"Thank you. / should like to tell
you all tonight, but am so sleepy
1 wonder at i'll thought should
never sleep again"
Mrs. Graham smiled, the sedative
she had administered was beginning
to be felt in the poor overweight
brain, and she hoped the best results
from it, after restful sleep. So
hushing the half uttered words with
gentle positiveness, she helped her
make ready for the delicious bed
waiting for her, and where she sank
to sleep even while the tender mother
kiss was pressed upon her lips.
CHAPTER Y.
1t was one o'clock New Year day,
a tempting luncheon was spread in
Mrs. Graham's deligtfully easy dining
room, and Arthur Hidden was there
with his Aunt waiting the appearance
of her guest. Mrs. Graham had just
come from the chamber and reported
the rested and happy condition of
Elsa, and her near readiness 10 ap-
pear.
"Ah, here she is now" she ex-
claimed, as the lady appeared in the
doorway holding back the portiere
and regarding them with bright glad
looks, yet with just hint of shyness.
Arthur fastened forward with out
stretched hand, and she gave him
both hers, and for brief moment
they regarded each other their eyes
on a level.
"You are Elsa, my generous friend
and teacher! how could fail to recog-
nize your"
"Not more strange that Ishould
fail to recognize you. We have both
changed"
He led Elsa to chair before the
glowing CRATE, while Mrs. Graham
rang for hot water, and they both
tried to make her feel how welcome
her presence was to them.
"How delightfully."- it has cleared
away" she glanced through the wide
sunny windows on level with the
street, and then shrank back. ~
suppose am very foolish and very
nervous, but 1 should feel more at
my ease if the screen was drawn be-
tween me and the window. You will
not wonder at me when I tell you my
story"
Her friends glanced at each other,
and Arthur fastened to comply with