San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-01-15


mother, should guess at the emotion she felt;
as for BASIL she would prove by her airy and
serene demeanor how easily she had got over
the past.
The next morning, when Mime. Paritof
was quafIlng her matutinal glass of water
with the aid Of sirep dc Groseilles and sundry
grimaces, at the Pauhon, she was prised
to see her daughter bestow a gracious bow on
young man who was approaching, and who,
unlike the generality Of their acquaintance,
had not first uncovered. Down went Nine
Paritoffs glass and up went her gold pince
nez, Just in time to see Basil Twickenham
color up to the roots of his brown hair and
return the salute with grave dignity.
do you see, mammal 1t is MIR. Twicken-
ham," said Anna, in her most matter of fact
tones. "How funny to meet him here again,
is it notn
Mime. ParitoR gasped, and clutched her
daughters arm for support, while t." latter
gazed serenely at the approaching figure;
that blush was balm to her feelings, the sight
of her evidently made him uncomfortable
so much the better; she would try and make
him more SO.
The momentary confusion had, however,
died away az completely as the blush when
Basil stood by her SIDE greeting her as calmly
as though he, an ordinary acquaintance, had
parted from her yesterday.
His prevailing sentiments were those Of as
constituent and admiration; establishment
that the tnid, half developed damsel of FIVE
years ago should have grown into this beau
tiful, queenly girl; admiration not only of
her person, but of her manner, her self pos
session, the easy grace with which she con-
Quoted herself under circumstances which
most people would have found embarrassing.
Nine. Parltof, however, could not dissem-
bic so WELL and was almost Extensively rude,
after few moments putting an end to the
conversation by drawing her daughters arm
through hers and walking away.
The ice was bronen, nevertheless and.
after few days, Basil again found himself
on intimate terms with the Paritoffs; Anna
having made her mother understand the ad
visibility Of proving that they were in no
wise heart broken. or even piqued, by his be-
havior in the past, and, further, announcing
|. Cnuch to the latter's surprise) that it amused
her to see him again. To Basil the renewal
of acquaintanceship under such altered cir
cumstances was not altogether delightful; he
! was more hurt and annoyed at Annals airy
unconcern than he would have cared to own,
and his sense Of shame for the past was sec
ond only to the interest which she now eXcit
ed in him They met frequently, and he in
variably found her charming, affable and
amusing, but, apparently, hopelessly indiffer.
ent to himself. The consequences which en-
sued were those which he had least anticipat-
cd. At systematically, after five years
knocking about the world, be fell in love
over again with the girl who had captivated
him when just escaped from college. Real
love this time, and all the more intense be-
,ause, humble and devote himself as he
might, her cool reserve was impenetrable.
Matters came to a crisis one day when he
WAS sitting beside her, little apart from tho
laxative circle, where Nine. PGritOff
reigned supreme.
The band was playing an air which bad
been a favorite with the Paritoffs in old
times, and to which friend of theirs had
set some words:
On dit, mon ange, je les sais bien
Que famour change-Oh ne'n crois rien
So it began, finishing with the assertion:
Lamour Qui change nest point lamour
Basil had heard Anna sing it many @ time in
those by-gOne days, and somehow, at the
sound, his prudence was flung to the winds,
and almost before he knew what he was
doing, be bent forward and was declaring
his love, Anna just turned her eyes toward
him, without changing either her attitude or
the expression Of her face-at first, that is to
say. As Basil, however, losing his head more
and more in his excitement, proceeded to
aver that his love, though it had slumbered
for brief space, was nevertheless ardent
and true, and had been reawakened at the
very sight of her, smile rippled over her
face, which presently gave way to low
burst Of ecstatic laughter.
pray excuse me-" she said endeavoring
to resume her gravity; II really cannot help
tit is such . comedyr
Basil looked at her reproachfully, his
handsome debonaire face clouded over, a
sudden pallor replacing the customary warm
brown Of his complexion"
That there should be any talk of love be-
tween us-now," pursued Anna, with an ir-
repressible quaver In her voice. and the cor
ners Of her mouth still dimpling with sup
pressed laughter at Is too ridiculous, you
know!"
'Why should it be ridiculousT cried Basil,
goaded into passion. you loved me well
enough oncen-
''Ah, oncsr' Sho interrupted, her eyes FASH
Ing for moment; then, quick TO resume her
former anguid amusement, al did many
things once that should not care to do now;
wore short skirts, and played with q doll,
and trundled hoop-I have outgrown all
these enfantillages, you seel"
well, if the memory of the past cannot
touch you, at least have right to be heard
at present." said Basil, In a kind OF subdued
fury. If yoN-you ssem to think that my
love-0ur love Of old-wGs but childs play,