San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-12-09

self to little sedate or profound thought.
Events had occurred with such rapidity
and close succession that life was really
whirling with him.
1t was only as he drew near the hotel
where the mother and daughter were
staying that he realized that, after all,
the one thing which seemed important
to him above all others was this visit.
Why, he was at a loss to tell, and it
was with something of shock that he
was compelled to confess to himself that
above all and through all the beautiful
face of Annie Templeton had been be-
fore him constantly.
Men will deceive themselves, Just as
Holbrook did, when he answered his
own awakening by saying: Her face
haunts me as beautiful picture | some
times see will linger with me for days"
The ladies met him in the public par
lor of the hotel. They welcomed him as
a highly priced friend, and the trust
with which they fairly threw themselves
upon him was very pleasant.
They had waited for him anxiously,
and they were deeply interested in the
smallest detail of the business he had I'M
dertaken for them. They hung upon
his words as if he were to bring them
salvation.
MY first STEP" he said. will be to
take out letters of administration for
Mrs. Temr.eton, and this done we can
take possession of all your brothers af-
fairs"
He explained to them that the proceed
ings were likely to be long delayed and
vexatious, and it was not long before he
found himself installed not only as legal
counsel, but as adviser upon all points in
family matters.
1t was very agreeable to him, to be the
recipient of all the little condolences as
to family details, cost of living, the
ways and means - and he, who for
twelve years had lived a bachelor life,
found domestic considerations highly in
teresting, especially when presided over
by beautiful girl who paid special def
erence to his own wisdom.
1t was agreed that they should return
to their home in Plainfeld the following
day, and set it in order for a prolonged
absence.
While they were gone he was to OBJ
tain for them apartments, where they
would be at less expense than hotel
and secure greater comforts.
He did not tell them of the suspicious
entertained by Tom Bryan and himself,
for, in truth, he would have found it
difficult to have presented them in an
Ineligible manner, if he had thought it
wise to arouse hopes he was not certain
of realizing.
Touching the murder, he informed
them that series of inquiries had been
instituted, but that as yet it was impos-
sible to say anything as to the result.
Finally he drew away from the sub
ject in which the two ladies were so
much interested, and directed their
thoughts to other channels. Thus he in
duced them to lay aside their sorrows
for a time, until the hours passed so rap
idly that the clock pointed 1 before he
was aware it was so late
He was more and more pleased with
the character of Annie Templeton, her
artlessness and sincerity and her charms
of mind and temper.
That night he sat long in his room at
the open window over his cigar. his
thoughts busy with the charming young
girl with whom, through accident appar-
emily, he stood in closer relation than
any other man, and he grew very tender
over them.
CHAPTER XVII.
ON NEWPORT vERANDA.
ST.