San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-02-15

so that his painting was like himself, a thing
Of beginnings and capriceS
The weeks went by, the Bartors had long
been gone, and still Larry Underhil stayed
on in Stonybank, driving, walking and
sketching with Cora Fernald He did not
leave the place until near November, and
then it was reported that she had had a letter
from him.
"Whatd tell you that night at Gabe's
wedding" sagely remarked Eben Wrentham.
And since then I've seen him, many's the
time, trampin' the woods after leaves and
things for her"
Steve Thatcher gave a coarse laugh. "Did
ye ever watch u ground sparrer try to get
you off the track of its nestl It'll keep fut-
term round tree stump as If there warn't
anything on this earth it cared about but that
particular spot"
"You mean the Fernald girls the tree
stump7"
Bow bright you be, Eb, to find that outI"
answered Steve, mockingly.
but where's the nest, Stever asked Eben,
looking puzzled
Steve turned his head, and a look Of con-
sternation came over his heavy face as he
saw that Gabriel Dallas was listening 81
must be goin' home" he said, abruptly. II
amt got no more time to fool round here"
and he started up the road.
Gabriel joined him. For time they walked
on in silence, Steve seeming constrained and
uneasy. Finally Gabriel spoke.
''Steve," he said, what did you mean by
what you said to Eb-about Miss FernaldF
"Oh, don't know; just some of me an
Eds foolin', guess" answered Steve evasive-
ly, looking askance at the set face that belied
the quiet words
"Look here, Steve" and Gabriel faced
round on his companion. 81 know you meant
something. Now, what was itF'
Steve gave an awkward laugh. II don't
see what business It's of yours, anyway,
Gabe," he said. II amt answerable to you,
Is'pose, for"-
Gabriel laid his hand on the others arm
and his face looked strained and eager "Will
you tell me, on your sacred word, that it
isn't any business of minc!n no said
Steve shufiled and coughed; finally he
broke down altogether. 'Gabe," he STAN
mered, II can't tell ye that. Don't ask
me no more. Well, then" as Gabriel's grasp
still frightened on his arm, "if you will have
it, don't blame me-"
He then described a scene between Under
witnessed in the woods the evening before
Underhill's departure from Stonybank. He
said that the artist had held Lefty in his arms
and given her repeated kisses, which she had
returned There had been illusions to former
evenings, when she had been with him under
cover of going to meet her husband, and not
until an incautious movement of Steve's
startled them did they separate, Underhil
going back to the corner and Lefty hurrying
home.
Gabriel did not say word during this
story, only his clinched hand shook Steve's
arm whenever the latter made a pause. At
the close he said hoarsely: IF you have lied
to mel7- For moment Steve saw his
face Hvid in the sunset glow, and then he was
gone down the wood road.
He went striding along his homeward way
with devil tearing his heart, that old stub
born devil of jealousy, which, once entered in,
took utter possession. When he entered the
door Lefty sprang up, but stopped at sight of
his changed face
"Why, Gabriel" she faltered, ais anything
the matter' Are you"--
He cut her short, Selling her hands and
dragging her to the window, where the light
fell full on her face. Then, without any
preface:
Did you meet Larry Underhill in the
woods last Friday afternoonF" he said.
Lefty blushed crimson.
Yes" she began pleadingly, "but"-
And did he kiss youF' interrupted Gabriel
between his set teeth.
"Oh! Gabriel, let me tell you howl
Eyes or no; did he kiss you" repeated Ga
triel, with fierce eyes searching her face.
There was long, sickening pause, then Lefty
faltered again:
YES, butt
He let 90 her hands SO suddenly that she
fell back against the wall He had walked
away to the other window, where he stood
with averted face. There was another 81
lence, then Lefty said with trembling eager
ness: Gabriel, dear, let me tell you how it
all was-may ~
There was no answer. She crept up behind
him and laid her hand on his arm. He flung
it off. Don't touch me!' he said in a voice
she would not have known for his
"Oh! Gabriel, darling, only hear mel" and
again she caught at his sleeve. He turned
round then
Hear me-" he said. Il don't want any
explanations, don't want you to touch me,
Olly " ~ away NuClO hC'Sl oIlSAAl SCO Jul
face again-wat minute" as Lefty tried to
speak; Il don't want to hurt you, but if you
don't 90 in five minutes swear l will shoot
myself where l stand"
He took revolver and placed it with his
watch on the table beside him Then he
turned his back to his wife again and waited.
The minutes licked on monotonously. Lefty
sat in stunned silence until she saw him make
a movement, then she sprang forward and
threw herself upon him 'Gabrielr' she cried
in a voice of agony, "oh, for the sake of our
love-