San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-10-23
CHAPTER n.

It was barely eleven O'clock when Ro-
land Sabine went to the Grange, only to
learn that Miss lima was out and had left
no message. No message. Had she for
gotten her promise to him? Roland ground
his teeth; but, hiding his wrath from the
servant, he said he would wait till Miss
Ournford returned.
The old lady came back before one. She
knew nothing of lima; doubtless she
would be in during the afternoon. Roland
departed, and at three called again. lima
had not yet returned Miss Durnford had
battered herself that the girl was at the
Larches; But the young Squire's, appear
ance made her anxious. What could have
become of the child? She could never
have staid away so long on purpose.
Roland shared her anxiety, and went
at once to make inquiries about lima.
He turned his steps first towards the
river, and was just approaching the lock
bridge, when he saw Zeph coming down
the slope. She stopped the moment she
saw Roland; and, as he came towards her,
she looked into his face with a wicked
flash in her eyes and laughed.
"You can keep off," she said shortly;
"and you needn't try to hide what you're
were going to ask about, | know"
"Dear Zeph," began Roland, sit you
have seen-"
"Don't 'dear Zeph' me- interrupted
the girl fiercely, stamping her foot.
"lOu'd drown me rs soon as look at me il
you dared, or see me drown, which is the
next thing to it. It's that golden haired
foreign cousin of yours you are in love
with; and all the pretty things you have
said to me count for nothing now. But
you won't get her. Didn't | know Sir
Philip would have her when l saw her
riding the Arab?'
''Zeph, are you mad cried Roland
hoarsely. "What do you mean?"
''Oh, l may suffer-" retortcd the I'M
daunted girl; "but you must not wait an
instant to know what the girl you love is
about! You may talk to me, and tell me
you love me, and give me things, and
there is no harm done; as if had no heart,
and need not mind seeing you throw me
over directly a beauty from foreign parts
comes your way! lis no use to fume,
Mr.. Sabine; you have treated me as Sir.
Philip would not have done, whatever his
ancestor did. He's a noble gentleman
anyhow, and he'd never fool with an honest
girl he couldn't marry, as you have done.
You needn't worry after Miss lima;
she's chosen handsomer lover than YOU
ha, ha! She's been dreeing her weird
while you've been hunting the woods for
her. She's not afraid Of sir Philips kiss
es, Pll warrant; she'd rather die with
him than live with you
"Zeph," said Roland, grasping the girps
wrist, "tell me what you know. Are you
talking like this to torture me, or do you
mean that lima Costello has fled with
Darrell?"
"Oh, no" replied Zeph quietly. wMaybe
she's home now; but l saw them OH the
road together twenty minutes ago; he
was leading his horse and she was by his
side. Drop your hand, Mr.. Sabine; YOU
hurt me. Just bit above the village they
stopped and said goodbye. lie didn't
kiss her then, though there was nobody
by that they could see; but he stood still
where she'd left him and watched her.
When she'd gone bit, she looked back.
and he kissed ms hand to her. You don't
like it, cl for Roland stamped his foot,
and, with Il terrible imprecltiOu, ground
it ON the path. "We,I, 20 and tell him
50; but you can't have uer if she loves
him: voE anow that"