San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-07-17
ELSA
Written by Edith Aiken for the Light.

FIRST CHAPTER BEGAN IN no. 133. JUNE 29l
There was no reply, even the long
black lashes lay unmoved on the
death-like cheeks, but he felt a slight
pressure from the hand he held, and
with this he must fain be content.
1t would be difficult to analyZe the
thoughts of each in the long silence
that followed. His were never purer
since his babyhood, and she had so
hopelessly and entirely accepted the
one alternative from that which he
offered, that her thoughts were not
of herself at all, but went wondering
away to her young girlhood and to
the friends of those years, of whom
SIC had not heard for so long. She
wondered if Arthur her boy-triend-
whose teacher she was for a year, and
whose mother she had loved and
tended as she might have done her
own, would help her now if he knew
her extremity. or if sunny eyed little
Nellie or kind Aunt Susan would
believe in her, and stand her friend
in spite of the terrible SANDER that
had been cast upon her. She could
deny it now; and prove her denial,
she had never known until this night
what was the foul thing of which she
had been accused.
Then she thought of her early
marriage, her young, brilliant, but
weak husband, the few bright years,
and then the troubled anxious ones
that came after. Her struggle to
live for boys sake, and now the end
of it all. She started as her mind
came back to her present condition.
Once again she looked at Hedge d.
rectly. Was there no relenting, no
moving him from his determined
course? No pity? Alas no! There
was no trace of the master now in
his gentle, deferential, demeanor, and
his beautiful eyes were blue and
tender as babyhood, but under all
this she knew was the love of the
tiger for its prey! No she would not
rouse him again by useless appeal.
Her sleep had refreshed her, she
was rested, and she must bring this
interview to a close or betray herself,
the strain was 80 great. But how to
do it? Perhaps Hedge did not mean
to leave her again this night, perhaps
he would insist on immediate mar
riage, the thought gave her sudden
terror. How could she end it all
without. a word to her beloved son.
How pass on and not leave him any
explanation of the terrible eXigency
that forced her to the fearful step.
Well she must plead for an hour
alone, and then the bridegroom might
come and take her, and warm loving
bride he would find waiting him.
Her fear proved well founded.
When at last she set up, and begged
him to leave her alone that she might
retire: the old evil hooking CLEAN
showed itself in his eyes.
"My darling 1 cannot consent to
leave you alone. You are not in a
fit condition, you might fall i'll again,
then what would you do? Ifyou had
a servant it would be different" but
to be left alone here, no, no!
"Why what do you expect? What
would you have me do?" she looked at
him so calmly, and asked the question
so naturally, that his momentary
suspicion was quieted, as at the same
time he remembered he had not eX-
pressed any wish in regard to her
going with him at once.
There is a carrirge waiting my order,
and l would have you go with me to
a minister's, and give me the right TO