San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-06-20
TWENTY YEARS AFTER.
Early Life in Texas.
BY EDITH AIKEN.


the earth and prosper"
lyon may we'll wonder, but his
punishment is surely comingw
The speaker started up. See Eli
nor! we are nearly at the Summit
House. Was there ever scene more
fair.n
The horses had come to a halt after
the last upspirt, and now stood pant
ing while the travellers gazed around
the vast level plateau on which they
stood. Half a mile to the right to-
wards the north gradual rise began
again, and a.succession of hills broken
and irregular in form rose in green
and golden pillows that met the
clouds, and were lost in their white
fieeee;while. to the south the plain
held its own for perhaps ten miles
then stopped away to the lovely val
lev where the old Spanish city Of
Las Casas stretched it's garden like
streets on either side of the slow
moving river that flowed in curves
zigzags from one end of the cup-like
valley to the other. There were only
few large trees to be seen on the
wide plateau, but where the hills be-
gan to rise there commenced also
dense growth of live oak that stood
green and inviting from the boiling
sun. Near the hills about half way
across the plain group of low build
ings spread out over anacre Of ground,
giving promise of ample accommodation
for man and beast. This was the
Summit House and towards the road
curved, and before the steps of its
long wide veranda the coach soon
halted. With proud tenderness Gill
bTaith helped the lovely lady to
allght nor tried to hide the proud
loYelight that warmed and frightened
his face, while the sad faced woman,
who at sunrise alighted from the
train, had grown radiant.
He led her in to the wide hall that
extended quite through the house,
half a dozen rooms opening on either
side. To the right was the Office and
general lounging room for men, but
to a door opposite this he led his
wife, and taking key from his pocket
opened it, and let her pass in.
This is my private room, and now
it is yours until we find BETTER
Throwing aside the wraps he took
her in his arms. My love! my love!
all mine once more, and have you
always loved me!
always loved you! every hour!
and your" mo woman's lips have
touched mine, since they pressed
yours twenty years ago. Now take
off your bonnet dear, and let me re-
move little of the dust have gath
cred. See here is water and towels,
and here on the dressing case brushes
and combs" and while his wife busted
herself with her toilet he stepped
to the wardrobe apparently to hang
up his long overcoat with it's triple
capes in which he certainly looked
to be man above the ordinary size,
yet when he again approached her
he seemed rather slenderly built for
his height. His military bootswere dis
carded, close fitting suit of blue
showed every curve of his fine form,
while the closely cut curls of uburn
hair, and smoothly shaven face re-
moved ten or fifteen years from his
age.
10! o! now you are my Richardn
cried the lady springing in to his ex-
tended arms, then placing her hand
against his breast and pushing him
back she regarded him critically.
"You have not changed as much as
/ dear" she sighed-cuddling again
in the enclosing arms. 80 Richard
can it be? are you sure you are not
dream image that will melt when l
awake as you have done SO many
many timesr
"Real flesh and blood this time
sweet wife, and now if you are re-
freshed we will go in to dinner. But
first"-and he took up the wonder
fully fitting wig and beard.
80 DON'T"
/ must dear on account of our fellow
traveller. You forget what he means
to u.s."
In another moment he stood the
tall swarthy plain man, and with his
wifes hand on his arm led the way
through the hall to another veranda,
and turning to the right entered the
dining room. To the further end of
this again was the cook room or rather
the small unfinished cubby hole with
its outside chimney which in this
land answered for kitchen.
Two plates at the head of the table
seemed to be reserved for them, in
deed it seemed to the happy woman
that every one showed a Difference
to him, an unspoken respect spirit
Difference as it were. They addressed
him as Col. without adding a name,
and listened respectfully when he
spoke. At his left hand sat the man
she saw in the morning on horseback,
and with him Gilbraith seemed to
confer earnestly in low tones and once
she heard her boys name, and knew
something was being set on foot for
his benefit.