San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-06-15
TWENTY YEARS AFTER.
Early Life in Texas.
BY EDITH AIKEN.

from the north steamed i'm to the
station of a scarcely awakend city
resting on the hos ON of, plain-a
plain sweeping away towards every
point of the compass in vast undula-
ting acres thickly grown with mes
quite-bush. There is something Won
derfully graceful and fairy-like in
the delicate pale green tracery of this
shrub in spring time, and now in the
level shafts of early sunlight, each
spray and leaf appeared heavy with
jewels of every hue. The sky to the
south and east was momently gather
ing tint of rose, but to the north
and west the far hills were outlined
against the pearly sky where the
stars still were showing family.
1t is doubtful if many of the sleepy
passengers of that long train observed
the beauty of the awakening day,
for most of them were bound to
point far to the southwest, and the
halt scarcely reused them, but of
those who alighted, one at least stood
still after she stepped npOn the open
platform of the station and looked
with surprise and delight across the
great ocean of dewy green, and then
drew a long sigh of pleasure as the
cool sweet air touched her cheek and
lifted the fair tumbled hair from her
face.
ut is so restful after the close cars,n
She said, half in apology for her
momentary halt, to the man who
waited beside her, and who seemed
to be her companion for he carried
her ,treveling-bag and wraps. He
smiled down at her for reply, but
when he had led her to the Ladies
waiting room" he said:
at will be fully half an hour before
the stage in which you go on, will
start. 1t will be long, tedions, and
part of the way uphill ride before
you reach a place where you can
dine, and longer ride down hill in
the hot afternoon sun before you
reach Las Casas. So L will see what
/ can find for breakfast while you rest
here.n
While speaking, he had deposited
her belongings on a seat, and having
brought forward low rocker, went
quickly out without waiting for the
half-uttered thanks of the lady, who
looked after him with curious
changing expression Oh her sweet
face.
II do not understand it," so her
thoughts ran, an entire stranger yet
so tenderly considerate for my COM
fort-any one might be considerable
courteous-but he is more than that
and yet-he is cool, distant-though
perfectly respectful. He is-what is
it-certainly not words" The rosetint
deepened on her cheeks as she recalled
the last two days. There is some
thing in his brown eyes, something
strangely familiar"-she sighed again,
her own eyes studying the floor, her
whole face grown suddenly saba
look of tenderness that startles me
and makes my heart-beat-a look
that bellies his cool measured words.
Were Iyoung it might be accounted
she sighed again impatiently and
raised her eyes. The object of her
thoughts stood in the door intently
regarding her. He came forward
instantly followed by a colored man
bearing tray on which was cup
of fragrant coffee, wafffes, scrambled
eggs, and the veritable bacon and
fried yams. The odor was delicious
to the hungry traveller, and when
left alone she did ample justice to the
abundant-and for TeXas-welf cooked
breakfast.
When she had finished very sat-
isfactory meal she went to the open
door and inhaled the refreshing air
that seemed to have come long way
from the seward, and gathered the
sweetness of Spring on its way. AT
the far end of the platform her fellow
traveller stood talking with man on
horseback who held another horse by
the bride. She noticed as the men
talked, the one she knew as Mr.. Maui
rice patted and strOked the glossy black
sides Of the led horse, and now and
again laid his face against her head
which the creature thrust against his
breastas though inviting caresses. 1t
was but a few moments conference, or J
rather it seemed that the man stand
ing was giving directions, to which
the other listened attentively, then
he turned his horse but the elegant
creature he led appeared reluctant to
go.
"Go onBeauty I'll soon be with you"
said Maurice, gently slapping her,
and with a low cry that sounded al
most human she gallopped away be-
side the other.
Mrs. Gilbraith noticed each little
detail of this interview, never dream
ing how much she had to do with the
evidently changed plans of Maurice.
She watched him as he came towards
her, his firm even step, his upright
figure and commanding height and
air-and again memory went back
ward across the years and returned
with a sigh failing to find the clew
che COuphE