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

and mother, she arguea-sne naa never
known her own-was something that the
kindest of aunts could not be. Her lover
seemed all-sufficient-
Father to me thou art. ami mother dear,
And brother too, kind husband of my heart,
So speaks AndrOmache."
And so spoke lima. Even with regard
to Roland Sabine she felt stronger-she
still dreaded him, but not so much. She
might have spoken to her aunt, and so avoid
ed an interview with him; but this idea did
not occur to her. She, could, in her fear,
run away from him altogether; but to ask
any one to interpOse on her behalf was
contrary to her nature; and, after all,
she thought, Roland had right to see
her. Certainly she would not seek an
interview, but she would no lOngeravOidit.
At the turn Of night the rain came. 1t
fell suddenly, like a vast sheet of water
from the heavens, with the roar and hiss
of a cataract. 1t beat down the flowers in
the gardens; it laid fiat the corn in the
fields; it converted many dry mountain
watercourse into a brawling stream. Viii
layers, started out of their sleep by the
pouring of the torrent, drew back their
curtains and gazed forth in terror; and the
thoughts of all turned to the grand old
castellated mansion of the barrels and
its doomed lord.
Job Heston arose and went to his daugh-
ter's chamber and knocked at the door.
Glass, lass, get up and look at the rain !!
1t has not fallen like this for more than
twenty years"
The girl was at the door in an instant,
with a white scared face.
"Father, is the Mill safe!"
"Aye, for tonight, yes; but, Zeph, if it
rains like this for two nights more, the
river will be over its banks, and this time
the Mill will CO."
"And Dark Darrell?" said Zeph in a
low tone, after pause, filled by the rush
of the rain, mingling with and almost
drowning the roar of the weir.
"Why," replied Heston steadily, "he'll
die, and the foreign missy too. You saw
her with him to-day, Zeph. l knew how
it would be; hers is the life for which
he'll lose his. It'll come about somehow.
They'll toll the great bell in the chapel
for the last of the barrels before Sunday
comes around again."
The storm began to lessen at three
| o'clock, but the rain still fell in torrents
till nearly midday; and at that time the
Coalmere was rushing rapidly between its
green banks, q swollen and angry tide.
"The waters risen more'n two feet
since six O'Clock this morning." said the
old lock-man to Zeph. 'If | was your
father, I'd clear out Of the Mill for there's
no saying what may happen if the rain
comes again tonight as it did last night"
"We'll have to go to uncle's yonder,"
returned Zeph gloomily, pointing across
the bridge.
"And I'd see to it before nightfa!l if
was yOu," said the lock-man. cid war;
rant the Lords life as soon as I'd warrant
| the Mill Tonight if the rain comes on
| heavy; amt, once the floods are out, how'll
| you get away, even if the Mill don't 60
| and it's bound to-"
Early in the afternoon it became known
| that Job HestOn and his daughter were
transferring all mOvables from the Mill to
places Of safety on the Scarth Abbott side
of the river, household goods being de-
posted with relative of jobs late wife,
who was only cousin, though Zeph
| called him ''unc!e."
No one liked the HestOns; so, even in
his present extremity, Job could obtain
little help but what he paid for. He
knew that if lie had sent up to the Court
Sir Philip would have despatched gang
Of laborers to aid him; but Job would
not be "beholden" to Sir Philip for any,
thing.
The miller expressed no regret for the
impending destruction of his property.
He had amassed good sum of money, and
could easily reinstate himself elsewhere !;
and other feelings which might have chung
round the Inheritance of his fathers seemed
to be all but obliterated by the grim salts
faction with witch he contemplated a ruin
that would include, as he believed, that
of the last representative of false Sir In
gelhart, and which would fulfill the curse.
He said little indeed, but glanced anxious
ly at river and sky, and once remarked
"Maybe this'lI be Dark Darrel's last
night on earth; the Mill won't be there
ut sunrise tomorrow"