San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-11-24

a sigh that was almost groan.
What is it, then3 Has any misfortune
befallen youg'
"Yes, a misfortune indeed: or at least il
seems to be now. Doubtless it is all for
the best"
what are you talking about? Why
don't you tell me what is troubling your"
81 came for that purpose. that might
tell you. After this evening we must not
meet again"
'Not-meet-again5 Nellie Sharpe re-
peated the words slowly, as if she could
not grasp their full meaning. The color
surged to her cheeks and then receded,
leaving her very pale.
What do you mean, Walter? What has
happened? You cannot be in earnest.n
Walter rather incoherently recounted
what Judge Sharpe had told him of the
case of Lewis VS.. Lewis, and the comments
he had made on that case.-
"And is that allf'' asked Nellie, when
he had finished. She smiled little as she
asked the question, and a, close observer
would have noticed that a sigh of relief
passed her lips.
"Allt Is it not too much? Knowing
that your father holds this view can I do
otherwise than give you up9'
81 thought you had more pluck" said
the young girl, with just a suggestion of
scorn in her voice.
1T Is not matter of courage, but of
conscience, of honor. Can 60 to the man
who gives me such advice as I have re-
ceived, who tells me never to marry a wom-
an who is beyond my station financially,
and ask him to give me his daughter, who
is dearer to him. than all elses | am poor;
have none but the most probematical
prospects; while you-well, I need not say
more; you can readily see my position"
But can't see it in the light in which
You place it, thought you had sufficient
faith in me not to believe that would do
as that dreadful woman did of whom my
father told you. Your prospects are GER
tainly better than you represent them.
Furthermore, my father would yield to
my wishes"
81 do not lack faith in you; heaven
knows how strong that faith is; it is be-
cause would feel that had acted treach-
erously toward one who has been my best
friend if held You to your-your promise
that | have decided to do that which will
take all happiness out of my life"
Probably it never occurred to you that
the happiness of any one else might suffer;
it seems that ! am not considered at all
"You will soon forget; you will be hap
pier than could ever make you"
"Oh! certainly; we women forget so cas-
lily; it is only the men that remember;
only the hearts of men that are broken.
However, since you wish it so, 1t is not for
me to object"
at is not what wish; it is what must
do"
"But suppose | should refuse to accept
your decision: suppose should assert my
rights? Suppose should insist at least on
your trying for term of years to bring
your financial condition up to what you
consider the proper Standard"
"It would be wrong to keep you bound
by promise to one who would have to
struggle perhaps for years, and might fail
at last"
81 see it is vain to reason with one who
is unreasonable: it shall be as you wish"
Just then Judge Sharpe entered the
room, and the painful meeting was abrupt
ly ended.
A few months later Judge Shapes
clerk came into Walter Lossing's Office
one day and told him that the Judge
wanted to see him.
1t seemed to Walter that the judge
looked unusually stern when he responded
to the latter's summons few minutes
later. "Come in here, / want to talk to
YOU" said the judge as he motioned to
Walter to follow him into his private Of
flee.
''Sit down. will come to the point at
once. am instructed by client of mine
to bring suit against you. We have the
clearest kind of a case, and should certain
ly win in the courts; but we desire TO give
you an opportunity to compromise the
matter. You may wish to escape the no
toriety."
"A suit? Why, who could want to sue
me? owe nothing; there is no cause, no
ground: you must be joking"
Never was more serious. There is a
cause, and a good one, as you will learn
presently. My clients case is fawless;
she"-
She All! see. Some Matchmaking
scheme: some Advent
There, there, don't get excited; it is
nothing of the kind. The plaintiff in this
case is eminently respectable, as you your
self will admit"
"Who is she? What is the cause of ac-
ton? Why don't you tell me at once in
stead of beating about the bushY
1.-THE cause of action is breach of prom
ise," said the old judge impressively.
Breach of PROMISE! Why, l never'---
Perhaps you can guess the plaintiffs
name now" suggested the judge
You see" continued he, as Walter still
sat like one stricken dumb, "the young
lady thinks that you have been influenced
by something that was said to you in a
general way by one who intended TO make
no specific application of his remarks; that