San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-12-03

EacPherson nad appeared IN person on bne
scene; that she was following Horace up.
II suppose she feels that the boy has
been slipping from her-odious persona
exclaimed Mrs. Lakely, waxing bitter in
her righteous indignation. at is too
shocking, the vulgar forwardness of such
people. | do not fancy that she really
cares for Horace, you know. 1t is his
money-that is what she wants TO secure.
She knows the boy has just come into his
grandfather's property. And she is poor;
they say, though she lives with an appear
ance of luxury, that she is absolutely i'm
pecunious. Her husband, it would seem,
left her nothing whatever"
81 imagine there is no doubt about that"
said Bristed
And then Mrs. Lakely came to her point.
Would Mr.. Bristed go to this person"
and try to convince her that the family
strenuously objected to the proposed mar
rage, and that everything would be done
to bring it to naught? Would he try to
persuade Der to give Horace up, TO relin-
Quish her hold of young fellow-a mere
boy-much her junior, who ought not to be
thinking as yet of matrimony under any
circumstances? Would he appeal to her
good feelings if she had any? Would
he"-
"My dear Mrs. Lakely, anything to
oblige YOU but don't know
Ion, don't say So" interrupted the poor
lady II have such confidence in your
ability TO straighten matters out for us"
A day or two later this conversation re-
suited in visit from Bristed to the hotel
where Mrs. Mcpherson was temporarily
registered.
1t was not in this young mans nature to
look forward with much relish to the in
terview. He felt that he had before him
something extremely distasteful 1t is
even possible that he was inclined to take
some credit to himself when he reflected
upon the trouble he was at to oblige his
friends family and to keep the boy him
self from piece of folly he should spend
the rest of his life in regretting But in
another way he accounted himself repaid
for anything he might do, even before it
was done. For nothing could be sweeter
or fairer or more charming than Cecilia
Lakely, Horace's young sister
She was mere school girl, to be sure
but Hurlburt Bristed admired the type
An ingenious young girl was to him the
most delightful thing in nature. And he
smiled often, as he took himself to Mrs
McPherson's hotel, in remembrance of Ger
tain warm, shy Chances which had fallen
from those dovelike eyes these latter times
since he had been exerting himself so much
in her brothers behalf. In helping Horace
he was really wooing in the surest way, if
indirectly, the elusive flower of this young
creatures love.
He was still thinking of Cecilia as he sat
waiting for Mrs. Mcpherson to appear.
He was, indeed, so much engrossed in his
reveries that he looked up only when the
lady he had come to see stood close in
front Of him. She had entered softly by a
door ut Che side of him. As he rose little
confusedly she covered him suddenly with
a wonderful smile.
The young widow-it was impossible not
to think of her rs younger than she was
stood there an instant and then sank into
her chair opposite her visitor. She begged
him TO resume his seat. She seemed to
wait, still with that unusual, that almost
harmonious smile, for him to begin. From
her presence, at once assured and unob
trusive, animated and reposeful, from her
delicate toilet, there emanated an aroma,
as it were, which flattered all the Senses
81 believe you are Horace Lakely's great
friend" said this gracious creature in
well modulated voice. If the modulations
were somewhat artificial, if it were posi-
BILE TO surmise that the natural tone of
voice did not always betray the same re
finement of culture, it so happened that
HurlbuTt Bristed (albeit he had the reputa-
ton of noticing everything did not OBJ
serve the fact.
,
The next day Mrs. Lakely awaited Bris
ted's promised visit with eager impatience
Cecilia, looking very lovely in a white
dress (Bristed had once remarked that she
should always wear white-it was beeom-
ing to her), was sitting with her mother,
and shot an expressive glance at the door
when it opened.
- "Well, Mr.. Bristed, WE'LL" demanded
Mrs. Lakely, ''have you good news for mel
Will she go away and leave my boy in
peace?"
Cecilia, who had risen and remained
standing, in a certain hesitancy. left the
room.
81 don't know that can tell you any
thing very definite, my dear madam" OBJ
served Bristed, somewhat slowly.
"Oh, what do you mean? i hope the
wretched person does not refuse TO loosen
her hold of Horace?" cried Mrs. Lakely.
mo, no. II is not that-not at all. Re
assure yourself. Only Bristed inter.
rupted himself. He began again: 81 i'm.
agine she will, as you express it, loosen her
hold of Horace. Yes-but-I wished to ask
you-ahemP'
If it had been possible TO fancy such a