San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-10-17

If Mrs. Leslie did not quit her north
ern home for SUMMER chimes that win
ter it was not because the will was lack
ing on her part She did not like frost
and snow: she did not much like Lady
Belvoir as near neighbor, and she did
not at all like the prospect of renewing
acquaintance with certain unsatisfac-
tory cousin of Lady Belvoir's on his re-
turn from foreign parts 1t was true
that no great harm had apparently been
done, that Dorothy's spirits and health
remained excellent and that Mr.. Thor
old might quite possibly have aban-
doned his expressed intention of visit
ing Westmoreland: still one would fain
avoid all avoidable risks.
But Mrs. Leslie's means were limited,
and season in London costs money,
and it is no easy matter to find winter
tenant for a country house in Westmore-
land In Westmoreland. therefore, this
anxious mother continued to reside; nor
was her anxiety, which many trifles had
contributed to keep alive, at all dimin-
ished when, in the beginning of the new
year. Lady Belvoir returned home.
Lady Belvoir had been away, paying
visit after visit. for long time past: but
now-so Mrs Leslie learnt from Dorothy
she meant to give herself few weeks
of rest and quiet before proceeding to
London
81 suppose that means that she is
going to fill her house with people. was
Mrs. Leslie's comment.
But Dorothy said: "Oh, no: | don't
think SO. She told me that she was
only expecting one or two of her rela-
tons"
And Mrs Leslie felt a delicacy about
inquiring whether any one of the name
of Thorold was included among these.
The fact is that no mention had been
made of the absent politician between
the mother and daughter since the day
when he had taken leave of them.
Now it came to pass on bitter JAN
uary afternoon, when the ground was
covered with freshly fallen snow and the
sky was of dull slate color, and ragged,
dirty looking clouds were drifting along
the slopes of the hills, that Miss Leslie,
trudging briskly homeward from the
vicarage, was overtaken by a pedestrian
who must have deserted her from afar
and caught her up with difficulty, for
be was so short of breath that he could
do no more than gasp out, How do you
do, Miss Leslie?" as he removed his hat.
Close inspection might have revealed
the fact that, in addition to his physical
exertions, he was affected by mental
agitation, which is always bad thing
for the respiratory organs; but Dorothy
did not inspect him very closely. She
only turned her head for a moment and
said, without any appearance of sur
prise:
"Oh, how do you do, Mr.. Thorold?
You are staying with Lady Belvoir,
SUPPOSE"
1t is most disconcertirg to be received
in that matter of fact way by person
for whose sake you have just arrived at
express speed from the other side of the
world. and Percy was proportionately
disconnected. He could not help saying
in slightly injured voice:
81 was in California only three weeks
ago. But perhaps" he added, somewhat
more cheerfully, ''Sybil told you that !
was coming here"
Il believe she did, answered Dorothy
composedly. Besides, when we last
saw you you yourself said that you
might perhaps be in our parts in the
course of the winter" And then, as a
pause ensued which he seemed to find
some difficulty in breaking. she re-
sumed: lit isn't very good time of the
year to see Westmoreland: | should
think that in weather like this you must
wish yourself back in California
81 have only one wish as regards Cali
fornia," he answered with needless en-
phasis, land that is most devout one
that may never see it again. Or Japan
either, or India, or the Sandwich Islands,
or any other of the abominable wilder
nesses through which have been wan
dering for six weary months.
Dorothy raised her eyebrows in sur
prise.
a never heard those countries de-
scribed as Wilderness BEFORE" she re-
marked. What pity that you should
have travelled such hong way and not
,yor, r-.alfff'