San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-10-14

he believes to be best for the other, with
out fear or favor. What Imean to say
is that there must be no bargaining, no
sort of tacit understanding, such as you
vote for me and I'll vote for you Other
wise we shall quite defeat our own OBJ
ject. wouldn't insult you by speaking
in this way if could feel that was ad-
dressing men in their sober senses, but as
no less than three out of the four of us
have avowed their intention of commit
ting matrimony don't consider myself
bound to apologize"
Lord Guise's three hearers looked both
surprised and shamefaced. They had not
exactly anticipated this announcement,
but two of them had certainly contem-
plated securing a majority by the under
hand means suggested.
Their president, after surveying them
for a moment with serene benevolence,
resumed:
II now beg to move that Mr.. Schneider
be heard first. Those who are in favor
of the motion will kindly hold up their
hands"
Three hands, including Mr.. Schneiders,
were at once raised, and that gentleman
was accordingly invited to state his case.
This he did in terms to which no excep-
ton could be taken. He was not, he
said, going to dispute the truth of the
axiom which might be regarded as the
foundation of their society, namely, that
a man in love is thereby incapacitated
from Judging whether the object of his
affection is suitable wife for him.
That might or might not be so, and he
neither admitted nor denied that he was
in love with the lady whom he desired
to marry. He ventured, however, not
withstanding what had fallen from Lord
Guise, to submit that he was in full
possession of his senses, and further,
that the match which he had in contem-
plation could not be objected to by any
fair minded man.
at is, if | may put things little
coarsely, fair bargain. l have good
deal of money! won't claim any other
advantage for myself-and Lady Belvoir
has her title, as well as a social standing
which,
Lady Belvoir!' interrupted Moreton
Indignantly. II never heard such cheek
Il mean l never heard of anything 80
preposterous-in my life! You needn't
trouble yourself to say any more, my
good fellow; shall certainly vote against
you. Why, you don't suppose that your
beastly money would be any temptation
to her, do you? Hang it all! she might
marry any man in England if she liked"
Lord Guise had to remind the speaker
that his remarks were both Incorporate
and irrelevant.
II don't care what they are" returned
Moreton. II shall vote against him."
"And you, Thorold?" inquired Lord
Guise blandly.
Mr.. Thorold confessed that he had not
been prepared to hear of such project
as that which had just been made known
to them. If he was to give his candid
opinion, and to dismiss all other consid
erations than that of Mr.. Schneider's
probable welfare from his mind, he was
afraid he must say that it did not sound
to him promising one. At the same
time, since there seemed to be tolera-
bly, strong chance of Lady Belvoirs de-
clining the offer made to her
Excuse me-" interrupted Lord Guise,
but that has nothing to do with your
vote"
"Thorold," said Moreton gravely, 'it
strikes me that you are hedging. You
aren't allowed to hedge; it's against the
rules. If you don't think the match de-
sirable you must express your convic-
lions by your vote"
Pressed in this way Percy was reluct-
antly compelled to declare himself OPP
posed to the scheme for which the sane
ton of the meeting was asked.
That" observed Lord Guise, "consti-
tutes a majority, and | need not say
whether approve or disapprove. 1t fol
lows, in virtue of our agreement, that
Schneider is debarred from holding verbal
or written communication with Lady
Belvoir for a period of six months from
the present date. Sorry for your disap-
pointment, Schneider; but there are
many disappointments which prove to be
blessings in disguise Now, Moreton and
Thorold, we are ready to hear you.
Don't both speak at once"
The gentlemen named showed no dis
position toward display of unseemly
haste. Each glanced interrogatively at
the other, while the agonized protests
of Schneider died away unheeded; each
looked thoroughly uncomfortable, and
neither of them opened his lips.
At length Moreton said: 'Well, I'm
sure l don't care who speaks first It's
confoundedly unpleasant having to lay