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


Hnses are not our sort" she continued
with manifest pr idc. Joseph Mullins
is the village cobbler, but he is none too
steady, aud father aud Molly can't abide
iim."
As soon as the children had finished
their tea, l took them to the window,
where they found plenty to amuse them.
The white pony was still cropping the
grass; here and there was a nibbling
sheep: the rocks were cawing about their
nests in the entrees; the peacock was
strutting along the terrace, accompanied
by his mate; pair of golden-crested
pheasants followed them.
Presently the bay mare was brought
round by groom, and then Mr. Hawtry
came out on the terrace, and stood talking
to Mr.. Cherton before he mounted.
"Why did you call him Squire Hawtry,
Hannah?' observed, CuriOusly, as he
rode away down the avenue.
ale is mostly called by that name" re
turned Hannah. "He is a gentleman
farmer, and lives at the Red Farm, down
Dorlcote way. His mother and sister
used to live with him, but his mother
died two years ago. and Miss Agnes did
not long survive her. She was Il sweet
creature, and very handsome, but she had
been a sad invalid the last few years of
her life"
"PoOr Mr.. IIawtry. and he is all alOne?'
"Quite alone. except for his good old
houSekecper, Mrs. Cornish; she takes good
care Of Mr.. Roger, as she calls him.. Folks
say continued Hannah, somewhat hes
itating, esquire IIawtry has had enough
of loneliness and nursing Miss Agnes, and
that he is looking out for wife; he and
Miss Gay are firm friends, and"
Il think Reggie is getting sleepy" OBJ
served, hastily, for Joyce was listening
with all her might, and the old proverb is
true In saying little pitchers have long
ears" besides which, this was gOssiping
about other peoples affairs, and Hannah
knew | never Countenanced gossip; it al
ways seemed to me such a mean and I'M
dignfied thing to chatter about those who
were inmates of the house that sheltered
us. We hal partaken of their bread and
salt, and so they ought to have been sacred
to us. How little oftentimes the world re-
CARDS the word "hOnorn' but NOblCSSC
Obligc is safs motto.
Hannah took the hint with her usual
gOOd-nature, and went off for the bath
water. The next moment there was a
slight peremptOry tap at the nursery door,
and before could answer a tall, elegant
looking woman, dressed in black, en-
tered the room. rose at once in some
little trepidatiOn; of course it was Mrs.
Markham.
"GOOd-evening, nurse" she said, in
rather thin, highly pitched voice II
hope you find yourself comfortable, and
that the children are not tired with the
journey" Then, without waiting for an
answer, she seated herself languidly. and
called to Joyce, Come to me, NV dear;
am your aunt Adelaide; good children al
ways come when they are called
gave .IO' &C a slight push, for she was
hanging back in a most unaCCOuntable
way, and yer she was by no means a shy
child, and would be friendly even with
strangers, if she liked their appearance.
thought Mrs. Markham looked little an.
moved at her hesitation, but she controlled
herself and tried coaxing.
What would your mamma say, if you
refused to kiss poor Aunt Adelaide?
Come that is better" as Joyce advanced
tmidly. "Why, what thin, sickly look
ing child it isu regarding the sweet little
face before her rather critically; II should
hardly have thought" speaking half to
herself, that Violet would have had such
plain child"
was indignant at this; for every one
thought Joyce had a lovely little face,
though it was rather too thin and grave.
Excuse me, Mrs. Markham observed
hastily, but Joyce is a very forward
child, and understands all that is said be-
fore her. for it was hard that our pet
should meet with such Il cold reception.
Mrs. Markham regarded me with a
,superCiliOuS stare: she evidently thought
| was taking Il liberty with her in Ventur-
ing to remOn strate, but took no notice,
and prudently restrained myself
felt, even at that first moment, an I'M
accountable dislike to Mrs. Markham.
Most people would have pronounced her
very handsome, in spite of her sallow
complexion and thin lips, but certain
hardness in her expression repealed me,
as it repealed Joyce. Her dark eyes re-
garded one so coldly; there was such hau-
teur and indifference in her manners; and
then the metallic harshness of her voice
"HOw could she be Mrs. MOrtOn's us
teri" thought. as | recalled the swt 1T
Graclousness. the yielding seftness, that
made my dear mistress so universally be-
loved.
CHAPTER III-GAY cHERIToN.
Twas afraid Mrs. Markham did not I'M