San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-03-10

had made for me. | confess | looked at
myself with some cOmplacency. mo
one would take me for a nurse" thought.
In the hall | encountered Mr.. Morton;
he was just going out. For the moment
he did not recognize me. He removed his
hat hurredly; no doubt he Thought me
stranger
81 could not help smiling at his mistake,
and then he said, rather awkwardly, II
did not know you, Miss Fenton. | am
glad you have such lovely afternoon for
YOUR holiday: there seems look of spring
in the air." all very civilly, but with his
keen eyes taking in every particular of my
dress.
heard from Mrs. Garnett afterward
that he very much approved of Miss Fen
tons quiet, lady-like appearance; and as
he was very fastidiOus man, this was
considered high praise. There was more
than a touch Of spring in the air; the de-
lciouS softnesS seemed to promise open
ing buds Down Exhibition Road the
fower-girls were busy with their baskets
of snowdrops and violets bought few
for Aunt Agatha, then remembered that
Uncle Keith had a weakness for a partic
ular sort of SCOne, and bought some and
slice of rich Dundee Seed-Cake. | felt
like a schoolgirl providing a little home
feast; but how pleasant it is to cater for
those we love, | was glad when my short
journey was over, and | could see the
river Shimmering a steely blue in the
spring sunshine The old church towers
seemed more venerable and picturesque.
As | walked down High Street | looked at
the well-knOwn shops with an interest
never felt before.
When | reached the cottage | rang very
softly. that Aunt Agatha should not be
disturbed. Patience uttered a pleased eX-
clamation when she caught sight of me.
''Is it really yourself, Miss Merle?
could hardly believe my eyes. Mistress
is in there reading" pointing to the draw
ing-rOOm. She has not heard the bell,
I'll be bound so you can surprise her
finely"
| acted on Patiences hint, and opened
the door noiselessly. How coy the room
looked in the freight! and could any
sight be more pleasant to my eyes than
dear Aunt Agatha sitting in her favorite
low chair, in her well-wOrn black silk and
pretty lace cap? | shall never forget her
look Of delight when she saw me.
Merle! Oh, you dear child! Do you
mean it is really you? Come here and let
me look at you. | want to see what
seven weeks of hard work has done for
you"
But Aunt Agatha's eyes were very dim
as she looked.
There, sit down, and get warm" Civ
ing me an energetic little push, land tell
me all about it. Your letters never do
you justice, Merle. must hear your eX-
perience from your own lips"
What a talk that was 1t lasted all the
afternoon, until Patience came in to set
the tea-table, and we heard Uncle keith's
boots on the scraper; even that sound was
musical to me. When he entered the
room | gave him a good hug, and had put
some of my viOlets in his buttOn-hOle long
before he had left off saying ''Hirrumph"
in his surprise.
she looks well, Agatha, does she nOt?"
he observed, as we gathered round the
tea-table. 80 the scheme has held out
for seven weeks, Ell? You have not come
to tell US you are tired of being a nurse?"
"No, indeed" | returned, Indignantly.
81 am determined to prove to you and the
whole world that my theory is sensible
one. | am quite happy in my wOrk-per-
fectly happy, Uncle Keith. / would not
part with my children for worlds. Joyce
is so amusing, and as for Reggie, he is
such a darling that could not live with
out him."
1T is making woman of Merle | can
see that" observed Aunt Agatha. softly.
81 confess l did not like the plan at first,
but if you make it answer, child, you will
have me for convert. You look just as
nice and just as much a lady as you did
when you were leading a useless life here.
Never mind if in time your hands grow
little less soft and white; that is small
matter if your heart expands and your
conscience is satisfied You remember
your favOrite motto, Merle?'
Yes, indeed, Aunt Agatha-LdbOrdrC
est OrGre. Now must go, for Uncle Keith
is pulling out his watch which means l
have to catch my train"
But as trudged over the bridge beside
him in the starlight, and saw the faint
CLEANS lying on the dark, shadowy river,
a voice seemed to whisper to my inner
consciousness, Courage, Merle; a good
beginning makes a glad ending. Hold
fast to your mOttO-LGbOrGrG est OrdTe."
CHAPTER IX.-BERENGARIA.
The bright spring days found me a close
prisoner to the house. The end of April
had been unusually chilly, and one cold
rainy night Reggie was taken with an at
tack of Group.
1t was very severe attack, and for an
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