San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-10-14
BAFFLED CONSPRATQRS
By ", E NORRIS.

)ne VINO should undertake this torlorn
nope would establish a strong claim
upon the good offices of his party. Mr..
Schneider, therefore. courageously threw
himself into the breach, and was very
properly complimented on his pluck by
right honorable noblemen and gentle
men.
Il only wish there were more Conser-
natives who took your view of their duty
70 the party and the country, Mr.,
Schneider" very great man said to him
that evening; and Schneider replied,
with no less truth than felicity, that
such words more than rewarded him for
he labor Of fighting an uphill battle. {
And no doubt it was natural enough
that, seeing so many kindly and encour-
lging faces around him, and hearing so
many pleasant things said of him, Mr..
schneider should have felt that he was
'ailing on the top of the tide toward
hat fair haven upon which his eyes had
for some time past been longingly fixed.
Mr.. Schneider and Sybil countess of
Belvoir entertained at dinner last night
the prime minister, the French, German
and Russian ambassadors, the duke and
duchess of Paddington," etc. Oh, rapt-
urous vision! What remained but to
ascertain the views of Sybil countess
of Belvoir with regard to its fulfllment?
Then the ardent wooer recollected, as
others had done, that there was one
trifing obstacle to be surmounted be-
fore her ladyship could be approached
with direct offer; but the recollection
did not distress him as much as it had
distressed the others; because, to begin
with, he was under no apprehension of
being laughed at, and. besides, he did
not think it at all likely that he would
be interfered with. Moreton might pos
sibly vote against him, Moreton being
one of those conceited fellows who can
not stand being snubbed by ladies who
fail to appreciate their destinations; but
lis for Lord Cruise and Mr.. Thorold, they
would surely be forced to admit the
suitability of the match. Rank on the
one side, wealth on the other-what
more would you have? There was no
question of sentimentality about the
business.
1t so CHANGED that he was able to do
no more than exchange a few hasty
words with Lady Belvoir until just as
she was leaving, when she passed him at
the top of the staircase with smile and
familiar little nod. But after she had
descended few steps she paused and
glanced back at him over her shoulder.
by the way" she said, will one see
you again? am off for the country, you
know"
Indeed, | did not know it," answered
Schneider in dismay. You don't start
Immediately, hope. When may l call
upon you? When shall l find you at
liberty? IL have so many things that
want to say to you!"
so many as that? Wednesday about
3 o'clock, then; but don't be later, or
you may not have time to say them all
before somebody else comes in. Good
night"
There was perhaps a shade of mockery
in her tone, but what did that matter
when her eyes expressed nothing but the
tenderest kindliness? Schneider watched
her tall. graceful figure until it disap-
peared, and felt that he was indeed
happy man. 1t was all very well to tell
Lord Guise and other heartless world
lings that he was DESTROYS of marrying
her for the sake of her social position,
but to himself he could admit the exist
ence of less discreditable reason than
that. Lady Belvoir would probably
have been quite touched if his thoughts
could have been revealed to her.
CHAPTER VII