San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-06-05
AN ELIGIBLE MATCH.

driver-a large man in q water proof
coat and wide hat-drove 1t stolidly
along the road without making q re-
mark. Beside Miss Britton, in all her
wasp WASTED, white handed beauty, eat
little Cousin Denise, dark girl with nc
beauty whatever, but a good honest ex'
preston.
Miss Britton was not in her best mood.
Shc was in the habit of going to Sara.
toga, to Newport, to the Catskill Noun.
tain house, to places where well dressed
crowds congregatc, with trunks of new
clothes. This year her father, having
met with losses, had resolved to re.
trench. Ho had let the city house fur
nished for certain space Of time. He
had taken his wife to visit certain
Cousin Briggs, and he had sent his
daughter to this pretty hotel, with he,
cousin Denise for company.
The doctor had had whisper from
Miss Britton that had led him to declare
that she must have country air, and thii
was the result.
"Much better" said Mr.. Britton
ethan the kind of thing you'd have if
should fail. And you and your mother
have been going it for a considerable
time ut rate cant permit any longer.
Mrs. Britton had only meelSly sighed
and looked heavenward. Miss Brittor
had almost raved. But Mr.. Britton hat
his way.
Comfort yourself with the though
that it might have been worse" whis
percd Mrs. Britton in her daughters ear
as they parted "If Cousin Briggs hat
not been very particular about inviting
only two Of us, having but one SPAR
bedroom. she distinctly said, you nigh
have to go there"
As for Denise, she said nothing, but il
her heart she looked forward to dwelling
for a space in what she called "the rea
country" with joy. At the Fashionable
hotels she acted the part of amateu
lady's maid to her handsome cousin an'
to her stylish aunt. Her own dress wa
very plain and no one took any notice o
her. A poor relation without beauty il
much neglected in those matrimonial
markets of America. Naturally, Denis
had not been in the habit Of enjoying
herself. Now as they drove along
through the soft falling rain she peepe(
between the folds of the curtain an(
uttered gay little CALCULATIONS.
"Such lovely trees! Such nice ole
farmhouse! A little river with such {
pretty bridge"
But Cecilia Britton never troubled
herself to reply. Her wrongs wer'
heavy upon her.
II believe if | had gone to Newpor
this summer Mr.. Collingsby would have
offered himself" she said ut last "Pap;
has made great mistake in sending MI
to live in this horrible wilderness. Wha
is the use of being handsome and fasci
natina if one must be buried alive?
"Oh, it is lovely here" Denise cried
with those little gesticulations she hat
learned in childhood from the French
mother whose name she bore. "lt Il
lovely"
II don't think you even heard mi
speak of Charles Collingsby," said Ce
ella, gravely. II told you l felt SURF
that if we had met at Newport he would
have offered"
"Is it such pleasure to refuse menT
said Denise, with little shru3.
YES" replied Cecilia, scornfully. ''Oi
course you know nothing about it, but
it is very great triumph. However,
should not have refused Charles Ceilings
by, being in full possession ofmy senses.
"Oh! but you would never have mar
ried himy" gaspod Denise. "a man oil
that character, who drinks SO much, who
is talked of with married ladies, who is
brute in his manners. Yes, brute, Co
ella. Do YOU remember how he stepped
on other peoples toes and elbowed them
to get near that opera singer with tht
disgracefully low dress? How he said
once aloud in the cars, When give my
seat to any one it's pretty girl, not an
old married woman? Oh, he is horrible
I think. should not mind your saying
no to him, but you'd never
"Oh, I'd never" Knocked Cecilia. "Yor
are angry because he said you were a
ugly as a frog one day."
"Iconfess it," said Denise. "The ide'
of a man letting girl hear him say
that! And he wanted me to hear"
"You see you played third party toC
much" said Cecilia, laughing.
"You made me-" said Denise. 81 al
WAYS wanted to 60 away when he came
near Us, but you said"-
"Yes," said Cecilia "At that time
had INV eve on that handsome English
man. and was anxious to be awfully
uroper. But the Englishman did moi
want an American wife, and Charles
Collingsby has three millions Of money
and they are at the top Of the ladder
his family-and could do as pleased
Hes not straitlaced, and he told Mrs
Fox that was stunning Oh, ! should
have played my cards well this summer
Paua must be in difficulties 70 be q
mean a. he hai teen lately, and I'd have
been Mrs. CoIlingsby next winter, and
here I an among the pigs and the boors
not a creature TO speak tor and shs
I laused into silence.
Shortly the hotel was reached Denise
srose and jumped lightly TO the porch