San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-10-29

BY GEORGIANA NJ. CRAIK.
CHAPTER I.
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"If you please, ma'am,'' said Peggy,
dropping courtesy, mother says
you'n be glad to hear we've got
lodger."
"And who is the lodger, my dear2"
asked Aunt Susan.
1t was after sunset at the end of
hot day. The month was only May,
but the weather had turned very warm,
and the house was close, Aunt Susan
thought; besides she had got little
tired of listening to the talk of the
young curate in the drawing-roOm, and
the fresh air felt pleasant after it. He
was a very excellent young man-"but
really begin to wish he would not
come so often, or that my brother was
at home" thought Aunt Susan, linger-
ing amongst her flowers and giving
gentle sigh as she thought of the small
troubles of her life, and of the fOllies of
young people. Not that Gabrielle
meant any harm-she was sure OF that,
but she was so young and pretty. 1T
all comes of that-of her being so very
pretty" thought Aunt Susan gravely.
''She can't help it, poor dear, of course,
but it is a real trial to those connected
with her."
1t was a country house, not very far
from provincial town 1.-THE town was
Chester); pleasant old house set down
on big lawn, with belt of flowers
about it 1.-THE flowers were just begin
and yellow calceolarias putting forth
their brilliant colors at the foot of the
old walls), and round the lawn line of
noble beeches. "They are more than
two hundred years old - the finest
beeches that know anywhere about"
Mr.. Dunstan would sometimes say with
a loving pride in them. ''They used
long ago to be great weight upon Su-
sans mind, when l was little fellow,
and was always trying to climb them,
and running the daily risk of breaking
my neck. Inever did break my neck,
or any other part of me, with them,-
but Susan. you know, in those days
watched over me like a hen over her
one chicken"
This was Guy Dunstan, the master
of the house, who was away on the 9TH
er side of the world at present,-"the
more's the pity" as Aunt Susan often
thought. ''for there is too much upon
my hands for any woman to see to
properly. 1t is not the managing Of
the house l mind, for am used to that,
but it is the responsibility and the
charge of poor dear Helen. and the wor-
ry of Gabrielle's lovers; they are the
worst of all! l dare say l am more
anxious than l ought to be-but, oh, 1
shall be glad when Guy comes home"
Miss Dunstan used to mediate in
this manner some dozen times or more
a day. She was probably meditating so
at this very moment when Peggy Coul-
son came tripping across the grass and
dropped her courtesy, and gave her
message.
"If you please, ma'am, mother says
you'll be glad to hear we've got a lOdg-
err" said Peggy. -
her anxious thoughts and stopped in
her walk, and looked down kindly at
the little maiden.
"And who is the ledger, my dear?"
she said.
''She is Mrs. Hill, ma'am," answered
Peggy.
II don't think 1 know any Mrs. HILL"
said Aunt Susan.
mo, ma'am," replied Peggy, po-
litely.
"No. don't know any Mrs. Hill,"
repeated Aunt Susan thoughtfully;
"but tell your mother l am very glad
indeed to hear she has got her rooms
let, and say Twill look in tomorrow or
next day to see about it. And you go
round to the kitchen, Peggy, and get
your supper, and then run away home
as fast as you can before it gets
dark.
Poor soul, I am glad she has got q
lodger at last" said Miss Dunstan to
herself, as the little damsel trOtted
,r,;II har oOpnfOrfo-
BILE now, hope. She is good woman,
"a nice, Industrious All, there is
that young man on his feet at laSt!" eX-
claimed Aunt Susan, breaking off her
monologue with great suddenness and
alacrity.
81 was just about to make my way
into the garden to wish you good even
ing, Miss Dunstan," said the young
clergyman, leaving the place where he
had been standing, and advancing
toward Aunt Susan as she opened the
door.
Il have been taking a little turn
amongst my flowers. 1t is. so pleasant
out of doors. Are you going? Good
bye, Mr.. Walkington,n said Aunt SUI
san, and readily put out her hand.
Then you will not let me be of use
to your" said Mr.. Walkington next mo-
ment, turning back to the person he
had previously been speaking to, and
sinking his voice a little.
What, in buying old Sally her
gown" replied the person so addressed,
not sinking her voice at all.
"You know l would do it gladly-ifI
knew how"
IF were clergyman Iwould make
"A point of knowing how to buy old
women's gowns"
CIV that / Mould lnnrn horu To hnu