San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-11-01

Probably, had 1t been any one but her
uncle who had treated her with this
sort of brusquerie, Gabrielle would
hardly have submitted to it; but some
how, willful and self-assertive as the
girl was, she had got into a way of un-
derstanding when it was well for her to
submit to Mr.. Dunstan, and of usually,
by kind of instinct, knowing in his
presence when it was wisest to hold her
tongue. So, though at this moment she
resented being treated as if she had been
Rover. yet she had the grace and the
sense to keep her resentment to herself,
and for half an hour she paced by Mr..
Dunstan's eide. silently contemplating
the country road before her-listening
a little to what the two men were say
ing, but no. troubling herself much
even to do that, for their talk was I'M
interesting 10 her call about steam-en-
gines and things of that sort" was her
own description of it afterward), and
hardly a sentence of it was she able,
even when she did listen, thoroughly to
understand.
But yet, incapable as she was either
of appreciating the worth, or cOmpre-
hending the import of what they said,
still to a certain extent, to give her due,
this dull talk of theirs instinctively ap-
proved itself to her. For Gabrielle Lynn
was very ignorant, but she had sort of
natural reverence and respect for learn
ing; she did not like study in her own
person, but she heartily approved Of
other peoples liking it: she had hor-
ror of science $50 she said), but in her
heart she admired a man who could talk
with wisdom and knowledge Of scien-
tific things. AS she listened at momentS
-, ,ol, 70
two men as they talked together now, I
for George Gilbert rather returned
again. The matter of their talk, indeed,
was merely all as so much dead rubbish
to her, but the manner OF it impressed
her rather in way she liked. For she
liked to be made to feel certain conf
dence in peOple-a confidence that
doctor knew his profession, that a car
penter knew his trade, that clergy
man understood his calling; and so she
instinctively likedit when she perceived
that the young engineer talked very
certainly as if he knew what he was
talking about.
Grave, strong, earnest talk it was,-
very unintelligible to Gabrielle, but at
least with tone about it to make her
feel that. Yet still, must repeat. very
unintelligible, so that she yawned be-
fore the half hour came to an end, and
wished that they would stop talking,
and felt very tired of holding her own
tongue.
They had made round and were
vending their steps homeward.
"Does Uncle Guy mean to bring him
in?" Gabrielle was beginning to thinkto
herself.
But before they had quite reached
their own gate, Mr.. Gilbert suddenly
took out his watch.
II must bid you good day. have an
engagement at SIX he said quietly.
"Can't you come home with us?" Mr..
Dunstan asked.
"No-not to-day,"-and then he held
out his hand.
Come and dine with us tomorrow
then-will your"
The young man hesitated for q mo-
ment; then said
THANK you'll would rather take my
chance some day of finding you at
home"
''But shall be certain to be at home
at dinner-time tomorrow. Why cant
you come thenp Nonsense, George"
said Mr.. Dunstan half-impatiently,-I
won't let you off,"
''Very well; I'll come" And then he
raised his hat to Gabrielle, and went his
way.
sand so he is really coming to din
nerl' said Gabrielle ten minutes after
ward. AUNT Susan, do you think he
will want to sit on the dining-table, and
drink porter out of pewter pot? Hope
he won't want to sit on the dining
table," said the girl with mock earnest
ness, for it would look so odd to the
servants. 1 almost think it would
brighten Wilkins into fits"
my dear, how can you say anything
so absurd? AS if the poor young man
was more likely to want to sit upon the
table than any of the rest of usl" ex-
claimed Aunt Susan.
,"Well, don't know. We seem to be
beginning to know such odd people
now, you see," Gabrielle said. There
is Mrs. Hill, who won't sit down in the
dining-roOm at all, and Mr.. Gilbert,
who will come to dinner in his shirt
sleeves, perhaps, with smut across his
face"
my dear-my dear!" cried Aunt SUI
san.
But Gabrielle, who was wickedly fond
Of shocking Aunt Susan, vouchsafed
no explanation, but simply looked in
that good woman's face and laughed.
CHAPTER VIII.
Miss Dunstan good-naturedly tried
to make much of Mr.. Gilbert, when he
dined with them next day. II dare say
he will he rather shy and awkward.