San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-08-09

y
1t is the climax of lifetime; it is the
date from which all others, all scenes,
trials. triumphs, take their due appor-
honment; it is the memory of all others
that fingers to the very last, when all.
all but this are banished from the dying
brain Rome, in her pride of place,
made the building of her capitol the eli
max of mundane history; everything in
her calendar was "ante urbem condi-
tam" or the reverse. The old world
measured from the flood; the new world
our world-measures from the birth of
him who died upon the cross; and the
lifetime of the man who has once deeply
and devotedly loved has found its climax
in the thrilling moment of the avowal.
"Have you no word to say to me, Ma
bel?-not one word of hope?-not one?"
he pleaded.
Then she turned her lovely face, look
ing into his deep eyes through mist of
tears.
Il do like YOU" she murmured; 81 do
honor you so, Capt. Lane: but that is not
what you deserve There is no one, be-
lieve me. whom | so regard and esteem;
butt do not know-I am not certain of
myself"
Let me try to win your love. Mabel
Give me just that right. Indeed. indeed
have not dared to hope that so soon ]
could win even your trust and esteem
You make me SO happy when you admit
even that"
1T is so little to give in return for
what you have given me-" she answered.,
softly, while her hand still lay firmly
held in the clasp of his.
yet it is so much to me. Think.
Mabel, in four days at most | must go
back to my regiment. | ask no pledge
or promise. Only let me write to you.
Only write to me and let me strive to
arouse at least a little love in your true
heart. Then by and by-six months,
perhaps-Tll come again and try my
fate. know that an old dr0goon like
me, with gray hairs sprouting in his
mustache-"
But here she laid her fingers on his
lips, and then, Selling both her hands,
he bowed his head over them and kissed
them passionately.
The day Of parting came, all too soon.
Duty-the mistress to whom he had
never hitherto given undivided allie
giance-Called him to tie distant west,
and the last night of his stay found him
bending over her in the same old win
dow. He was to take late train for
St. Louis, and had said farewell to all
but her. And now the moment had ar
rived. A glance at his watch had told
him that he had but twenty minutes in
which to reach the station.
She had risen, and was standing,
lovely picture Of graceful womanhOod,
her eyes trimming with tears. Both her
hands were now claSpedin his; she could
not deny him that at such time; but
but was there not something throbbing
in her heart that she longed to tell?
1T is good-by now," he murmured,
his whole soul in his glowing eyes, his in
finite love betrayed in those lips culver
ing under the heavy mustache.
She glanced up into his face.
"Fred'-and then, as though abashed
at her own boldness, the lovely head was
bowed again almost on his breast.
What is it, darling? Tell me-" he
whispered, eagerly, wild, wild hope
thrilling through his heart.
would it make you happier if-if /
told you that knew myself little bet
ter?'
mabel! Do you mean-do you care
for me!"
And then she was suddenly clasped in
his strong, yearning arms and strained
to his breast. Long, long afterward he
used to lift that travelling coat of gray
tweed from the trunk in which it was
carefully slowed away, and wonder if
if it were indeed true that her throbbing
heart had thrilled through that senseless
fabric, stirring wild joy and rapture to
the very depths Of his own.
Would / be sobbing my heart out,
at last she murmured, IF | did not love
you and could not bear to have you go?"
CHAPTER VIII.
What an awfully pretty girl that
Miss Vincent is, Amosv' said Mr.. Noel
one morning, as the cousins were quietly
breakfasting together before going down
town.
Pretty? yes" said Amos, doubtfully.
But look here, my boy; recollect that
you want to think of something more
than pretty in selecting a wife while
you are in here ON this detail. Now,
Mrs. Withers and have been keeping