San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-10-17

was impossible to stand still in such a
temperature. 81 was on my way to call
upon you" he said presently.
Dorothy could do no less than beg him
to carry out his intention, and this she
did, though without any great cordiality
of manner.
Eyes" he went on rather nervously,
81 was obliged to come today because,
unfortunately, am very much pressed
for time. My cousin tells me that she
wants to 60 to London Immediately, so
that felt mustn't miss chance of see
ing YOU" He added-for somehow or
other there seemed to be no possibility
If leading up to his point by degrees
Didn't you think it very odd of me to
rush Off round the world at moments
lotice?"
"Wel," she replied consideringly, II
iare say might have thought it odd if
you hadn't explained to me that every
body did that sort of thing nowadays,
and that you were expected to do what
everybody else did"
"Did | say that? | don't remember
what said, but had to say something,
and couldn't tell you my real reason
then, as, thank heaven! lean now. Any
how you must have seen that | was not
starting on this journey of my own free
will. And, Miss Leslie. Think am
sure-you must have seen something
more than that. think you must have
known very well that what made me
hate leaving England so was that that
implied leaving you"
1t was now Dorothy's turn TO look
perturbed and embarrassed She had
not been prepared for soprompt a declar-
alton as this, nor did she know how to
reply to it. AS she had strict regard
for truth she decided upon the safe plan
of making no reply at all, and Percy re-
sumed:
''Of course you knew it; you couldn't
help knowing i'll made 10 secret of my
love for you. 1t would have been better
if had said less until was sure of being
able to say more; but the truth is never
for one moment supposed that my mouth
would be closed at the eleventh hour, as
it was.
II will tell you presently how that
came to pass, and hope you will see
that wasn't very much to blame in the
matter; but it is such long story that
haven't the heart to embark upon it
while am still in suspense. Besides it
may be that there will be no need for me
to trouble you with the story at all. !
mean that if you intended to refuse me
last summer-did you intend to refuse
me, Miss Leslie."
This was certainly not fair question,
and Dorothy would have been justified
in declining to answer it. Declining to
answer such questions is, however, pref
ty much the same thing as answering
them, so she said in resentful tone:
Lady Belvoir seems to think that to
ask for what you wanted would have
been quite sufficient then, and that it
will be quite sufficient now. Nodoubt
she has impaired her views upon the
subject to YOU"
''She has been very kind and-and
encouraging" Percy was compelled to
admit; "but | think that was chiefly
because she was sorry for me, and saw
how much | needed little encourage
ment. Then, too, she had faith enough
in me to take my word for it that did
not leave England from any discredita
BILE or dishonorable cause. But she has
never pretended to know for certain that
you cared for me-"
"Oh, indeedr exclaimed Dorothy,
flushing up; "she actually confessed
that she didn't know that for certain!
am amazed at her moderation. Still ]
don't think will trouble you to tell me
that long story, Mr.. Thorold; you real
ly don't owe me any explanation or
apology"
So far Percy had not put his case very
skillfully, and her annoyance was natu-
raj enough; but man who is thorough
ly in earnest is not easily abashed, and
Mr.. Thorold was resolved to have a
plain answer to a plain question. After
a moments silence he said:
~ know you are too straightforward
to trihe with me, and | don't believe
you will think me conceited for confess
ing that had hopes before left Lon
don. 1t isn't question of will or judg-
ment; one loves or one doesn't love, for
the simple reason that one can't help
ones self, and if you don't and can't love
me all the eloquence in the world would
do me no good" Then he stood still
and made a half turn so as to face her.
Must say good-by nowT' he asked.
If Dorothy had not rehearsed scene
resembling this in many particulars she
would have been indeed an abnormal
young woman; but the worst of such