San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-03-05

the test, /, Merle Fenton, will do so,
though must take the plunge unaided
and alone"
But all these feeling observations were
locked up in my own inner consciousness.
for during the remainder Of the evening
Uncle Keith simply ignored the subject,
and read his book with pretense of be-
ing perfectly absorbed in il, though / am
certain that his eyes twinklsd mischiev-
ously whenever he looked in my direction,
as though he were quite aware Of my food
of repressed OratOry
| determined to have it out with Aunt
Agatha, so | followed her into her room,
and asked her in a peeviSh voice what she
meant by saying Uncle Keith would be so
angry with me, as he had not raised a
single objection; and, of course, as sill
ence meant consent, | should most GER
tainly keep my appointment at Princes
Gate.
Aunt Agatha looked a little distressed
as she answered me.
ITO tell you the truth, Merle, | did
not quite understand your uncle myself;
IeXpected a very different reception of my
news"
Tell me all about it from the very be-
ginning" | returned, eagerly. patience
has made such nice fire, because she said
she was afraid you had cold and l can
just sit by it and brush out my hair while
we talk"
But | am tired and sleepy, child, and
after all there is not much to tell" OBJ
Jected Aunt Agatha; but she was far too
goOd-natured 30 refuse, for all that, so
she seated herself, dear soul, in the big
chair-that she had christened ldleness-
and tried to remember what | wished to
hear. 81 told him everything, Merle; how
your one little defect hindered you, poor
child, from being a nursery goVernesS,
or companion, and how, in spite of this
serious obstacle, you were determined to
work and be independent"
"Well, and did he say nothing to all
that" | asked. for knew in what feel
ing manner Aunt Agatha would have de-
scribed my difficulties.
"Oh, yes; he said. Poor little thing in
the kindest possible way, and quite right
very proper when l spoke of your de-
sire to work"
"Well?" rather impatientiy.
HE listened very attentively until l
read him out the advertisement, but that
seemed to upset him, for he burst out
laughing, and thought he would never
stop. was half crying by that time, for
you had worried me to death all the after
noon, Merle, but nothing | could say
would make him grave for long time.
lie said once, What could have put sue h
thing into her head?' and then he laugh
ed again as though the idea amused him,
and then he rubbed his hands and NUT
tered, What an original child ut is; there
is no deficiency of brain power, as far as
can see; who would have dreamed of such
a thing and so on"
Then may flatter myself that Uncle
Keith approves of my sCheme2' observed,
stifly, for | was much offended at the idea
of his laugh.
"Oh, dear, nor returned Aunt Agatha,
in an alarmed voice, che expressed his
disapprOval very strongly; he said it was
all very well in theory, and that, on the
whole he agreed with you that the nurs-
cry was undoubtedly a lady-like sphere,
but he was far from sure that your scheme
would be practical. He foresaw all kinds
of difficulties, and that he did not con-
slider you at all the person for such posi-
ton"
"Why did not Uncle Keith say all this
to me HIMSELF" ! demanded.
because he said it would only be SOW
ing the wind to raise the whirlwind. In
an argument he declares women always
have the best Of it, because they can talk
the fastest, and never will own they are
beaten; to raise objections would only be
to strengthen you more in your purpose
I ipl- hn
softesJ voice, that he hoped your plan
would die natural death. for he recon-
mended me to withdraw all opposition"
Oh, the cunning Of hese men. [ would
not have believed all this of Uncle Keith.
was far too angry to talk any more to
Aunt Agatha; only commanded my voice
sufficiently to say that fully intended to
keep my appointment the next day; and
as she emily looked at me worry sadly and
said HstnlAs, had ne excuse for Hnger-
Ing aay longer, SO took up my candle
stick and marched into my own room.
IL felt cold and desolate, and as l sat
down by the toilet table, such sad eyes
looked int mine from the depths Of the
mirror, that = curious self-pityinS feeling
made me prop my chin on my hands and
exchange looks of silent sympathy with
my image.
Ny want of beauty never troubled me:
it has always been my private conviction
that We ought to be thankful If we are
tolerably pleasant in other peoples eyes:
beauty IS too rare gift to be oftsn repro
duced. If people thought me nice-looking
was moro than content; perhaps it was
surprising that. with such good Hooking
~ f.
else But never mind, Merle, you have
n Dnnd fui1rA tall