San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-01-07

strong foreboding of the truth possessed my
| soul.
"If you will step in here" said /, opening
chamber door, Il will let my lord know.n
"And am sure it's very good of you, Mr..
What-is-your- name," says the colonel
Up to the nall went, slow footed There
they were, all three, my old lord in his place,
Mrs Henry at work by the window, Mr.
Henry las was much his custom) pacing the
low end. In the midst was the table laid for
supper. told them briefly what had to say.
Ny old lord lay back in his seat Mrs. Henry
sprung up standing with mechanical motion,
and she and her husband stared at each
others eyes across the room; it was the
strangest, challenging look these two ex-
changed, and as they looked the color faded
in their faces. Then Mr.. Henry turned to
me, not to speak, only to sign with his finger;
but that was enough, and went down again
for the colonel.
When we returned, these three were in
much the same position / had left them in.
believe no word had passed.
my Lord Durrisdeer, no doubtg says the
colonel, bowling, and my lord bowed in
answer. "And this" continues the colonel,
''should be the Master of Ballantrael"
II have never taken that name," said Mr.
Henry; "but am Henry Durie, at your SER
vice"
Then the colonel turns to Mrs Henry, bow
ing with his hat upon his heart and the most
killing airs of gallantry. There can be no
mistake about SO fine figure of lady," says
he. II address the seductive Miss Alison, of
whom have so often heards"
Once more husband and wife exchanged a
look
II am Mrs. Henry Durie," said she; "but
before my marriage my name was Alison
Graeme."
Then my lord spoke up. II am an old
man, Col Burke,n said he, land frail one
1t will be mercy on your part to be expedi-
tious. Do you bring me news Off he hest
tated, and then the words broke from him
with a singular change of voice-"my sonp
"My dear lord will be round with you
like soldier" said the colonel. II do"
My lord held out wavering hand; he
seemed to wave a signal, but whether it was
to give him time or to speak on, was moro
than we could guess. At length he got out
the one word-'GoodW
"Why, the very best in the creation, " cries
the colonel "For my good friend and adj
mired comrade is at this hour in the fine city
of Paris, and as like as not, if know any
thing of his habits, he will be drawing in his
CudlI " d pett vi ululCl' DCuuls DcllcNo
the Iady's fainting"
Mrs. Henry was indeed the color of death,
and dropped against the window frame But
when Mr.. Henry made movement as if to
run to her, she Strengthened with sort of
shiver II am well, y she said, with her white
lips.
Mr. Henry stopped, and his face had
strong twitch Of anger. The next moment
hn hoI t,,Vs,, rln
not blame yourself" says he, ''for this effect
on Mrs. Durie. 1t is only natural; we were
all brought up like brother and sister"
Mrs Henry looked at her husband with
something like relief or even gratitude In
my way of thinking, that speech was the
first step he made in her good graces.
"You must try to forgive me, Mrs. DuEja,
for indeed and | am just an Irish savage"
said the colonel; land | deserve to be shot
for not breaking the matter more artistically
to a lady. But here are the masters own
letters-One for each of the three of you;
and to be sure Gf | know anything of my
friends genius, he will tell his own story
with a better grace"
He brought the three letters forth as he
spoke, arranged them by their superscrip-
tions, presented the first to my lord, who took
it greedily, and advanced toward Mrs. HeHry
holding out the second.
The lady waved it back. "To my hus-
band, says she, with choked voice.
The colonel was quick man, but at this he
was somewhat nonplused TO be sure" says
he, chow very dull of mel To be sure" But
he still held the letter
At last Mr.. Henry reached forth his hand
and thcra was nothing to be done but give Il
up. NJ Henry took the letters Doth hers
and his own and looked upon their outside,
with his brows knit hard as if he were think
ing. He had surprised me all through by his
excellent behavior; but he was to excel him
self now.
Let me give you hand to your room y
said he to his wife. This has come some
thing of the suddenest; and at any rate. Won
will wish to read your letter by yourself.
Again she looked upon him with the same
thought of wonder, but he gave her no time.
coming straight to where she stood 1T will
be better So believe me-" said he, land Col
Burke is too conSiderate not to excuse you.n
And with that he took her hand by the
fingers and lei her from the hall.
Mrs. Henry returned no more that NIGHT.
and when Mr. Henry went to visit her next
morning, as l heard long afterward, she gave
him the letter again, still unopened.
'Oh, read it and be donel" he had cried.
Spare me that said She
And by these two speeches, to nv way of
thinking, each undid great part of what
they had previously done well. But the let
ter, sure enough, came into my hands, and
by me was burned, unopened.
To be very exact as to the adventures of
the master after Culloden, wrote not long
QiTn RI 10 oh - J