San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-06-04

among the tDlCk SHRUBS ana trees, emery
ing from which on the far side, she strikes
out across the park in direction exactly
opposed to that Of the house. The storm
has almost subsidized; Miss Peyton walks
long and at a rapid pace, and as she walks
she thinks.
Although Kate Templemore's hurts
were not of a serious nature, they con.
fined her to bed and the doctors care fol
some days. John Dalyell went off with
the good Mr.. Price as had been arranged
pnd nothing had been done by anybody
to alter what diplomatists call the statu
quo ante.
John wrote every few days to his
mother and his tianCee, and if his letters
to the latter were not specimens OF
a lovers ardor, they betrayed no shift
ness of purpose, no GOODNESS even. moth
ing. in fact, of which a young lady in
her position could complain.
To say truth, this somewhat surprised
Miss Peyton. She asked herself what
she would do in his place, and very wise
ly confessed that she could not answer
the question. No; it was far easier to tel
what she meant to do in her own.
After nearly fortnight had elapsed
since the accident, the rash little Amazon
was permitted to rejoin her dear mamma,
and some four days later the two salmon
fishers returned from Scotland; but.
rather to everybody's surprise, Miss Pey.
ton had gone off with the old baroness to
EastbOurne, where she STAYED for three
whole weeks, and then instead of com.
ing home, as had been expected, betook
herself to the abode of some cousins ir
South Wales for fortnight longer.
She continued to write about weekly
to John, letters which betrayed no more
change in her feelings or intentions thar
did his to her.
Now, although the unhappy son of the
meddling Lady Charlotte looked upon all
this delay as a mere respite, it cannot be
denied that it was i'll a certain sense a
great relief to him. 1t behooved him to
show some little Impotence; so, after
complaining of Marian'S long absence, he
went on to press her to return, and
begged her earnestly to fix a definite and
not distant time for the wedding.
But Marian only said that she really
was coming home very soon, and there
would then be lots of time for discussing
the future.
In fine, when she did arrive at the
manor, the pair had not met for good
two months, and on the eventful NOR.
row a note was brought at : in the
morning to the following effect:
DEAR JOHN have just returned. Ii
is 10 o'clock and l am off to bed Will
you kindly make point of coming here
at II tomorrow, as have something of
an important and, fear, rather painful
nature to tell you. Atfectionately,
M. PEYTON.
Manor Park, Tuesday night"
John found it on his plate at breakfast.
The contents startled him. His first
thought was that Kate was dead-dying.
No, but what then: He read again, An
important and, fear, rather painful ma
ture."
"Why, Johnny" cried her ladyShip
from the other end of the table, what
on earth are you reading? You look" -
"Oh, nothing, mother, nothing. Just
line from Marian to say which is the
best hour to run over"
And high time. | declare. | never
saw such pair of lovers. Separated fol
weeks, and for nothing that can make
out However, | was saying to our
good Price Yesterday that you two will
jog on all the more safely for not having
done the Romeo and Juliet business be-
fore marriage, ct cetera," to not one word
of which verbiage did her son listen.
Sharp to his time he entered his fan
Gees drawing room. She was looking
pale but well, and had put on, he
thought, an unnecessarily smart gown to
receive him. Somehow they were both
seated before the servant-whO an.
nounced him, and who had been asked
to alter one of the blinds-left the room.
Thus all question Of fond salute had
been avoided.
She came at once to the point.
'JOhn,' she said, just clearing her
throat, Il have that to say which | fear
will pain you. My note will have. pre-
pared you, but believe that my affection
for you is great, and that l suffer too in
having to at1iict you. That, spite of this,
you will despise me, know"
"Despise you! That never shall"
Pray, pray, let me speak. Yes, de-
spise me; and that is the bitterest part to
bear. You, who are so constant, so
nOble-oh, what will YOU think of me?"
NAY, what can you mean
John, you have heard much of wo-