San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-12-30

that she shall leave New York without
spot on her reputation, and you must
bear hand. Otherwise you're not the
fellow / took you for" Wallie knew
Bellingham better and had more infu-
ence over him than any one else, and
the end of it was that Bellingham con-
sented to come.
There were less than twenty persons
at the dinner. The dining room walls
were of soft Indian red hue, the wood
work being mahogany and maple. The
flowers on the table were yellow and
blue. The room was lighted by tinted
wax candles, each provided with little
colored shade. Everything looked cool,
fresh and sweet. The host and hostess
received their guests in the adjoining
Drawing room. By previous arrange
ment Mile. Mariana and Mrs. Bemax
were the first to arrive. The diva was
dressed in something white, of 1.-THE
and feathery effect, giving the impress
sion of beautiful great bird. Her
heart was up, for this was her first IT.
revocable step in her assumed personal
ity. She was high spirited girl, and
having entered upon her course she had
laid aside fear and irresolution.
Whatever she did she would do with
her might. Such vision of purity and
loveliness as she was did not often en-
ter a New York drawing room. She
gave her hand first to Mrs. Cadwalader
and then to Wallie. The latter grasped
it cordially, and seemed about to say
something, but suddenly checked him
self, and looked at her with an odd. per-
picked expression, like man who is
taken by surprise. Doubtless so much
beauty would be surprise to any one
After moments hesitation he said,
Pm glad to welcome you to this coun-
try, mademoiselle. l hope you will learn
to feel like an American as much as you
already look like one."
Thank you; if it is American to feel
happy then | am one" she answered,
and it was observable as she spoke that
this foreign ladys pronunciation was re-
markably accurate. Wallie forbore to
make the observation, however; he only
took his chin between his thumb and
forefnger with quietly smiling look.
Mrs. Cadwalader said: ''What deli
cious lace, Mademoiselle Mariana! 1t is
like frost work on ivory. Will you take
a cup of tea!"
Mile. Mariana declined, and presently
the other guests began to arrive.
There was Mr.. Barcliffe, wool mer-
chant, but for social purposes an anna
tar1 10 .1n IL,
lively man, with gray hair and an inn
mense gray mustache, like a great bar
across the lower part of his face; he had
the air of always standing on tiptoe to
peep across this bar with sportive,
twinkling expression. There was Mr..
Bidgood, rosy, FOSTERING, spherical
parsonage, bald headed and short of
breath; he smiled at you with pene-
trating look, as if there were private
joke between you and himself which it
would not do to mention.
There was Mr.. GrasInere, tall, courtly
and romantic, with resonant voice and
an occasional CLEAN from beneath his
upper eyelids, as if his soul were kindling
within him. He had been a lawyer by
profession, but had married well, and
was now the proprietor of an artistic
weekly. There was Mr.. Knight, dis
tinguished politician with fresh COM
plexion, clear cut features, powerful
black eyes and snow white hair; his
bearing was cOvertly cOndescending, as
though he were reluctant to have you
realize how greatly he was your supe-
rior. There was Mr.. Damon, also white
haired and white bearded, a somewhat
unsuccessful publisher, but gifted with
a warm heart, a keen wit and bitter
tongue. There was a certain unconven-
tional wrath and heat about him, mixed
with laughter and mockery, and moth
ing seemed to delight him so much as to
shock 5 faSSidi90s pessaa OK to bully
auRbuR
There was Mr.. Planter, gentleman
all profile and eyeglasses, with graf
ing voice, a retentiYe memory and an
Unsuitable earnestness. He was presi-
dent of the American branch of the So
ciety for the Scientific Investigation of
Supernatural Phenomena, and his nor
NAL condition was one of high argument
and exposition. He spoke of himself as
"'we," and of the rest Of the world as
''you"-imparting to thatpronoun an in
tonation signifcative of bigotry and
prejudice. His neck projected forward,
and his figure was thin and curved like
the new moon. There was Mr.. Beau
fort, once clergyman, now an actor,
large headed, small bodied man, with a
big nose and deep set eyes, extremely