San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-19
his departure for the west about ten days
after She left.

rlaDl9 postscript, NOT yet, by which
she would understand that he had not vet
put the decisive question, and sometimes,
when | feared lest her patience might
be exhausted, would add, but | have
hopes which was sure to reconcile her
for the time being to my staying away
little longer. To be sure, was my own
mistress. but WAS we'll aware, notwith-
standing, that Aunt Helen was fully
capable of coming on some fine day with
horse, foot and dragons, and putting u
summary end to my financial idyl.
began also to put the question to my
self, why | wished to remain in New
York had accomplished all that was
possible. without revealing my identity,
in the way of supervising the affairs of
Francis Prime and Company. 1t was
clearer to ME than ever that fortune
could only be made by slow degrees, and
that years must elapse doubtless before
my protege would attain his ambition.
The letters forwarded by Mr.. Chelm, and
my own observations on the spot, told me
that the affairs of the firm were only
moderately prosperous.
Especially was convinced of the truth
of this last statement from the fact that
my employer had of late mixed himself
up in certain speculations with Mr.. Dale,
from which he had made profits suffi-
cient to recoup his previous losses and
still show a balance in his favor. But
knew that he, as we'll as |, mistrusted
the soundness of the firm across the
street, and felt that in yielding to the
temptation of following its lead he was
running the risk of serious losses. Mr..
Prime confessed as much to me, and de-
clared that after a single venture to
which he had already committed him
self was terminated he intended to have
no more transactions with Roger Dale
1t was indeed difficult to say why |
still continued to remain in Mr.. Primes
employ. Although, as have indicated,
put the question to myself sometimes,
shrank from doing So and felt disposed
to let the future take care of itself pro-
vided was permitted to enjoy the pres
ent undisturbed. But this was begin
ming to be more and more difficult.
There were interests at home which
could not be longer neglected without
my mourning blame. belonged to So
cieties and clubs at which my presence
was required Then, too, it would not
be many weeks before the Honorable
Ernest would return to pay his promised
visit to Aunt Agnes, and felt far from
sure that should not make a mistake to
discourage his advances. There was a
wide difference between the sphere of an
Alice Bailey and the Duchess of Clyde.
But still delayed my return. How
well recall one Saturday afternoon in
June, when as by common instinct
business men seemed to close their doors
earlier than usual, and Mr.. Prime and
set off to enjoy half holiday in our
usual fashion. He was at the height of
good spirits, for the affair in which he
was interested jointly with Roger Dale
was doing wonderfully well, and the
profits promised to be enormous. Alb
sorbed in conversation, we failed to no
tice the close proximity of rapidly
driven horse, from under the hoofs of
which escaped by a mere hairs breath.
1t was trivial incident in itself. but
the exclamation which my companion
made and the eager, impetuous way in
which he expressed himself regarding
my safety, served to open my eyes to the
real condition of affairs between us.
There Was no use in my seeking longer
TO conceal from myself the reason for
my remaining in New York. L was Mr..
Primes society that held me there, and
decency babe me to put an end to our
relations at once, but on his account
far more than ON my own; for while
hattered myself that my heart was I'M
touched save by the emotion of warm
friendship, could not dismiss the con-
viction that his feeling for me was rapid
ly approaching the point at which friend
ship becomes an impossibility. Imust go,
and Immediately 1t was foolish and
Culpable of me to have staid so long A
girl. in the first blush of maidenhood
might excuse herself on the score of not
recognizing the signs of a more than
platonic interest, but for me such an
apology could not be other than sub
terfuge Mr. Prime had worry enough
already, and why add TO it the pain of an
unrequited attachment? | would go on
Monday. Tomorrow we were to walk
once more and Iwould frame some ex-
cuse, which he would never suspect, for
severing our connections.
But parallel with these reflections was
certain element of curiosity in my
mind as to whether Francis Prime would
be ever SO far carried away by his liking
for me as to ask me to become his wife
me, Alice Bailey, his poor, hired clerk!
wondered that | should be especially