San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-02-20

his manner. an tight in his clothes, dOub
If he'd condescend to enther the kitchen"
"Timothy,' says Miss Priscilla, with much
displeasure, ''yOu have been having hot
words with this stranger. What is it all
about" ... ..
There's times, miss, as we all knows
when worm will turn; and though Pm not
| a worm, ma'am, no more am a coward, an
a red coat don't cover more flesh than a
| black; an I'm an ould man, Miss Priscilla,
| to be called buffer!'
1t is apparent to every one that Timothy
is nearly in tears.
"A buffer?' repeats Miss Priscilla, with
disgust; she treats the word cautiously, as
one might something nOXiOuS. what is a
buffer?"
Nobody enlightens her; though perhaps
Terence might, were he not busily engaged
trying to suppress his laughter behind a
huge Japanese fan.
perhaps, Timothy" says Miss Priscilla,
gravely, "as we all seem in ignorance about
the real meaning of this extraordinary word,
you are wrong in cOndemning it as an insult.
1t may be-er-a term of endeGrmeRt"
At this Terence chOkes, then coughs sol
EMMY, and finally, lowering the fan, shows
himself preternaturally grave, as set-otf
against all suspicious.
Il wouldn't pin me faith to that, miss, if
l was you" says Ryan, respectfully, but
| with touch of the fine irony which is bred
and born with his class in Ireland.
well, but as we cannot explain this word,
Timothy, and you cannot, perhaps the best
thing for you to do will be to go to the orig
inator of it and ask him what he meant by
it." says Miss Penelope, with quite astOnish-
ing perspicacity for her.
Sure | did that same, miss. Twas the
first thing l said to him, ma'am. What do
We name, spalpeen, we thief O. the world
says /, by miScalling dacent man out of
his name like thatp says |. Il gave him all
that, miss, an dale more, though I've for
gotten it be now, for the Ryans was always
famous for the gift o. the gabp ...
IF you said all that to the poor marine,
think you gave him considerably more than
you got" says Miss Penelope, land so You
may cry peace. Go down now, Timothy,
and make it up with him over your beer"
Timothy, though still grumbling in an I'M
der-tone death and destruction upon the
hated Sassenach, retires duteously, closing
the door behind him.
Nov, Penelope" says Miss Priscilla,
with an air of relief, glancing at the pens
and ink, at which MOnica's heart fails her.
She has no doubt whatever about the an
Swer being refusal, but a sad feeling that
she dare make no protest renders her dOubly
sOrrOwful.
Dear mep' says Miss Penelope, leaning
back in her chair with pen well poised be-
tween her fingers, and a general air of pleas
ed recollection full upon her, lit sounds
quite like old Oimes-dOesn't TITO be in
yited to the Barracks at ClOnbree."
quite" says Miss Priscilla, with an
amused smile. .... ...
You remember when the Whiteboys
we're so troublesome, in our dear fathers
time, what life the officers stationed here
then, threw into the country round. Such
rOuts such dances! such kettle-drumsl You
can still recOllect Mr. Brown-can you not,
Priscilla?-that fashionable young manp'
you have the best right to remember
him." returns Miss Priscilla, in meaning
tone. ut would be too grateful of you if
you did not, considering what life you led
him."
And at this the two old ladies break into
hearty laughter and shake their heads re-
prOachfully at each other.
you lnOIU you broke hiS~heart," says
Miss Priscilla.
Tell us about it, amtie," says Kit eager
ly, who is always sympathetic where rO-
nance is COncerned; but the old ladies only
laugh the more at this, and Aunt Priscilla
tells her how her aunt Penelope was very
naughty girl in her time, and created havoc
in the affections of all the young men that
came within her reach.
All this delights Aunt Penelope, who
laughs cOnsumedly and makes feeble pro-
test with her hands against this testimony.
Poor fellowp' she says, SOLDERING down
presently, and looking quite remOrSeful. 1T
is unkind to laugh when his name is men-
| toned. He was killed in the Indian Mutiny,
| long afterward, in most gallant charge"
Yes, indeed" says Miss Priscilla. "Well,
well, things lOiU happen. Go on with the
answer now, Penelope, as the man is wait
! ing and it is wOfully late.
Monica trembles. But Kit starts into life.
"Oh, don't refuse, Aunt Priscillaw she
| cries, darling from her seat and throwing
her arms round Miss Blake's neck. Don't
nOwL do so rant to go, when have got
| my invitation. and al?
But" begins Miss Priscilla; where
! upon Kit, tightening her hold on her neck,
| with view to staying further objection,
nearly strangles her.
mo butts" she says, entreatingly: re
member how disappointed was about Mad
anne OCOnnOr's, and be good to me now"
Bless the childp' breaks out Miss Pris'
ella, having rescued her windpipe, and Sc
| saved herself from instant suffocatiOn by
lOosening Kits arms, and then drawing the
child down upon her knee. What is she
talking about? who is going to refuse any
thing? Penelope, accept, at Once,-Gt once
or shall be squeezed to deathr'
"Then you IUiJ gO"' eXclaims Monica,
joining the group near the davenport, and
turning brilliant eyes upon her auntS "Oh
l am so gladr'
"Why, we are dying to sec~,the inside OF