San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-10

Hearing Edith's step as she spoke
these words, Bonnie turned quietly and
unlocked the always open door. The
other girl paused as she entered, and
looked at her strangely
why. Bennie dear what is the mat
teri You seem really woebegone. These
are not the looks for bride elect! You
bring back wicked old John Stockings
song:
Why so wan and pale, young bover
Prthee, why so paleS
viii, when looking well can't move her
Looking i'll prevaili
Prithee, why SO pale? .....
DO not jest, Edith" Bonnie answered
gravely 1T is no trifing step am
about to take. Can you wonder that
the responsibility weighs on mes 1t is
grave-awfulr'
But you never so looked at it before
Miss Van der Huysen answered quietly
And you surely have had time to think
of all this. ..... ..I.-....
al was never SO near it them" Bonnie
answered gravely, but still calmly 1T
never seemed so real before"
Scarcely fattering to the groom to
be-" Edith retorted with a dry little
laugh But then he win never know,
dear: SO so on with your dressing like a
good child Before | begin my own
war paint. can do anything?
Nothing! On, yes: you can give
Bennie put her hand to her bosom
touched the note hidden there. and
stopped suddenly looking straight into
Miss Van der Huvsen's quiet brown eyes
with trusting blue ones. Edith. be-
lieve you love memo. don't interrupt
me! know you do And trust you
implicitly believe you can trust me
without word Of explanation. Herel
When we are gone-not before, remem-
Der; but after we leave Rose villa to
night--give this to Dale Everett Give
it when no one is by to see. Don't ask
me anything, please! 1t is simple
little note: only word of farewell. and
a little request"
Edith Van der Huysen's eyes darken.
ed, but the voice was sweetly low that
answered:
Certainly. dear; Dale shall have it.,
as you ask And why should ask any
questions? But have you nothing to
give-no word even-for Adrieny'
Nothing" Bennie answered simply.
Edith took the little envelope, but
never moved her quiet. darkened eyes
from Bennie's face as the latter crossed
to the bell
IN ring for Marie to dress me now:
it is really late" she said listlessly, show
ing none Of that excitement presumed
by the inezpert to belong to prepare
tons on the feminine side for the great
event of life l...
Gan do nothing morel" Edith ask
ed. still lingering. Then |, too, must
go and prepare for the-sacrifice!"
The word fell slowly from her lips;
but, if meant for cue, Bonnie did not
pick it up She only said gently:
II did not call it that, dear. Now kiss
mo and go dress" g..
Miss Van der Huysen Kissed her friend
on the chee!l-one Of those feminine
kisses that may mean a whole world Of
affection yet would differ nothing in
outward show did it carry poison to the
lips of an inconvenient rival Then she
crossed the hall to her own apartment,
holding the little letter in her hand. But
as she went she turned it over nervous
", as though it were hot and burned her
fingers,
In her own room she, too, turned the
rarely used key, threw herself into an
armchair and leaned back with half
closed eyes: but through the lsshes
cleaned the dark light of busy thought
Twice she raised the little envelope,
staring hard at it then, rs if she had
settled her point, tossed it on the bed and
went methodically about her toilet.
Half undressed she paused abruptly
and again took up the note. turning it
over in her hands; the glory Of her
splendid hair ripping far down the
cleaning satin of bare. sleek shoulders
and slim, rounded arms, model for
Venus, framing the rich face, through
whose flushed olive burned eyes OF fiery
biackness.
"Dale Everettr she said in hard, bit
ter voice the world never heard. Poor
child! she'd have me think It's bel l
was never so near such mistake before
But, if she spoke truth to Dale. why
should her last words be to him? But
now know the charm of woven PAGES
and Of waving handsr What Is the
worth of knowing, thought
She stood erect, the light, soft drapery
emphasizing her perfection Of curve and
dark feature. Witt eyes aiming into
space she raised her hand IN menacing
gesture, defiant, uncanny, suggestive OF
Pythoness in pose and in regard As
she stood thus wheels ground the gravel