San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-24

~ my VII TIC IODC
"Ethel," said he. 81 want you to-
that is-iook here, Ethel, IL love
you"
/ was rather surprised, so I drew back
httle-buJ in a moment / realized the
situation ard thrilled and blushed with
pleasure. l have already said that
grew much prettier in my second win
ter, and dare say that just then l was
very pleasurable sight; at any rate poor
Penny appeared to think so, for he drop
ped the reins and extended both hands
to me, calling out:
"Oh, do say yes! do say yes! l shall
be broken hearted if you don'tw
l breathed rather quickly, and then
leaned toward him with smile, which
l suppose he considered to be quite suf-
were about me. Why are mems arms so
awfully big when they have on their
overcoats and gloves. felt as if were
in the embrace of an affectionate bear,
and | gave hysterical little giggle as
the thought occurred to me, and then |
felt perfectly happy.
But there remains something else to be
told before begin to recount the expe-
riences of MY married life.
The next evening l was seated all
alone in our little parlor contemplating
a basket of lovely roses which Penny
had sent me. | was alone, because |
had insisted that he should go to din
ner at Mrs. Feedham's, though he want
ed to stay away, and was now enjoy
ing myself by fancying the manner in
which the news of our engagement
would be received-I had resolved to an
nounce it on the night of the second as
sembly, of course. | had insnared my
promesso sposo very quietly. Several
girls had congratulated me on my sup
posed engagement to Mr.. Boullter, but
nobody had suspected the true state of
affairs. So much wrapped up was in
my contemplation that must have en-
tirely forgotten to say that was not at
home, and if l did hear the door bell
ring it could have made no impression
on me, for l suddenly looked up to see
Bran himself closing the parlor door be-
hind him. | rose somewhat abruptly,
and began to consider whether | could,
ask him TO excuse me. Ny eye was
caught by something unusual in his APP
pearance, and l looked at him attentive
ly. He was not in evening dress, thing
remarkable in itself, and his hair was
little more tumbled than usual, but |
chiefly noticed a sort of determined look
about his face. He came quickly for
ward and took my hand, which he
pressed eagerly.
My dear little girl" he .said-my
heart gave leap and then-sank.
knew what was going to happen. my
dear little girl!' he repeated, Il say that
to you, Ethel, because I'm in love with
you" Then he paused for a moment
and went on, Il won't say it again if
you object, you know"
'Mr. Boullter," said |, as calmly as
possible, I'm very sorry to hear you
say so, and think had better tell you
that am engaged.
"Oh, heavenS!' he said, starting and
looking awfullY taken aback, you don't
say that-you don't mean to say you're
engaged to somebody else, do you?"
Il am engaged to Mr.. Charter" said l.
Now don't get up" he said quickly.
Let me speak to you for a minute, you
know. dare say oughtn't to ask you
to do it, but 'you needn't fear personal
violence. ahr'n't break the furniture
or do any high tragedy"
| made up my mind to listen, and he
went on, looking away from me and !
clenching his hands together.
You see" he said, Il expected that
you would say that wasn't good enough,
or that | was too COMPOUNDED lazy, or
that you would prefer more first class
article-and l thought that | might
argue the point with you and get yOu to
give Inc u Chancc-but to find you en-
Gagged to another man is bewildeI$hg. |
didn't want to fall in love, you see, and
| had been laying myself out to cure my
self al winter; but last night | saw you,
and, by Joye! | couldn't stand it. And
today l argued it all over with myself:
and | staid away from Mrs. Feedham's
"a ullCI bC'4uAe HetTu you WeTeu 90
ing, and came to see you. Well" sail |
he, with a big sigh, Penny Charter is
good fellow-and devlish lucky man! |
Don't be too sorry for me; dare say that |
my trivial nature will soon recover; and |
if may please you to hear that you're the |
only girl L ever proposed toll take an
affidavit to it, if you like. l have sue
.umbed at last. My scalp is gone and
my glory has departed. Goodbye"
| think there was tear in my own
sye as l shook hands with him, and /
know that his glistened. AS the front
loor shut behind him never felt more
ike crying in my life, Not that had