San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-05
A Romantic Young Lady
BY GEORGE GRANT.

must necessarily understand business
matters. | come to you for advice. |
want you to tell me what to buy. ! will
give you the money, and when you think
it time to sell | will authorize you to do
so. You see am not entirely ignorant
myself"
Roger Dale gave short laugh and
made no response for a moment. 1T
wouldn't do" he said at last, shaking his
mead "What would your father say if
he heard of it? He doesn't have any too
high an opinion of me already, fancy"
But, Mr.. Dale, that would be the
very way to prove to him that you are a
practical business man. If my father
were to take you into his confidence he
could push you ahead very fast, | know,
will show him the profits of your in
vestments and bestow the credit where
it belongs"
The idea seemed to amuse him, for he
laughed again. You seem to forget,
Miss Harlan, that instead of profits you
might lose it all"
That would be impossible. have
too much confidence in your judgment
to fear any such result" | answered
sweetly, led away by the eagerness felt
to obtain his consent to the project,
He gave me a swift sidelong glance
that made me tremble and set my heart
fiuttering, though did not know why.
Besides" | said speaking fast and
feverishly, the money is mine. have
a right to do what please with it."
There was pause, and then he said
with the same glance, only longer and
intenser than before, Miss Harlan, |
cannot accept such responsibility un-
less you give it to me forever"
was stunned. | had brought this
upon myself could see plainly, now
that it was too late. My undignifed, I'M
| feminine conduct stood out before me
the moment he had spoken, in all its
| notifying nakedness. He had mistaken
my meaning, but it was l who was to
blame for the error Inundated and
confused, was at loss for words; but
| reply was necessary.
"You have misunderstood me entirely,
Mr. Dale. Let US change the subject, if
you please, said with dignity.
Fortunately some one came in just at
this moment, and Mr.. Dale shortly rose
to go. But he dared in taking leave to
look at me again in the manner have
described, and in spite of my will and
desire my eyes fell as they encountered
| his.
We did not meet again, much to my
| relief, before | left town. | was in a
harassing state of mind, and happiness
alternated in my thoughts with despair.
For a terrible secret had dawned upon
| me-terrible, because foresaw the pain
| full consequences which would result
therefrom. loved Roger Dale. TWAS
| useless to disguise it longer from myself
His words had made the truth manifest
and that which | fancied friendship was
become mutual passion. Any NORTH
cation | may have felt at having I'M
Willingly prompted the speech that had
filed my heart with JOY was nullified
by the consciousness that was beloved.
But the thought of Drawing the oppo-
sition of my family distressed me be-
yond measure, as it must needs distress
any conscientious girl in a similar posi-
ton. My instincts told me that it was
vain to hope that they would relent
Their objections were baseless, but none
the less knew that they would prove
insuperable. found myself face to face
with dilemma fraught with unhappi-
ness which ever way l should solve it.
What was there to aIege against Mr..
Dale? Nothing. He was poor. Bus
what of that? My father had money
enough for us both. Why need he mar
by cruel suspicious and prejudices this
great joy of my life? | remember to
have wondered sometimes that girls
could marry contrary to the consent of
their parents, but it seemed to me now
that no one could sacrifice an attach
ment as strong as mine to blind author
ity without doing wrong to the eternal
principles of love and honor. | vowed
in secret that if Roger Dale should prove
as true to me as would be to him moth
ing should keep US apart.
CHAPTER V.