San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-05-11

gloated silently over the gentle beauty of
the May fields and woods, the systematic
labor of man and beast, the pleasing re-
suits of natures largesse smiling ON human
method. But as they were coming home,
he cleared up his throat, Strengthened his
lank form, relaxed his thin lips into an un-
gentle smile, and said:
"Mr. Holcombe, you know have been
your legal adviser for several years, and in
addition to becoming interested in your
business affairs | have become deeply in
terested in yourself personally and in your
family. When Angelina was little girl
became attracted to her by the promise of
noble womanhood that recognized in her.
Scarcely admitting to myself a power of
attachment to one SO young, / have yet, in
all this time, never once thought of max
ing any one else Mrs. Trappe. She is
eighteen this month, l think; her school
days are over. l have waited long. I
would like to have your permission to offer
myself to her."
At his second sentence the farmers
bride had dropped slack; at his last, the
gray mare was jogging along at her will,
cropping sometimes the tall grasses while
her master sat moveless in the saddle,
paralyzed with wonderment and staring
open mouthed at the man of law. The
length of Trappe's speech alone might have
produced half this effect, for he had never
before made so long a one to the farmer.
But Trappe in love with Angelinel
Through his establishment, laughter, scorn,
respect, struggled for dominance. But soon
he drew up his bride and regained him
self. Why should he laughg 1t was an
earnest offer, and though the man was
middle aged, lean and glum, yet many a
handsome young woman had married an
older and uglier. Why should he feel dis
dainful? This was not so mean sutton as
to be spurned. Many maiden of good
family might smile on Squire Trappe,
who, although his practice had, until last
year, been so limited as TO afford him but
the slimmest income, was now judge of the
county court, and looking perhaps upon a
fine career opening up to him. Besides,
who possessed greater learning than the
Squire? And surely learning was to be
reverenced.
So it was at last, with his usual respect
full bearing toward the other, that he said:
"Well, Squire, this is so unexpected that
don't know what to say. You can speak
to Angie. I've always declared that she
should he free of choice"
"But may say that have your favor9"
asked Zeno.
Mr.. Holcombe hesitated, looking across
the broad river to the deep canebrakes on
the other side. Had the squire his favor
| really? Was this the husband he would
choose for his pretty, gentle Angelina?
At last he answered, "This matter shan't
60 by any favor except her own"
"But, you know" urged the other,
"maidens seldom have the wisdom to
choose well. What if she prefers that i'm
pudent young rattle tongue? / am sorry
the impertinent fellow is related to you, sir,
for in my opinion he is not what he claims
to be-"
eff you mean Richard Forrest, Mr..
Trappe, he is my cousin and bears a fine
name haven't thought About Angles
falling in love with him, and / don't be-
lieve she's thought about it herself"
"But what if she has done it without
thinking about it? May hope that you
| will put an end to the folly?"
"If Richard should ask for my daugh-
ters hand, +" returned the farmer with sud
den fire, che shall have my answer You
are not supposed to be the bearer of it."
"Then," said Zeno Trappe with slow,
deep bitterness, look yonder." Their
horses were ambling leisurely down a
messy path and the lawyer was pointing
to a sylvan bower formed by a wild big
nonia vine lGaping again and again from
one to another of a clump of poplars. Be-
meath this shade sat young man and a
maiden. Two pair of eyes were reading
from the same book, and Angeline's fair
hair was blowing over Richards shoulder
Mr. HolcOmbe Redeemed with veXation
The crafty attorney determined to push his
advantage.
"Now, sir, it is easy for you to end all
that, and send the bold impostor on his
way. He is nothing but a fortune seeker"
"He's come to goats house to get wool
if he is seeking fortune round me-" re-
joined Holcombe. tartly.
"Well, you cannot fail to know that to a
beggar your estate must seem princely,"
went on Zeno, again showing his strong
yellow teeth. and looking out of the corners
of his eyes toward the well filled barns they
were then riding by And let me tell you,
Mr. Holcombe, this man is scarcely more
than a mendicant. He comes to you press
ing his claim of kinship and representing
himself as member of The Courier staff
out on a short holiday for his health. OF
course he stays when you give him so cord
ial welcome and ne finds himself in the
most comfortable home and the most en-
chanting companionship in the world. He
stays and my doubts slowly arise.
"What? an editor leave his Office for six
weeks-nay, indefinitely, it begins to APP
pear-at this momentous period on the
plea of i'll health. when his appetite is
superb, and he can ride, fish, row, swim,
talk, sing, from sunrise until bedtimeS
Suspicion follows doubt, and for your sake
alone determine to ascertain the truth.
wrote to The Courier's leading editor a
= l. Il 4