San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-17

with Uacc ana deiicacy OF expression
that added beauty to the gift.
"You look busy" said Windward.
eyes. Reading 'em over. Brushing
'em up. Never say der
Louise smiled her approval of such
good pluck. lit must be tedious" she
said
''No, miss" the agent replied. Every
interesting. Queer people, claimants.
Hopeful. Fretful. Can't spellT' and he
handed her one or two of the neatly tied
packages to examine. She, however,
was more interested in the man than in
the documents.
you are comfortable, l hope" she
said, seating herself by the side of the
lounge where-after an excuse for his
intirmity-the agent was now again re-
clining, holding the flowers in his serv-
iceable hand.
Her tone of sympathy and ministra-
ton suggested to Windward that posi-
bly, she might prefer to speak a few
words of help and kindness without an
audience; hence he excused himself for
a moment and passed through the opened
folding doors to the rear Office, where
the assistant was busting the pigeon
holes and rearranging the papers.
He is going through them systemati-
cally," remarked the assistant. HE
has got to G. It's tedious, though.
Look at this package-one claim. There
are twenty or thirty letters in that
single bundle"
81 know" said Windward, I've done
little searching myself" Then he
picked up a package at random and
turned over its letters while the assist
ant brushed and slapped and sorted the
dusty files.
Meanwhile a conversation of great
consequence had begun in the front
room.
Miss Sheffield-Sheffield McArdle's
niece" said the agent. That's familiar
somehow. I've heard-read something"
You know my uncle, believe" she
replied; land I've no doubt you remem-
Der dear old Tom Bassett."
"Oh, yes, yes" exclaimed the agent,
Frightening up and looking at his visitor
with much interest. You're the girl
lady, should say. All grow! Yes! yes!
You the little claimant! Quite romantic!
Adopted! Very interestingr'
"Sir?' exclaimed Louise, puzzled and
doubtful if she had understood Alright
his muffled and broken phrases.
"Ah, can't talk!" exclaimed the in
valid sadly. Adopted! Shefields-
kind peopler'
By supreme effort she repressed her
surprise and alarm. What was the mis-
understanding? What could he mean?
Windward's stumbling reference and
awkward explanation flashed back upon
her mind She claimant? The Shelf
fields-kind people" Adopted" These
were strange, startling words. Was it
possible? OF course not; but she would,
she must, ascertain what this strange
man meant. And she would be calm.
Any exhibition of wonder, ignorance,
VI dSlISAllOn LlASut Sceht Ills hpos
Fortunately for her purpose, the in
valid, though he noticed her confusion,
attributed it to embarrassment springing
from an inability to understand him.
''Ah, can't talk" he repeated regret
fully. Excuse me; I'll WRITE" saying
which he laid down the bouquet and
reached for his tablet. Then propping
himself up on the lounge, he s7Tibbl"l
rapidly moment, while Louise, sick
and weak with mysterious f'"-N, took
the bouquet hastily and burie :or fa .
in the flowers to gain support from their
pungent odors-
With smile of interest and curiosity
he now paused and handed her the tab
let. He had written upon it the follow
ing:
l suppose you are Mrs Sheffieid's adopted
daughter. I've just been reading about It in
Tom Bassetts correspondence with Mr.. Caus-
ten, my predecessor. Very interesting
She gave a little smothered cry, her
cheeks faded, her breath came quick and
unsteadily, she grew dizzy, the walls
spun around, she heard the invalid shout
for help; then darkness blotted out the
world. When she awoke she found
Windward at her side, the agent bend
ing over her AMI the assistant bringing
e,>,,, h. s;IaIS<arl