San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-05

"
$50, strr' exclaimed my father; you
haze come to claim your bride"
Mr.. Dale will be here early next
week"
Aunt Helen shifted uneasily in her
chair. u don't know what your father
would say to that. He disapproves of
your intimacy with Mr.. Dale"
Il know it, Aunt Helen. He is preju-
diced against him"
Mr.. Dale is certainly a very con-
slant young man." she replied.
My heart gave bound. Her remarks
before had been rather in the form of
criticisms than regular objections.
laid down my work with the resolve to
throw myself on her mercy.
Aunt Helen, why is it that all of you
are so opposed to Mr.. Dale?"
Opposed! Well, dear, should hardly
call it that" said my aunt. Your
father has an idea, believe, that Mr..
Dale is mercenary in his views. What
foundation for it he may have do not
know. AS for myself, | cannot say /
am opposed, for l scarcely know the
young man.
MY father is unjust" | said, with
tears in my eyes.
1T may be, dear. Very likely he
would own himself that it was merely
an impression but it is only right that
he should watch over your interests care
fully.
is it watching over my interests to
cast suspicion on the motives of one of
my best friends?"
1T will all come right in the end,
dear"
He is noble and high minded. No one
shall say anything against him in my
presence" cried fiercely.
Ny aunt snoothed out the lap of her
dress refiectiyely. You are quite justi-
fed in standing up for your friend, Vir-
ginia. No one can blame you for that.
have no doubt this young Dale is all
you describe him to be. Only" she
added, with an apologetic cough, "be
discreet. Some persons, perhaps, would
wish 10 be better informed before ceas-
inc to feel uneasy. believe, though, in
trusting to girls OWE instinct in these
matters: it rarely goes astray. If my
parents hal followed that course,
might have been more happy.
She raiHed her handi:erchi to nereyes
to stay tear, and with an impulse of
gratitude and pity | went to her and
kissed her
Yes, SIC murnUr9u, acknowledging
my sympathy with pressure of the
hand, when was just about your age
there was a young man who was very
fond of me, and liked him. He wished
to marry me-"
"And your father objected to him"
He thought we were too young. He
insisted upon our waiting until we had
more money. So we did, and he fell
into bad habits, and-and we drifted
apart. 1t is long story"
"Oh, Aunt Helen, am very sorry"
Thank you, dear. should never
have told you except to show that
could sympathize with you. Only, as
have said, be discreet. 1t is a serious
responsibility for me to assume. hope
you will take no decisive steps without
consulting your father. Kiss me, Vir-
ginia.
We embraced with fervor, and l was
sure that had gained an ally.
Mr.. Dale arrived on the expected day
and was kindly welcomed by my aunt,
who asked him to stay to tea. 1t was a
superb evening, and he proposed that we
should go out on the water as was the
custom at Tinker's Reach.
He had been an accomplished oar in
college, and dozen strokes sent the
light boat skimming beyond the bevy of
similar craft by which we were sur
rounded. The sea was calm as a mill
pond and the moon was at the full. /
lay back with my face turned to the
heavens and my fingers trailing in the
cool water. Mr.. Dale rowed on until
the lights on shore seemed mere specks,
and we could just perceive the gentle
roll of the Atlantic swell. He rested on
his oars and listened. The voices of the
others were lost in the distance, and only
the tinkle of a banjo waited from afar
broke the nights tranquility. The water
was alive with phosphorescence that
sparkled like gems around the blades.
We had neither of Us spoken since
starting. know not what were his
fho11 - 1out nina wera f1ll Of haDDl-