San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-20

taken mine, and strong arm had sup
ported me tenderly as ] stood, almost
convulsed with grief, beside the open
grave. In my misery | forgot our es-
arrangement, and as he led me back to
the carriage and took seat beside me i
cried out impulsively, ooh, Frank, my
heart is brokenr' and leaned my head
apon niSSsScSi<Ses st.i,i 1es,. u,s incurred
there as if / was a child once more and
he the old time champion and comforter.
He went with me home and remained
till all the rest had gone. Then when
we were alone he said to me:
II leave this place tomorrow, Lillian,
and wanted to be sure, before going,
that you are not in any want or diff.
Guilty. You are very young to be left
without protection or advice, and if
there is anything that l can do to serve
you should be glad to do it, for-for
old friendships sake"
Iraised my eyes to his face and as l
saw how it had changed-being older,
graver, paler and more worn, and thought
Of how it was II who loved him, who
had caused his uffering-suddenly the
dear features swan before me and
could no longer see him for the mist of
my repentant tears.
"If you could forgive me for the wrong
did to you," cried.
But he stopped me:
1--WE will not even speak of that. 1t
is over. Let me forget it if can-think
of me today as your old friend-a most
true one-and believe that | wish to
serve you if l can. May l know what
are your plans for the future?"
81 have none," answered in burst
of misery. Poor papa had plans for
me and left expressed wishes for me,
which it is of course my duty to obey,
if only for Eddie's sake" l rose and
took Alfred's letter from my desk. "Mr.
Carsons letter viii explain if You will
read it," said. at is nothing private"
He shrank at first as if from poison,
but changed his mind and took it from
my hand. "You don't keep it in your
bosom OF next your heart" he remarked
quietly.
"Nop l cried, almost involuntarily.
II don't keep even the writer there,
much less his letters!" Then, as felt
my face crimson under his searching
eyes, added, 80 much the worse for
me, since he is to be my husband" at
which he turned his eyes away and read
the letter.
HE says nothing about Eddie" he re-
marked, returning it. what will you
do with him."
"Do with him?' / looked up, quite
startled; "keep him with me always-it
was papa's dying WISH
"But your-your husband may OBJ
ject."
"Then he will never be my husband"
I answered, hotly. Eddie is delicate
child; he would pine and sicken among
strangers; l will not marry any man
who wishes to take him from me!'
He was silent for time, considering;
then he said, 81 don't see that l can
serve you in any way at present, nor
perhaps ever; but / will leave you my
address in the city. If ever you need a
friend send to me-not otherwise. Now,
good-by."
He held out his hands. l gave him
mine, and we stood for one moment
looking into each others eyes. He was
leaving me, the man / loved perhaps
forever. A thought flashed through my
heart-I would not lose him! Iput the
card he had given me into my bosom.
81 shall need it some day." | said.
He caught me in his arms Good
by" he said; never send for me unless
you really need me; could not bear to
see you that mans wife! Not that |
envy him, for you don't love him; you
are treating him worse than mel Good
by foreverl"
After he was gone 1 cried a little
while, but less bitterly than before.
There was CLEAN of hope in my heart
that comforted me. That evening de-
voted to dear little Eddie; next IN rning
| wrote long, long letter-the longest
and most serious | had ever written in
my life-to Alfred Carson.
WAITED for the answer with feverish
impotence; went down to the post
Office every afternoon. One afternoon
as was returning, dispirited and sad,
from fruitless quest saw him standing
in our garden waiting for me- He had
brought me in person reply.
One month later saw a change indeed.
rented the cottage-it made me too sad
to stay there without papa-for $50 a
month; and with that sum in my posses
sion, together with what remained Of
my hundred dollars, came over to New
York and took two nice little rooms for
Eddie and To keen house in