San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-03-02
MONIC
A LOVE STORY OF MODERN DAYS
By the Author of "Mona Scllly," "Ao
cused" &C., DC.


| coauetrIes and painted cneeKs andeyes. IL
| is hOrribler'
81 mover thought you were such fool,
Edith" saws Madame O'Connor, with the
greatest sweetness.
"You may think as you will, Gertrude,
responds Mrs. Fitzgerald, with her faded air
of juyenility sadly lost in her agitation, and
shaking her head nervously, as though af-
ficted with sudden touch OF palsy that &C
cords dismally with her youthful attire.
'.But shall cling to my own opinions And
utterly disapprovs Of Mrs. Bohun."
"For me-" says Bella, vindictively, II be-
Iieve her capable of anything. can't bear
those women who laugh at nothing, and
powder themselves every half-hour."
"You shouldn't throw stones, Bella, % says
honest Madame OConnOr, now nearly at
the end Of her patience. "Your glass house
will be shivered If you do. Before took to
censuring other people I'd look in mirror,
If were you"
II don't understand you," says Miss Fitz-
gerald, turning rather pale.
THAT'S because you won't look in the
mirror. Why, there's enough powder on
your right ear, my dear, to whiten Moor p
81 never" begins Bella, in stricken
tone; but Madame O'Connor stops her.
Nonsense! sure Pm looking at it." she
says.
This hanging evidence is not to be con-
futed. For moment the fair Bella feels
crushed; then she rallies nobly, and, after
whitening her terrified mother with glance,
sweeps from the room, followed at re-
Spectful distance by Mrs. Fitzgerald, and
quite closely by Madame, who declines to
see she has given offense in any way.
AS they go, Mrs. Fitzgerald keeps up a
twitter, in the hope of propitiating the
wrathful goddess on before.
Eyes, yes, still think young Ronayne
should be warned; she is very designing,
very, and he is very soft-hearted." She had
believed in young Ronayne at one time, and
dad brought herself to look upon him as a
possible son-in-law, until this terrible Mrs.
Bohun had cast glamour over him. "Yes,
YES, one feels it quite ones duty to let him
know how she gets herself up. His eyes
should be opened to the rouge and the Egyp-
tan eye-stuff."
While she is mumbling all this, they come
into a square landing, off which two rooms
open. Both are brilliantly lighted and have
been turned into coZy boudoirs for the &C.
caSiOn.
In one of them, only half concealed by a
looped curtain from those without, stand
two figures, Olga Bohun and the poor lad
who is to have his eyes opened.
They are as wide open at present as any
one can desire, and are staring thoughtfully
at the willy widow, who is gazing back just
as earnestly into them. Both he and Olga
are standing very close together beneath tho
chandelier, and seem to be scanning each
others features with the keenest scrutiny.
So remarkable is their demeanor, thaSnot
only Bella but her mother and Madame
O'Connor refrain from further motion, to
gaze at them with growing curiosity.
There is nothing sentimental about their
attitude; far from it; nothing even vaguely
suggestive of tenderness. There is only an
unmistakable anxiety that deepens every
instant.
"You are sureg' said Olga, solemnly.
"Certain? Don't decide in hurry. Look
again."
He looks again. -,
"Well, perhdpsi A very little less would
be sufficient" he says, with hesitation,
standing back to examine her countenance
more safely.
There see how careless you can beW
says Olga, reproachfully. Nov, take it off
with this, but lightly, very lightly"
AS she speaks, she hands him her hand
kerchief, and, to the CONSERVATION of the
three watchers outside, he takes it, and with
the gentlest touch rubs her cheeks with it,
first the one, and the other.
When he has finished this performance,
both he and she stare at the handkerchief
meditatively.
81 doubt you have taken it all off," she
says, plaintively. II couldn't have put more
than that on, and surely the handkerchief
has no need of a complexion; whilst 1t
must be all gone now, and was whittier
than this bit of cambria when l put it on.
Had better run up to my room again,
Or"
ooh. no. You are all right; indeed you
are. I'd o'y so at once if you weren't"
says Ronayne, reassuringly. You are
looking as lovely as dream"
'And my eyeS?"
"Are beautifully done. No one on earth
could find you out" says Ulc, comfortably;
after which they both laughed merrily, and,
quitting the impromptu boudoir, go down to
the ballroom.
Mrs Fitzgerald shows a faint disposition
to sob, as they pass out of sight. Madame
O'Connor is consumed with laughter.
Il don't think should trouble myself to
open that poor young Ronayne's' eyes, if
were you, Edith" she says, with tears of
suppressed amusement in her eyes.
HE is lostp says Mrs. Fitzgerald with a
groan; but whether she means to Bella or to
decency never transpires.
CHAPTER XIII.
The day is near: the darkest hour that