San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-11-18
NJ 0 N As CHOICE
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.

whisper in which he usually spoke intensi-
fied-"tell me, what does she make you
pay her for living here"
"She does not charge me anything. l
pay my share of our food and fire-that is
all"
"Ahl and she is no of your blood"
"No; I came to know her seven or eight
years ago, as l told you"
"It is just wonderful he CALCULATED,
and sat silent for some time, with a curl
his face.
Then the prim figure OF Jane appeared,
and she proceeded to lay the cloth.
The dinner was very successful. Uncle
Sandy was exceeding communicative as to
what he might and might not eat. Atfirst
he said he would take nothing but cold
water to drink; then he fancied there was
a slight taste-he could not exactly define
what-in the water and when he per-
ceived this, he had always been warned to
qualify the water with a drop of spirits.
He supposed they hadn't any whisky No;
we'll he would do with triie of brandy.
''rhe next time l come to see ye," he said,
with an air of great generosity, 'Pll bring
you bottle of real good stuff-it's far
wholesomer than brandy" He seemed to
enjoy his repast, and afterward made
many inquiries into Nine. Debrisay's his
tory. He was also profoundly interested
in the prices current of all articles of con-
sumption in London. Then, noticing the
piano, he begged his niece to sing him a
song. She complied. Before she was half
through 1t he stopped her by observing that
he had an uncommon ear for music, but
that it must be Scotch music. So Mona
changed her tune to "Ohl vert thou in the
cauld blast" which gave him great de-
light. He nodded his head and tapped the
carpet with his stick in time to the music,
and declared with feeble energy, that there
were no songs like Scotch songs-no in
telligence comparable to that of S,otSmen
no church system like that of Scotland.
Then he looked at his watch. and said he
was sorry, but he must leave them; that it
was the only cheerful afternoon he had
spent since he came to London, and ex-
pressed his resolution to look for lodgings
in their neighbOrhOOd.
"Pray, let me get you a cab," said Mona
"You will be so very tired walking all the
way to the station second time"
"Hoot, toOt! | am stronger since lately,
hire cabs everywhere Igo Nav, nav! I'll
Just walk to the station. have my ticket
to Cover street, and will get on fine from
that for tiPpence Goodbye, my lassie.
I'll no. forget how We helpit your uncle.
Goodbye to you, mem May beyou'n help
me to find a respectable lodging. | can't
come again till the day after tomorrow,
for have to see the doctor; but If it is any
way fine, I'll not fail you"
Mona went out to open the garden gate
for him, and watched him hobbling down
the road for moment or two, and then
returned to Nine. DeOrisay.
"What an extraordinary encounter"
cried Mona, throwing herself into corner
of the sofa, and laughing unrestrainedly.
81 imagine Uncle Sandy Is a character,
and really am sorry for his i'll health and
loneliness; but am afraid he will be rather
a bore if he settles near us. He seems to
have fascinated you, Dear Deb"
Poor creature. did feel for him, and
/ think he is naturally a very superior man.
But, Mona, me child, it's for your sake l
spoke. Now Providence has thrown him
in your way, don't want you to lose your
hold on him. Keep him by you, DEAR and
| he will leave you all his money. No one
can provide much for old age by teaching,
| and you must think of the future, ma belle"
"YOu wicked, grasping D9bv' she eX-
| claimed. "YOu want to turn me into a
| legacy hunter! / assure you will be kind
and attentive to my poor fathers brother,
| whether he has a cottage or castle. He
will probably not stay here long, and we
| may as well make him happy. He must
| have had a dull life. 1t must be very hard
to feel life slipping away before you have
known enjoyment"
"Ah, my dear; don't you be dOwncast-
| times will mend"
A few more days brought them to Au-
| gust. The last lesson had been given, and
| both Mona and Nine Debrisay were look
| ing forward to a rest well earned, when a
! letter arrived from Mr.. Craig, written in
what had been business hand, now run
| to seed, and exceedingly shaky.
He had been, he said, exceedingly I'M
well, and confined to the house with bad
| cold; that he was now considerably better,
and proposed calling on Wednesday first,
| when he hoped his niece and her friend
| the photography OF whose name had
| escaped him-would assiSt in finding him
suitable lodgings, as his present abode was
| cold and damp. and most prejudicial 10 his
| peculiar condition"
| "wednesday firstl" repeated Mona.
"Does he mean Wednesday nextf-that
| will be to morrow"
HE will come just in the nick of timeP'
exclaimed Nine. Debrisay. HE is the
very man for the rooms upstairs, and they
are the rooms for him. Now, leave every
| thing to me-"
Every well, dear, know you only want
| to serve me-"
Nine. Debrisay lost no time in advising
Mrs. Puddiford to put the rooms in order,